28th December 2025
It doesn’t take much to be cynical of the political processes under which we live or of the moral character of those who hold such power in countries of the world. Over the last few weeks, I have been reading and noting the criticisms, cronyism, corruption of politicians and the political process, and of the abuse of police and judicial power around the world – and so many countries are mentioned. I think I can spot the difference between political bias where one seems implacably against the ‘other side’ and the actual behaviour that is extra-judicial or simply illegal – but maybe I can’t – because it is a blessing indeed to live where there is a subscription to the rule of law and there is relative peace in one’s land. Nevertheless the cry of people for justice and for peace is as old as Abel’s blood crying out from the ground and many people will have used or cried out the sentiments of Psalm 94 where God’s people cry out for relief from those who oppress them.
In our Bible Studies we have been looking at the Lutheran understanding of the ‘The Two Kingdoms’ and how God is Lord of both the Church and the State but works differently in both and has different goals for both – complementary, of course, to achieve God’s overall purpose that we live well with him now and always. That living involves living in our postcode and country with justice and a rule of law where even those with authority are held accountable otherwise we live in versions of the survival of the fittest (or most wealthy or well-armed or well-connected and are privileged by both or circumstance). This living also involves the Church not exercising worldly dominion but serving her members and the world with Law and Gospel and living under God whose grace, mercy, and love has recreated people to still be us but now our real identity is ‘in Christ’. This is where we get the ideas of ‘in the world but not of the world’.
When Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy, Nero was the Emperor – and he was hardly a paragon of political virtue. Nevertheless Paul reminded Timothy to pray for those in authority. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1,2 ESV).We believe that the goal of those with political authority is for people to live a peaceful and quiet life! Of course, it is not easy in this world – hence the need for capable people of intelligence and integrity to have such authority – hence the need for our prayers! And if God is calling someone to such a role then may they serve well there. But it always remains fraught with problems, factions, and temptations for them. Similarly how involved we are politically depends on our circumstances and interests but we should not so unaware of our political environment that we know nothing – because then we wouldn’t know for what we should pray!
I’m not sure whether to view 2026 in a more positive or negative light with regards to political well being that produces ‘a ‘peaceful and quiet life’ on this day when we commemorate The Holy Innocents, Martyrs – the little boys and their families who suffered at the hands of the politics of the time because Jesus was born. What I can do is not regard politicians as ‘saviours’, not regard the political processes as producing ‘heaven on earth’, and pray for all who have authority – especially political authority – to come to see that in serving (rather than self serving) we have the best possibility of living ‘a peaceful and quiet life’. What I can do is know the laws of the land and then follow Jesus first. (Just because something isn’t illegal doesn’t mean I may do it and there may be a circumstance when I must “obey God rather than men” – Acts 5:29.) My goal remains always growing in Christ and increasingly rejoicing in God’s goodness as I/we serve those around us. May this be so for 2026 – and always!
GS