Christians can and should serve in government; Romans 13 and Romans 12:17 are not contradictory — private morality and governmental justice operate on different principles.

Winger argues there is no contradiction. Romans 13:1 teaches submission to governing authorities as submission to God's sovereign ordering of society. Romans 12:17 applies to personal conduct — the individual does not seek private vengeance. However, government's role (Romans 13:4) is specifically to enact justice, which includes punishing wrongdoing. A Christian judge sentencing a criminal is not "repaying evil for evil" in a vindictive sense but executing lawful justice. Winger advocates for more Christians in government, business, education, and trade — not just pastoral ministry. He warns that in current polarized culture, letting Christ be king of one's politics may cost elections, but that is acceptable.