Post by coveredinharmony on Nov 15, 2008 17:06:11 GMT -5
Hello, everyone! I want to make it clear that all of my writing is written from a heart that wants to please God. I recognize that not everyone will agree with me, and that I am imperfect. I am posting this note to express my views to you, not to offend anyone. I am also certainly not meaning this paper to be exhaustive and to cover every possible base. Let’s have some friendly dialogue. I’m sure we’ll all learn something, Lord willing!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As many of you know, I chose to vote in the last election. I was torn over voting, partially over some of the initiatives but mostly over voting for President. Neither Mr. Obama nor Mr. McCain fit even a majority of my views. I had major ideological issues voting for either one. I eventually settled on McCain as the “lesser of two evils” (although I of course view neither of the two men as evil). I also voted on all of the propositions, and it seems my views on two of them have caused me to get into a tense situation with a few of my friends and colleagues. It was then that I realized that I had barely given a thought as to what God would have me to do in that situation. I had prayed, “Lord, help me choose between Obama and McCain.” I hadn’t prayed to ask what His will was. Where had I seen that before?
“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:23-26)
Hmm, it seems that there was a spot in (Church) government open, and there were two men that the apostles had chosen. They asked God, “Which of these two men do you want?” Then they literally gambled to see which would “win,” and Matthias gained the title of Apostle.
Yet was that God’s will? It seems clear from reading Acts that God wanted neither Joseph nor Matthias! He wanted the man who would soon be known as Paul. However, the apostles were so sure that one of their choices would be “God’s man” that they went on with it without much thought.
Just as I did. You see, neither Barrack Obama nor John McCain is going to solve America’s problems. Neither man is even capable of this. The only person who can solve America’s problems, and indeed the problems of the world, is Jesus Christ. Why should we trust in men when God says to trust in Him?
But do we really trust Him? We trust Him with our salvation, perhaps with our families and our finances. But do we trust Him with the economy? With the government?
Or are we too concerned that abortion “rights” might spread farther, so we vote to stop it? Do we vote for the man who claims to oppose same-sex marriage? Or do we pray that the Lord’s will be done? The world will grow worse and worse, the Lord said. Why then do we rush to the voting booth without even considering what the Lord has to say about being involved in this increasingly worsening world?
When I began to think about these things a few days after the election, a question came to my mind: should a Christian vote or be involved with politics? I began searching the Scriptures and seeking the face of God. Here is what I have found.
1. Jesus did not involve Himself in the Kingdoms of this world.
It is a strange thought that the Lord of Glory and the Owner of the world did not come to earth and immediately take over the world’s government. Many Jews expected the Messiah to do so. But Jesus’ mind was on the Heavenly Kingdom, the Kingdom of God on Earth and in Heaven. He had no desire to rule over people that were not His. His heart was with His people and His Father.
In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted of the Devil before Jesus’ ministry begins. The Devil offers Him many things, but among them he offered the control of all the nations of the world. Does Jesus jump at the offer? Does He proclaim that He already owns all of the nations of the world?
No. He says, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” How profound that the Lord, who could simply establish His Kingdom using the nations of the world, chose instead to serve His Father by establishing a Heavenly Kingdom.
Several times, Jesus is offered a chance to become an earthly king. I know of no one more qualified to run a country than God Himself. But time and time again, Jesus refuses. In John 6:15, the people even came to the point to force Him to become an earthly king. Most politicians wouldn’t even need to be asked before they would jump at the opportunity to seize power. But Jesus is no politician. He is the Lord. His Kingdom is not of this world.
2. As Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world, so are we not citizens of this world.
This is also a strange thought. It is true, however. The instant we as Christians are born again, our citizenship transfers from the earth, from the Kingdom of darkness, into the Kingdom of Heaven. Many Scriptures attest to this fact:
Colossians 1:10-18
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”
John 18:35-37
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Clearly, we belong to a different kingdom than the kingdoms of this world. We have a different Constitution (the Bible), different goals, different visions. We are not supposed to yoke ourselves together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14), although it is mandatory to reach out to people of all kinds, Christian or not, during an election, and to join together with them. We are but ambassadors here on the earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are part of a Heavenly Kingdom that does not fight with sword and stave, but rather with Truth. Why then do we clamor to become involved with the political process? Is it really that different than warring with a sword?
