What It Means to Be Neutral

 Jesus taught that his followers should be "not part of the world."  (John 15:19)  This includes being neutral-not taking sides in the world's politics and wars.  Realistically, it is not always easy to be neutral.  We may be ridiculed because of this. How can we stay neutral and remain loyal to God?

1. How do true Christians view human government?

Christians respect the government.  We do as Jesus said and "pay back Caesar's things to Caesar"-that is, we obey the laws of the land, such as those that require us to pay taxes. (Mark 12:17)  The Bible  teaches that human governments rule only because Jehovah allows them to rule. (Romans 13:1)  So we recognize that human governments have only relative, or limited, authority.  We look to our God and his heavenly Kingdom to solve mankind's problems.

2.  How can we show that we are neutral?

Like Jesus, we do not get involved in politics.  When people saw one of Jesus' miracles and tried to make him their king on earth, he did not let them.(John 6:15)  Why not? Because, as he later said: "My Kingdom is no part of this world." ( John 18:36)  As Jesus' disciples, we show our neutrality in a number of ways.  For example, we do not go to war.  (Read Micah 4:3.) We respect national symbols-such a flags-but we do not worship them-meaning stand and put our arm over our heart to pledge allegiance or stand for the Star Spangled Banner.  (1 John 5:21) And we do not take sides for or against any political party or candidate. In these ways and others, we show that we are completely loyal to God's government-His Kingdom.

Next time: What It Means to Be Neutral - Continued

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