Yesterday the American people went to the polls to participate in what turned out to be a historic election. I, for one, am thankful to our founding fathers for devising such an ingenious system and for the privilege to vote my conscience. Sadly, many Evangelicals think that because their hope is in Christ, and in Christ alone, we should not participate in the political process. I think this view is incompatible with Scripture.
Jethro, upon observing his son in law’s heavy load, counseled Moses to, “look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people” (Exodus 18:21). At that, we are told that Moses chose “capable men” and made them leaders and officials over the people of Israel. The Bible tells us that things like bribery, dishonesty, perversions of justice, twisting of words, partiality to the wicked, are all things that God hates. Proverbs 28:28 tells us that, “When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.” Clearly God intended for His people to make choices based upon His righteousness.
While it is true that God is sovereign and in absolute control of the entire universe and all of the affairs of man, this fact should compel us to be the “light” and the “salt” that Jesus instructed us to be in Matthew 5. The last thing it should do is make us complacent. And, while I certainly have my political leanings that I believe are, without argument, consistent with the Bible, the truth is, all the right politics in the world will not change the heart, only Jesus can.
It is good and right to pray for our country and our leadership. Paul told Timothy, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. ” (1 Timothy 2:1-3). By God’s grace, I have committed to doing so but my deepest hearts cry is that the church in America wake up from her slumber to preach Christ, and Christ crucified to a lost and dying world.
I leave you with the words of Abraham Kuyper, a man of God who challenged the secular culture, that God providentially placed him, with the Word of God:
“One desire has been the ruling passion of my life. One high motive has acted like a spur upon my mind and soul, and sooner than that I should escape from the sacred necessity that is laid upon me, let the breath of life fail me. it is this: that, in spite of all worldly opposition, God’s holy ordinances shall be established again in the throne, in the school, and in the state for the good of the people, to carve, as it were, into the conscience of the nation the ordinances of the Lord, to which Bible and creation bear witness; until the nations pays homage again to God. ” (Abraham Kuyper, Near unto God, quoted in The Doctrines of Grace, James Montgomery Boice, Philip Graham Ryken, page 54).
Revival can only come to America when the church drops everything that reeks of the earth and preaches a crucified Savior to a lost and dying world.
May God raise up men and women of valor to do just that.
I needed to read this…..THANKS
Thank you for taking the time to read. Love you brother!
“All the right politics in the world will not change the heart, only Jesus can.”
Amen, Christina! The problem is sin, and politics can’t save us. Perhaps restrain evil according to God’s decree, but not permanently effect change. We need a change from the inside out, and only Christ can do that.
Wonderful post Christina! I’m with you – I believe it’s good to vote – but to realize that our peace can only come from Christ. Christians seem to be prone to extremes with politics. Either neglecting their privileges altogether or else placing way too much emphasis on political reform.
Powerful words, my friend. I’m so thankful for the privilege of teaching my children these truths early on. How blessed we are to vote. God is sovereign. We must be salt and light. We must live what we say we believe. My Beloved and I were just discussing how differently, too, we look at politics now since understanding God’s sovereignty. We’re not overcome by fear or panic. And, we can really pray for those in authority because we know the One who put them there. 🙂 Love this post and hugging you in my heart!
Great thoughts. Way to balance the sovereignty of God with our real and serious responsibility to do the right thing and exercise the blessing of voting (a privilege not too many citizens enjoy in other countries around the world). I sat at dinner with my children after voting last Tuesday and told them that it was amazing that I didn’t get shot at, beat up or suicide bombed on my way to or back from the polls. We don’t know how good we have it here in the US.
Grace to you!