Can Righteousness Be Legislated?

Congratulations to the residents of the United States on the inauguration of their 47th President – Donald Trump.

One of the many headlines we’ve seen recently revolves around significant changes in the religious and political landscape of the US. Some executive orders have been released, which many Christians believe might help redirect the country back to a path of righteousness. However, this raises an important question: Can righteousness actually be legislated? If not, what is the role of Christians in politics?

The Nature of Law

The Law refers to a set of rules and regulations established by a governing authority and designed to maintain order, ensure justice, and guide how individuals within a society interact with each other. While laws can influence behaviours, can they truly transform hearts?

God through Moses instituted the law for Israel as a country. Did it make them become righteous? No. Paul states explicitly in Romans 10:1-3 that he prays for his fellow Israelites that they may be saved because they have zeal without knowledge ” for they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”

The Law in the Bible: A Schoolmaster to Christ

The Bible tells us that the law of Moses as written in the scriptures was just a schoolmaster meant to lead the people of Israel to Christ. Galatians 3:24, states, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith.” God knew that legislation alone would not make any country righteous. Otherwise, Israel would have been a righteous country and Jesus would not need to come. The Bible says in Romans 3:20, “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” This tells us that while there is a role for the law, the road to righteousness does not come from the law; it comes through Christ.

The Purpose of the Law

So, what then is the purpose of the law? The Bible says that the whole purpose of the law was so we could see how unrighteous we are and how we need salvation. In Romans 7:7, it says, “What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law.” Then, we would turn to Christ and be saved. So the law helps to show people where they are wrong.

God’s Eternal Plan

To explore this, let’s cast our minds back to the Bible. What is God’s original plan? In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God tells us His mindset: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” This reveals God’s desire for people to know Him out of fellowship, not out of force. He wants people to love Him for who He is and for His love for them, not out of fear.

The Role of Christians in Politics: Balancing Legislation and Evangelism

Does this mean Christians should avoid politics and leave the lawmaking to others? Absolutely not. If we do that, the nation would descend into anarchy and self-destruction, as seen in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah. Believers would still lose out.

As Christians, we must advocate for laws that uphold righteousness and justice. But we cannot place our ultimate hope in legislation to transform a nation. God’s kingdom is not of this World and is not in a physical or geographical space but spreads in the hearts of people everywhere.

Beyond the politics of men, spiritual birth and true righteousness is a work of the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the Word of God in love. It cannot be enforced by human effort but granted to those who willingly surrender their hearts to Christ.

Conclusion

While it is very pertinent to push for legislation that defend and promote godly principles, we must never lose focus on the higher calling: to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and keep praying for the hearts of the people to be truly transformed by God’s love. Only then can we see true righteousness, and this is the righteousness that exalts a nation.