America is a great country, isn’t it? And one of the great things about America is I can have an opinion, I can voice my opinion, and I can vote for someone who shares my opinion.
On November 6th we are voting for the next president of the US. I am a Christian. Does the Bible tell me who I should vote for in this election? To hear some people tell it, it must. I am told that to vote for so-and-so is either a vote for or against the Gospel. Funny thing is, both sides use this tactic. Admittedly, it is more common among conservatives, but liberals use it too. Is this true? Is a vote for Romney more biblical than a vote for Obama? Or, would Jesus vote for Obama instead of Romney?
When we check with the Bible, we discover disturbing news for those who present their political positions as biblical:
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world
My kingdom. Jesus has a kingdom but He says it is not of this world. Not of this world means it does not belong to this world, is not a part of this world. The Gospel is about a kingdom, but not a kingdom of this world. The Gospel offers no political platform; it does not endorse any political view or party; nor does it give any commands or offer any advice concerning the conquest of a country or people.
What?!?!? That’s right, the Gospel does not tell me who to vote for for president. Not only that, but did you know that it does not tell us what kind of government we should have? Democratic or Socialistic, free market or commune, president or king.
Ah, what about the Old Testament? Does it not offer commands and precepts concerning government? Yes, it does. And these all concern the nation Israel. God clearly tells Israel what kind of government to have. But we are not Israel. Yet even under the Old Covenant, God did not tell the other nations how to run their governments, other than that it should be conducted in righteousness.
Once again, the Gospel is not about worldly politics. It does not offer anything concerning what kind of government a country should have, or who I as a Christian should vote for.
So, does this make the Gospel truly irrelevant for today? I mean, we have a government that allows each one of us to vote yet the Bible doesn’t tell me who to vote for. Surely, what people have been saying is true, the Bible was good then but is irrelevant now. Oh no, the Bible is a very political book. What is our politic? The kingdom of God.
saying there is another king – Jesus
We preach the kingdom of God and seek first the kingdom, but we are not a political party or movement. We have not been sent to fix the world. We are a called out group, forming our own community within the community at large. Our politics? Jesus is King. We are calling people out from the world because the King is coming back!
For those who are sure that the New Testament guides us concerning what kind of government is best, consider this: it offers no legal framework, no government structure, nothing about the appointment of leaders, monetary systems, education, etc. As I mentioned, in the Old Testament God formed Israel to be a people, a nation, a political entity, and therefore it speaks of all the matters concerning governing a people. But the Gospel introduced something entirely new. The people of God is now the Church and we are not a physical, political people. It is this very truth that makes the gospel workable in every culture, and under any government.
The Church, rather than being a political force is to be a prophetic voice to the culture, calling it to righteousness. We are to speak out against the immorality and ungodliness and unrighteousness of both parties. We should decry abortion and the dissolution of the family and the general immorality of the country AND the oppression of the poor and the danger of wealth. When we affiliate ourselves with a political party, we become partisan, and lose that prophetic voice. Historically, we find the Church at her best when she is exercising a prophetic voice and at her worst when she is involved in politics!
And speaking about being relevant, the New Testament is very clear about how I should relate to the government:
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation . . . Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority
Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. . . Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
remind them to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates
Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. (ouch!)
I am an American. I have my own political views and I will vote according to those views. And as an American I will discuss politics with you and urge you to come around to my well reasoned and rational view point. But I cannot tell you that my political views are necessarily more biblical than yours. More importantly, I am a follower of Christ. And while the Bible does not speak about Democrats and Republicans, Libertarians and Independents, it definitely tells me to pray for and obey my government, honor my leaders, and not speak evil of them. And you know what is a sad reflection on my spiritual life? I spend more time talking about politics than I do praying for kings and all that are in authority.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
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