Does your religion discourage you in voting in American elections?
A recent study by an Arizona University indicated that around 40 million “Christians” did not intend to vote this year in the U.S. national election. A chief reasoning was their citizenship was only in Heaven and there was an aversion to demonic civil governments.
However, a Christian has a dual citizenship. He/she is subject also to God's local ordained powers upon the Earth. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work” (Titus 3:1).
Although
the current civil holders might be evil (like Nebuchanezzar of
Babylon or Cyrus of Persia*), the power is still Heaven ordained. First of all, we are to
be subject to whomever God has currently granted that power, whether
a king or duly democratically elected person/s.
*King Cyrus is called "(God's) shepherd" (Isaiah 44:38)and "his anointed" (Isaiah 45:1)
Christians are to submit to these Authorities:
Romans 13:1-4 “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. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
Their
dues would include responding legitimate request in voting, etc.,
Romans 13:7, “Render therefore to all their dues*: tribute to
whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour
to whom honour.”
*indebtedness, that is, (concretely) a sum owed; figuratively obligation,-Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries
Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” When the government seeks guidance in such things as voting, our pursuit for righteousness places an obligation upon us to positively respond.
Jesus authorized the thoughts in the “Lord's Prayer.” (Luke 11:2). We are to pray for the reign of Heaven to come. This is not that we would escape from the world itself. We pray for “Thy will be done on earth.” This implies that people can and should be promoting the doing of God's will now while on earth. We can and should vote for what is righteous to happen. “Righteousness exalteth a nation”, Proverbs 14:34.
Should we not advise our king of righteous rulings if we have an opportunity? Paul preached to a king. Voting publicly is similar because we are submitting to the political system that asks citizens to vote their opinions or choice of things. Voting is for the good of our neighbors as well as for ourselves.
Psalm 34:14, “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” 'All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing', Edmund Burke.
Matthew 5:13. In addition, the sermon on the mount tells us to influence others. “We are to be salt to our neighbors.” We are to be a light. Voting is an overt and active influence in the community. It is like telling several neighbors your Christian viewpoint.
A democracy is a special blessing from the Lord because it is an unique form of government. It's unique in history except for that local form being in ancient Greece. Although a monarchy is subject to God, he can still have his advisers. So voters in a democracy or republic serve in a similar sense by voting for the decision-making for the power that rules. NOT voting is also a subtle way of voting. It will influence the outcome possibly but in a negative way.
Acts 14:23 indicates that the apostolic led church voted in choosing their local spiritual elders (Acts 14:23). The word “ordained” there means a type of voting. Ordained, Cheirotoneō, (from cheirotonos, extending the hand, cheir, "hand", and teinō, "to stretch") is an old verb that originally meant to vote by show of the hands (Robertson's Word Pictures). It is also translated as “chosen” in 2 Corinthians 8:19.
If we choose not to vote when our government allows one to express our righteous judgment, would we not be guilty of wasting an opportunity to honor a gift given to us by God? Rather, let's vote righteously.
----- GAYLON WEST
BIBLE STUDY LESSONS.NET
