Question of the Month-May 2008

Our question this month comes from someone who asks, “I must admit that our current political process for president leaves me cold. I don’t like any of the candidates! Does the Lord really care if I just drop out and don’t vote or participate in our government? Does it really matter?”

Thank you for your heartfelt question. I am sure multitudes of people have similar concerns on some levels. Your question is a great one because it touches on what role, if any, a Christian should play in “dealing with Caesar” regarding the electoral process. It is a complex issue, but there are a few things to consider.

There are many battles being waged today about the role of the Church in the State by Christians. On the one extreme, there are those who believe the Church is going to takeover our culture and bring in the Lord’s Kingdom through the political process. On the other extreme, you find people who believe that the Lord’s Kingdom is “not of this world”, so believers should live separate lives and disconnect from the political process altogether. The truth lies somewhere in between these two positions.

The Lord has called us to participate in the State by submitting to the laws of the State, as an expression of the Lord’s sovereignty over the world. I believe this participation covers ALL areas of life including voting. Believers have been called to “obey Caesar” by paying taxes and submitting to the various laws unless they have an overriding objection based on conscience. I encourage you to read Romans 13:1-7. The Apostle Paul is very clear here that all politicians are ultimately servants of the Lord. You see our Lord Jesus teaching this same truth when He stands before Pilate at His trial and reminds Pilate that his power was given to him by the Lord for His purposes (John 19:11).

The fact that all power exercised by any politician is under the Lordship of Jesus is an important issue. It tells us that even bad and evil politicians are still servants of the Lord. Therefore, if a person votes or supports a “bad” politician, the Lord is no less in charge of that politician than a “good” one. This is a very freeing truth. It frees us because it gives us grace to support people we don’t really like when the choices are limited. I think most Christians have voted for politicians they didn’t like or got excited about. That doesn’t mean their decision was bad or unfaithful. The Lord knows better than us that the only real choice for any office is Jesus. However, by allowing us to be presented with a series of poor candidates, our Lord allows us to understand, by way of contrast, the glories of Jesus.

The reason a Christian should vote and participate in all governing activities of this world is because it is a rehearsal for the future. The Bible tells us that one day we will “rule and reign” with our Lord Jesus (Revelation 20:6). Until that day comes, we are all in training for that responsibility. When we vote, express our witness, and share our testimony, it points to the future reality that is coming. If Christians “drops out” of our culture and live “separated lives” that have no impact on our society, we end up denying that Jesus is King NOW! The Bible is very clear that the Lord is always King. The Lord has NEVER abdicated the throne to any earthly king or politician. The Lord rules tonight and forever…..regardless of who is president.

I want to encourage you, and all who read this article, to vote and participate in our coming political process. Write letters to our politicians and elected leaders, pray for the President and use your influence and resources to make a difference. Like you, I am not entirely happy with our choice of candidates. However, I will be voting and working to challenge political candidates and their ideas from a Biblical perspective. I know our Lord’s return will happen one day soon and I will be totally happy with the government then. Until that day, Jesus is my King and President and I will work faithfully to represent Him and His platform to the world. I am not afraid of participating in a “flawed system”. If that were the case, none of us would ever go to Church because the Church is a very “flawed system” as well. I participate in the Church because our Lord commanded me to do it. Both the Church and State can provide us with many reasons to “drop out”. Nevertheless, both institutions are under the Lordship of Jesus Christ and that recognition allows me to continue until He comes.

I hope and pray that a few of these insights will give you some perspective about our role in what is happening today. Let’s all get out and make a difference in our political process until our Lord comes again.

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