Libertarianism and communism are two government systems on opposite ends of a spectrum, with most modern governments falling somewhere in between these two extremes. Libertarians embrace individual freedom as the highest priority. They argue the government should only serve to enforce agreements between people and prevent people from forcing their will on others.
In the extreme, libertarians may argue no government is necessary, maintaining the private sector could maintain security better than any government. They would base their ideas on “natural law,” which defines right and wrong depending on whether an action violates the rights of someone else. Libertarians suggest each person should be his or her own ultimate authority. The Bible, however, advocates the law of God, and He requires absolute submission to His authority.
Communism is at the other end of the spectrum, seeking to enforce equality of wealth by limiting individual freedom. This is done primarily by taking money from people who have and giving it to those who have not. Many communist philosophies argue it is religion that makes people accept inequality and the suffering that comes with it. Other communist ideals further violate the values found in God’s Word. In its purest form, communism would abolish private property and money. Instead, everything would be owned by the government and shared evenly among the citizens. (Although, as we have seen from 100 years of communism in practice, the communist ruling elites inevitably enjoy special privileges and a far higher standard of living than their countrymen.)
Communism and libertarianism are fatally flawed. In both cases, the problem stems from not accepting and valuing God’s standards. Any perfect government must be compatible with God’s Word, but the philosophies of this world are at odds with the Bible in one way or another. No human government escapes this problem, because human beings generally rely on our own understanding instead of God’s. Even if a government is well designed, it’s still subject to human nature, and the leadership of fallible men. As a result, corruption has ravaged human governments. Even if society did elect godly leaders, they’d still be mere human beings, subject to human weakness. Jeremiah 17:9 states, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.”
The Bible shows God has a plan to establish a perfect, corruption-free government that will finally help enforce peace throughout the world when Jesus Christ returns to this earth: “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever’” (Revelation 11:15).
Jesus Christ will reign over the earth with holy, righteous character. Isaiah 2:3 describes this time: “For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” God’s system of government will be based on His laws—there will be no more squabbling between men over what’s right or wrong, fair or unfair. Everyone will be subject to the best possible set of rules for a healthy society.
God’s Spirit moves people to obey His laws, and Joel 2:28 reveals God’s Spirit will ultimately be freely given to everyone. Ezekiel 11:19-20 also confirms this: “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.” Jeremiah 31:33-34 tells us everyone will “know the Lord” when Christ reigns as King. Not only will the government be free from corruption, but the people will be inclined to live righteously, and treat each other fairly and honestly.
While God’s government will enforce His holy, righteous law, it’s really the change in the heart of man that will bring peace on earth. Given the track record of man’s governments, this revolutionary change can’t come quickly enough.
