Faith and the Voting Booth
The Church plays a crucial role in how American politics shape this nation. The Bride of Christ has a crucial say in how the United States will continue to hold itself on the world stage. Politics isn’t just the subject of nations, but of cities, towns, and neighborhoods too. We often hear the secular world talk about the need for the separation of church and state, not understanding that Thomas Jefferson wrote this famous line to say that the state needs to stay out of the affairs of the church. Jefferson was not a godly man, but understood how imperative the church is to a healthy community.
The modern church seems to have lost its identity and voice when it comes to politics. Even though 25% of the voter block is evangelical, only 1 out of 3 Christians regularly vote.
What are Politics
The term “politics” refers to the way a country or area is governed. Styles of government differ depending on need, culture, and ideologies. Even the Kingdom of God has politics. We read of elders around the throne, angels carrying decrees, and Christians being seated in heavenly places as co-heirs with Christ.
I hear believers declare they want nothing to do with politics. They often don’t understand political issues and want to stay away from the divisiveness of it all. I agree that there are times we need to tune out of these issues and tune into God. Media, in all its forms, demands attention and empathy from us. If we give into this demand, compassion fatigue and apathy will set in. Turning off our devices and opening our bibles becomes a much needed reprieve. However, there comes a time when our bibles lead us back into the fray to be a voice for the oppressed. The Word should lead us to a point of action.
John Adams said “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
But what happens when moral and religious people refuse to participate and vote to uphold our constitution? The voice of the Church is to be one of truth, love, and reconciliation. When she is silent and refuses to participate in the very system she helped create, the freedoms that she currently enjoys become vulnerable to predatory ideologies that do not have Christ in heart or mind.
The Biblical Narrative is found in the midst of politics.
The common thought in the Church is that since we are called to be in the world and not of it, that means we have an excuse to avoid corrupted systems. Surely as Christ was sent to save men from sin, the Bride is to run to areas of corruption to shine the light of truth. The Bible does not avoid the topic of politics. The Scriptures understand that it is an inescapable aspect of life on Earth.
In Genesis, we witness the building of cities and promises of nations. We see Jacob lead an empire in the name of God. In Daniel, we see a slave turned royal advisor, swaying both King and government. Jesus is born in the midst of political occupation and persecution. His message upends the most impactful empire in history. Throughout the last 2000 years, the Church has played an integral role in shaping what government can and should look like.
Christians are Kingdom First
Before any Christian belongs to a political party, they belong to the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom has a culture, principals, and a King to answer to. To go a step further, Christ said the Kingdom is alive in us. There is a new reality available to all believers, by faith. The temptation all sons and daughters face is compromising this way of faith by living according to what we see. This is when Christians become susceptible to other ideologies. What's worse is when these ideologies are juxtaposed with the ways of the Kingdom. When we compromise the culture of the Kingdom of God, we get lost.
Christians are called to abide by the ways of the Kingdom. The best example of this is to look at the life of it’s King. When we see Jesus, we see someone of the people. He didn’t shy away from oppressed and marginalized communities. He befriended, healed, and fed them. Jesus knew His Fathers ways were not the ways of the world he lived in, but still, He loved them. We don’t see a messiah that was ignorant of the times, but one that understood the world around him.
Modern believers should model this. We are to understand the times we live in but not be subjected to them. We are to serve in love and understand that the country we live in is worth serving and protecting.
America the Beautiful
Reagan said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it's never more than one generation away from extinction.”
America was not entirely founded by Bible believing, Christian men. However, the principles that guided our founding fathers in the establishment of the United States of America are inextricably Christian. Any system founded on Christ or Christian principles will include standing for the oppressed as a hallmark. Though America has had her sins, she has always shown a willingness to repent and continue her fight for justice. What we find in America is the last bastion of freedom found in the world. The United States has repeatedly rebuilt the very nations we have had conflict with, we are the most charitable nation in world history, and we have produced more Christian missionaries than any country. Our embrace of free trade and capitalism has created the conditions necessary for the industrial and technological advances that have brought the entire world into a realm of wealth unlike it has ever experienced.
We inherited this country from brave men and women who believed in a better life for themselves and their children, a land where we can speak freely and worship how we want. When we take for granted the liberties we were raised with, we struggle to understand what this country could look like without them. Any immigrant would be more than willing to explain it to you. America is an experiment in democracy that has had amazing success. For this success to continue for our children and their children, it takes a Church being faithful with their voice.
If we fail to value the country that we live in and take for granted the liberties that have been afforded us then we will fail to understand how important it is to protect the beauty our country stands for.
How to get Involved
1. Be informed.
Belonging to the Kingdom of God doesn’t mean the laws and legislation of our cities don’t affect us. Do you know how much your city is taxing you and what it’s used for? Do you know what current proposals your city council is arguing over and how it affects your neighborhood? Do you know what companies are fighting for that large plot of land on the other side of town and what that might mean for jobs and the general health of your community?
The church needs to be knowledgeable about what decisions are being made and the action the city is taking. Believers need to know who is being voted into positions of influence and why. When the righteous are informed, they can pray for God's insight and take the necessary steps in truth and love.
2. Vote.
Do you know when your next local, state, and federal elections are? Do you know who is running and on what policies? When Christians vote, it means more than simply exercising their civil liberties, it’s showing God that they are willing to steward the rights that were afforded to them by such a high cost. When we steward the rights given to us and vote according to our conscience and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we are showing God that we are ready for more say and influence in the communities we live in.
3. Pray for your leaders.
In Ronald Reagan’s biography, he recounts multiple occasions where he was healed. One of which was around the time he became aware of a group of Christians that were regularly praying for him.
I believe we disempower ourselves when we choose to believe someone is too much of a celebrity or too important to be affected by our prayers. That isn’t biblical. God is not a respecter of persons, and there isn’t a prayer too small that He refuses to hear. When we choose to pray for direction, clarity, and purpose over our leaders, I believe the Lord listens and works.
Final Thoughts
Politics need the voice and influence of the Church. If not us, then who? So much of the modern church wants revival, but what it really needs is a reformation. Our communities need men and women who are equipped to love and serve in bold and informed ways. The church that decides to involve themselves in the issues of politics and is faithful with their vote is the same church that makes decisive steps to keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave for their children.
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