3. The political process inherently conflicts with the doctrine of nonresistance.
“Whoa!” you might be thinking. “Is Sarah one of those hippie pacifist types?”
No, brothers and sisters, I am not a pacifist. I am involved with a war, actually. I am in an Army. The only difference is that I am in a different kind of Army. I am a different kind of soldier. I use different weapons. I have a different enemy. And I certainly have a different King.
My army is the Church. No, it’s not my local one in Napa, although they too are part of that Army. No, my Army is much bigger than my local fellowship, than my Christian friends at school. My Army is the Christian Church, composed of the thousands upon thousands of believers in Christ all around the world. We don’t fight with swords, guns, and tanks; we fight with prayer, with fasting, with the Word of God, and with the Holy Spirit. We don’t lift hands against nations, but rather we lift our voices up in prayer to God against Satan and his army. And our King is God Himself. The war is already won, brothers and sisters. We just must stay faithful in battle until the end.
Suppose I was part of the American army. We are at war with another nation (let’s say, Germany). If I were to go and fight on the German side, for the Germans, what would that be called? Would it not be treason? Would I not be charged with abandoning my duty as a citizen of America, fighting against the very people I vowed to protect when I joined the army? It is no different from if we are a Christian, part of God’s Kingdom, turning around and picking up the guns for an earthly army. It is treason!
Now, what does this have to do with elections and politics? In the political system, the goal of any group is to control the government in some way, and to overthrow the system. It is inherently violent. No, it doesn’t (normally) involve physical weapons, but those involved in politics are not peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). They are not fostering good will toward all men; rather, elections tend to be filled with mudslinging, lying, and can make bitter enemies out of neighbors and friends. Even professing Christians can attack each other in the election process. That is against the spirit of unity we as Christians are supposed to possess. It is against the spirit of peace we are supposed to act under.
(By the way, the topic of nonresistance is a huge one. I barely touched upon the surface here. I would be happy to write about my views on war and violence as well, if any of you are curious. Another side note--for whatever reason, when I wrote "scra ped" without spaces here, it turned it into "sgarbageed." Is that something with a filter?)
4. Involvement in the political process distracts us from higher things.
How many billions of dollars do we as Americans pay to get “our man” elected? How much money is wasted when that man does not win?
How many of us would happily go and canvass for a campaign, work for a candidate, hand out fliers urging people to vote a certain way, or display signs, posters, buttons, or shirts that promote a candidate or proposition?
Yet how much money do we spend on missions? How many of us pray for missionaries regularly, or send them notes of encouragement or supplies? How many of us have told others about Christ, have volunteered for missions work or even in a soup kitchen, or used a bumper sticker or worn something that would identify us as Christians before a lost and dying world? Can you imagine the impact that we could have on the world for Christ if we would just get our eyes and hearts back to where they should have been in the first place, brothers and sisters?
We must get it out of the idea the we can do anything with the political system. Neither we, nor any political party, can change the world. The Republican party is not our savior (nor any other party, for that matter). Our Savior now reigns in Heaven, over His own Kingdom. Do we love Him enough to serve Him in His Kingdom, separate from the world and its processes? Are we willing to be fishers of men instead of just trying to clean the fish tank?
America is not “God’s nation.” God has no nation on earth. He has a Kingdom. Under the Old Convenant, surely God had a nation called Israel. It was called to be a spiritual light to the nations, but also to wield political and military power. Now, Christians are called to put down the physical sword, and to take up the Sword of the Spirit. Where once God judged entire nations, God now judges the individual. Where once the nation of Israel was to proclaim the Kingdom of God, that responsibility has now fallen to individual Christians.
We are called to not resist evil, to accept persecution, and to trust what the Lord would give us. Let us trust Him in all things, including what happens in the political system. Let us keep our eyes upon Jesus, and our hands out of the ballot box.
