ENGAGE
I recently heard a study that said that a high number of people who call themselves Christian, and those of Jewish heritage, would not be voting in the upcoming election.
I, at first, ignored it as media spin. Then, I heard it again. My response was anger and frustration. But, I reigned, imperfectly, that emotion in and asked the Lord if this mindset was Biblical.
Is it Biblical for people of faith to disengage with the political structure of their nation?
The Lord brought up a few verses where someone could try and justify their decision to not vote.
John 17:14, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Matthew 22:21, “They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Acts 5:29, “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!”
Not one of those verses justify disengaging from the political process of their nation.
From the very beginning God created order, according to His wisdom and grace. Adam and Eve were told to tend and keep the Garden. Humanity has had the responsibility to tend and keep. This does not just reference their own little corner of the world. It is the world itself.
If those who are CALLED to be salt and light in the world disengage from the governmental structure and process of the nation, evil reigns. Evil becomes darker the more it is allowed to grow.
Moses’ father-in-law Jethro counseled Moses to appoint men into positions of authority. That was a governmental structure meant to establish order and maintain accountability.
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Aded-Nego all held positions of authority in the governing structure within the Babylonian empire.
Followers of Jesus Christ are called to hold positions of authority, not just in a church structure, but within the governing structure of nations. We are called to appoint them, and then undergird them with prayer.
“When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” be sure to appoint (vote) over you a king the LORD your God chooses. He must be from among your fellow Israelites. Do not place a foreigner over you, one who is not an Israelite.” (Deuteronomy 17:14-15)
Those who call Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have a responsibility to support others who God has chosen to serve in positions of authority, from the White House to the School Board. We have a responsibility to choose one who is not foreign to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When one thinks that neither candidate is an “Israelite” (believer), PRAY and ask God who He chooses. Research and determine which candidate’s policies and history of action most closely align with the Word of God.
Christians are derelict in their faith if they do not participate at the foundational level of the governmental process of their nation.
Abstaining from the process is an act of freewill and there is a heavy, often generational, price to pay. And we will be held accountable for not doing what we can to stand up for the principles of God and vote for those the Lord our God chooses.
“When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicket rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)