In the last two articles I’ve been discussing the question, ‘Should Christians serve in government?’ We’ve already looked at Joseph and how he was used by God to serve in Egyptian government. Today’s article will look at Daniel.

Daniel was a faithful follower of the one true God and consistently lived out his faith. And he did so for much of his life as a government official. He was appointed ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon. Plucked from his home in Judea and thrown into the corridors of elite Babylonian life and its heathen culture, Daniel used his gifts to serve both God and the Babylonian Empire. Babylon had a worldview completely different than what Daniel held, yet he had an opportunity to live for God in a government role to great effect.

King Nebuchadnezzar watched Daniel closely and how he served him and the empire. As a result, Nebuchadnezzar learned about the true God. Watching Daniel’s godly lifestyle along with the divine fiery furnace miracle with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, Nebuchadnezzar made a law that no one could speak against the God of Israel.  Daniel’s impact was unique to all of history because he served in two consecutive empires: the Babylonian and the Persian. In Persia, Daniel also held the position of a high-ranking official under King Darius and later under King Cyrus. Similar to Babylon, Daniel found a competing worldview in the Persian Empire as well. Yet, he used his influence to reflect his love for the one true God and to impact government policy.

Like the Empires of antiquity, our society today does not hold to a dominant Christian worldview, but to a secular humanist worldview. Daniel shows us that it is possible for a godly person to serve in government and have powerful influence, even in a post-Christian culture such as ours.  It is possible to serve both God and government and retain integrity within the political realm. Daniel not only did it, but he did not compromise when hardships arose. Through his presence in government, his witness, and the power of God, an entire empire came to know about the true God. Persian king Darius ultimately proclaimed, “For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end,” Daniel 6:26.

Christians today have the power of influence through their presence, integrity, and biblical witness.  Christians can and should serve in government and run for office!

Pastor Ray Ballmann
Word of Truth FL Church