It seems (IMHO) that equating the reduction of government overreach to a Christian principle is assuming a first century Jewish misunderstanding of God's kingdom.You have probably done so already, but this mandating you refer to is unclear. Some major mandating needed involves progressively reducing government overreach so that it is constrained to its own mandate, and Christians should be directly politically involved in that effort. (Having well placed ears would also help keep abreast of plots.)
Government doesn't want to partner with the church, it wants to dominate the church, either turn her to its will or eradicate her. Christians should be actively involved in thwarting those efforts both within the government and without. For now we have a constitution that theoretically allows both, but for how much longer?
It's not that I agree with some of those earliest Christians who initially opposed the Holy Spirit placing someone like Paul in chains and witnessing all the way to Rome. Rather right now we have the opportunity to shine God's light on every aspect of government from within and should not hesitate to do so.
I do not suggest that every Christian is called to this, but I do suggest that those who are need not form a separate party for the purpose hoping to one day amass enough political power to gain office. We don’t need that, and I suspect it would prove counterproductive in the end, perhaps even disastrous.
Rome certainly had more overreach into religious life than does the US government. But Jesus (along with the Desciples the Early Church) insisted this was not the role of God's people. When challenged Jesus explained that His kingdom was not of this world. Christ came to establish His kingdom, and against Jewish expectation did not address the government overreach of His day except to say His kingdom was not of this world.
What passage(s) leads you to believe Christians are called to confront overreach in the secular government?
