Does God Care About Government?

QUESTION RECEIVED:
What does God say the role of government should play in our lives?
An acquaintance with libertarian views says that Jesus didn't judge while here on earth thus we shouldn't either and our sins be left to be judged by God when we die.
Though I see his point I would think God would have government play a more active part in our lives.
What does the Bible say about this?

MY ANSWER:

We are to obey government because God allowed it or perhaps even set the government up.

Titus 3:1

“3    Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,”

Romans 13:1-2

“1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

 In the Old Testament  God led his people and appointed leaders.
The ancient Hebrews demanded a king like the other nations.

1 Samuel 8:4-5 New King James Version (NKJV)

“4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, 5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.”

They got a king named Saul.

The people got what they wanted and as Scripture tells us this did not end well.

It appears God gives us as a government that is a  blessing or a curse a government.
The government is mostly what we want or let happen.

Jesus Christ did live in the gospel accounts as fully God and fully man.

He did make political commentary.

Luke 13:31-33(NKJV)

“31 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, “Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You.”

32 And He said to them, “Go, tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.’ 33 Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.”

He was more concerned with the individuals behavior than government policy.

He was then concerned with the what his people did.
The New Testament tells us how we should impact the world.

They should influence a nation with a prophetic word and actions.

And yes nations will be judged as Joel 3 tells us.

 In 1 Kings God judges evil now.

Did God judge evil rulers in the Bible?
All kingdoms rise or fall on His decree.
1 Kings 21:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)

“18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who lives in Samaria. There he is, in the vineyard of Naboth, where he has gone down to take possession of it. 19 You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’ And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, dogs shall lick your blood, even yours.”

20 So Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?”

And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord:”

Yes God will judge the nations in the future.

No, government cannot be Christians.
Only people can be Christians.
We are called to be salt and light.

God says honor the government.
The government is the people.
Christ changes people.