Will I vote in the next election? The answer should be obvious. The world, including the governments, is the Lord’s. It is not mine to try to control. The world and the fullness thereof are in God’s hands. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As many of you know, I chose to vote in the last election. I was torn over voting, partially over some of the initiatives but mostly over voting for President. Neither Mr. Obama nor Mr. McCain fit even a majority of my views. I had major ideological issues voting for either one. I eventually settled on McCain as the “lesser of two evils” (although I of course view neither of the two men as evil). I also voted on all of the propositions, and it seems my views on two of them have caused me to get into a tense situation with a few of my friends and colleagues. It was then that I realized that I had barely given a thought as to what God would have me to do in that situation. I had prayed, “Lord, help me choose between Obama and McCain.” I hadn’t prayed to ask what His will was. Where had I seen that before?
“And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen, that he may take part of this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place. And they gave forth their lots; and the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.” (Acts 1:23-26)
Hmm, it seems that there was a spot in (Church) government open, and there were two men that the apostles had chosen. They asked God, “Which of these two men do you want?” Then they literally gambled to see which would “win,” and Matthias gained the title of Apostle.
Yet was that God’s will? It seems clear from reading Acts that God wanted neither Joseph nor Matthias! He wanted the man who would soon be known as Paul. However, the apostles were so sure that one of their choices would be “God’s man” that they went on with it without much thought.
Just as I did. You see, neither Barrack Obama nor John McCain is going to solve America’s problems. Neither man is even capable of this. The only person who can solve America’s problems, and indeed the problems of the world, is Jesus Christ. Why should we trust in men when God says to trust in Him?
But do we really trust Him? We trust Him with our salvation, perhaps with our families and our finances. But do we trust Him with the economy? With the government?
Or are we too concerned that abortion “rights” might spread farther, so we vote to stop it? Do we vote for the man who claims to oppose same-sex marriage? Or do we pray that the Lord’s will be done? The world will grow worse and worse, the Lord said. Why then do we rush to the voting booth without even considering what the Lord has to say about being involved in this increasingly worsening world?
When I began to think about these things a few days after the election, a question came to my mind: should a Christian vote or be involved with politics? I began searching the Scriptures and seeking the face of God. Here is what I have found.
1. Jesus did not involve Himself in the Kingdoms of this world.
It is a strange thought that the Lord of Glory and the Owner of the world did not come to earth and immediately take over the world’s government. Many Jews expected the Messiah to do so. But Jesus’ mind was on the Heavenly Kingdom, the Kingdom of God on Earth and in Heaven. He had no desire to rule over people that were not His. His heart was with His people and His Father.
In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted of the Devil before Jesus’ ministry begins. The Devil offers Him many things, but among them he offered the control of all the nations of the world. Does Jesus jump at the offer? Does He proclaim that He already owns all of the nations of the world?
No. He says, “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” How profound that the Lord, who could simply establish His Kingdom using the nations of the world, chose instead to serve His Father by establishing a Heavenly Kingdom.
Several times, Jesus is offered a chance to become an earthly king. I know of no one more qualified to run a country than God Himself. But time and time again, Jesus refuses. In John 6:15, the people even came to the point to force Him to become an earthly king. Most politicians wouldn’t even need to be asked before they would jump at the opportunity to seize power. But Jesus is no politician. He is the Lord. His Kingdom is not of this world.
2. As Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world, so are we not citizens of this world.
This is also a strange thought. It is true, however. The instant we as Christians are born again, our citizenship transfers from the earth, from the Kingdom of darkness, into the Kingdom of Heaven. Many Scriptures attest to this fact:
Colossians 1:10-18
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
1 Peter 2:11 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”
John 18:35-37
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Clearly, we belong to a different kingdom than the kingdoms of this world. We have a different Constitution (the Bible), different goals, different visions. We are not supposed to yoke ourselves together with unbelievers (2 Corinthians 6:14), although it is mandatory to reach out to people of all kinds, Christian or not, during an election, and to join together with them. We are but ambassadors here on the earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are part of a Heavenly Kingdom that does not fight with sword and stave, but rather with Truth. Why then do we clamor to become involved with the political process? Is it really that different than warring with a sword?
