The clamor of “separation of church and state” over the last several decades has served to condition many saints into thinking that religious views have no place in our nation’s lawmaking or in the selection of our leaders.  Nothing, I repeat, Nothing could be farther from the truth.

How could we come to believe that God would ordain governments to exist (See Romans 13:1-5 for example) but expect his people to avoid influencing them with righteousness?  Why would God show us how he placed Joseph, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Esther & Mordecai in government positions with authority and influence?

Are we to be salt in the private sector only, or should government be salted as well?  Should our light be “under a bushel basket” with regard to government or should it be on a lampstand for all to see?  Should we be like a city in a valley, or on a hill for all to see?  Why not on Capitol Hill?  Especially on Capitol Hill?

I’ve heard those who rail against any attempt to influence law with religion.  They want to silence religiously influenced views to make room for their own views which they hold just as religiously.  Why should we sit by quietly and allow worldly views to take precedence in government when God has provided us a voice as well?  Don’t be fooled.  Religion of one kind or another influences every law.

Our nation’s Declaration of Independence includes four references to God.  How could we be so foolish to believe that the men who signed this document would have believed that the word of God should have no influence in the affairs of this nation?

In closing, consider the last lines of the Gettysburg Address:

“It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”               Abraham Lincoln

Try telling Mr. Lincoln that the word of God should not influence government of a nation “under God”.  Ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?