3. The political process inherently conflicts with the doctrine of nonresistance.
“Whoa!” you might be thinking. “Is Sarah one of those hippie pacifist types?”
No, brothers and sisters, I am not a pacifist. I am involved with a war, actually. I am in an Army. The only difference is that I am in a different kind of Army. I am a different kind of soldier. I use different weapons. I have a different enemy. And I certainly have a different King.
My army is the Church. No, it’s not my local one in Napa, although they too are part of that Army. No, my Army is much bigger than my local fellowship, than my Christian friends at school. My Army is the Christian Church, composed of the thousands upon thousands of believers in Christ all around the world. We don’t fight with swords, guns, and tanks; we fight with prayer, with fasting, with the Word of God, and with the Holy Spirit. We don’t lift hands against nations, but rather we lift our voices up in prayer to God against Satan and his army. And our King is God Himself. The war is already won, brothers and sisters. We just must stay faithful in battle until the end.
Suppose I was part of the American army. We are at war with another nation (let’s say, Germany). If I were to go and fight on the German side, for the Germans, what would that be called? Would it not be treason? Would I not be charged with abandoning my duty as a citizen of America, fighting against the very people I vowed to protect when I joined the army? It is no different from if we are a Christian, part of God’s Kingdom, turning around and picking up the guns for an earthly army. It is treason!
Now, what does this have to do with elections and politics? In the political system, the goal of any group is to control the government in some way, and to overthrow the system. It is inherently violent. No, it doesn’t (normally) involve physical weapons, but those involved in politics are not peacemakers (Matthew 5:9). They are not fostering good will toward all men; rather, elections tend to be filled with mudslinging, lying, and can make bitter enemies out of neighbors and friends. Even professing Christians can attack each other in the election process. That is against the spirit of unity we as Christians are supposed to possess. It is against the spirit of peace we are supposed to act under.
(By the way, the topic of nonresistance is a huge one. I barely touched upon the surface here. I would be happy to write about my views on war and violence as well, if any of you are curious. Another side note--for whatever reason, when I wrote "scra ped" without spaces here, it turned it into "sgarbageed." Is that something with a filter?)
4. Involvement in the political process distracts us from higher things.
How many billions of dollars do we as Americans pay to get “our man” elected? How much money is wasted when that man does not win?
How many of us would happily go and canvass for a campaign, work for a candidate, hand out fliers urging people to vote a certain way, or display signs, posters, buttons, or shirts that promote a candidate or proposition?
Yet how much money do we spend on missions? How many of us pray for missionaries regularly, or send them notes of encouragement or supplies? How many of us have told others about Christ, have volunteered for missions work or even in a soup kitchen, or used a bumper sticker or worn something that would identify us as Christians before a lost and dying world? Can you imagine the impact that we could have on the world for Christ if we would just get our eyes and hearts back to where they should have been in the first place, brothers and sisters?
We must get it out of the idea the we can do anything with the political system. Neither we, nor any political party, can change the world. The Republican party is not our savior (nor any other party, for that matter). Our Savior now reigns in Heaven, over His own Kingdom. Do we love Him enough to serve Him in His Kingdom, separate from the world and its processes? Are we willing to be fishers of men instead of just trying to clean the fish tank?
America is not “God’s nation.” God has no nation on earth. He has a Kingdom. Under the Old Convenant, surely God had a nation called Israel. It was called to be a spiritual light to the nations, but also to wield political and military power. Now, Christians are called to put down the physical sword, and to take up the Sword of the Spirit. Where once God judged entire nations, God now judges the individual. Where once the nation of Israel was to proclaim the Kingdom of God, that responsibility has now fallen to individual Christians.
We are called to not resist evil, to accept persecution, and to trust what the Lord would give us. Let us trust Him in all things, including what happens in the political system. Let us keep our eyes upon Jesus, and our hands out of the ballot box.
Will I vote in the next election? The answer should be obvious. The world, including the governments, is the Lord’s. It is not mine to try to control. The world and the fullness thereof are in God’s hands. Hallelujah!
Isaiah 9:2-7
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.