Millions of today’s Christians believe
voting is their civic and patriotic duty. It is the American way.
But is it God’s way? If Christ were here
today, would He vote? Would His servants participate in the politics of this
world?
To answer these questions, we must
first and foremost ask ourselves, “Who is behind the selection of leaders over
the many countries on earth? Who actually chooses them?” Well of course most
Christians will readily answer, "God, of course." Correct, but digging deeper
into this answer we have to consider a few key points. In John 18:36 we read
Jesus' words in speaking to Pilate. “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
[here].” If we truly understand Christ’s words here we realise that, very
clearly, He is saying that His kingdom (the New Testament term for government)
is not of this world. Christians are part of that government—God’s government.
And solely from this passage alone, we see Christ explains that God’s servants
do not fight to defend His kingdom. Since Christ’s servants do not even fight to
defend Christ’s (God’s) kingdom, they certainly, then, would never fight to
defend any kingdom led by men! Therefore, just in passing, we’ve already
discovered total proof that Christians are not to be involved with the U.S. Army
or any other army of any other country, regardless of earthly country
citizenship. This makes it evident that Christ’s kingdom is not on earth—it is
from another place. Since God’s kingdom comes from heaven, His servants neither
vote in, nor fight for, men’s nations or governments.
But, let’s dig deeper. In Philippians 3:20, we read, "our citizenship is in
heaven, and from it we also await a saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." The logical
conclusion to this is that if our citizenship is in heaven, then it can't be of
anywhere else. And, no, there is no dual citizenship here. Christians do have a
“political agenda,” but it is not to be of this world. We, as Christians, are to
be campaigning, if you will, for Jesus Christ! In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we read,
"Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we
pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." We are ambassadors, just
like ambassadors from the United Nations to another country or from one country
to another. The only difference is we are ambassadors for God's Kingdom (or
government to put it into today’s terminology). We are guilty of fraternising
with other governments if we support any other politics or endorse any
politician other than our own High King of whose kingdom or government we claim
our only citizenship. When we participate in voting and taking part in worldly
political affairs we are straying from our marching orders by becoming entangled
in the affairs of this world (2 Tim. 2:4). Any earthly ambassador knows that if
he represents a country, such as the United States, as an ambassador to any
other country, he cannot participate in the politics of the country to which he
is appointed because he participates in the politics of the country he
represents. As an ambassador of another country, he cannot fight for the country
he is visiting, to which he is sent. He also cannot participate in its
politics—under any circumstances. Therefore the answer stands quite clear.
Second Corinthians 5:20 says Christians are ambassadors for Christ. So, let me
rephrase my previous statement with Christians inserted this time. Any
ambassador for Christ knows that if he represents (or stands for) Christ's
Kingdom, as an ambassador, he cannot participate in the politics of the country,
city, region, state, or even the world to which he has been appointed or sent
into by God. Why? He participates in the politics of Heaven (the only place
which he represents). As an ambassador of Christ, he cannot fight for the
country he is 'visiting' while on earth. He also cannot participate in its
politics—under any circumstances.
Yet another note if this is not clear enough. In Matthew 6:24 we read, “No man
can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or
else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
mammon.” No human being can give equal allegiance, or loyalty, to two different
masters of any kind. Christ was actually teaching about seeking God and the
accumulation of money (mammon) at the same time. There will be a point when one
takes precedence over the other. Christians are to be totally loyal to the
heavenly government they represent and, as with citizens of any country on
earth, they cannot also participate in the politics of any country other than
their own (heaven). Acts 5:29 tells us that God’s servants must in every
circumstance when there is conflict between the two “…obey God rather than men.”
If you are a citizen of God's Kingdom, then you absolutely cannot stand with
your feet resting in two opposite governments!
Lastly, in studying God's Word, I have come to this conclusion and found that
from Genesis to Revelation there is not a single instance that was blessed by
God where an election was used to select a leader. Nowhere in the Bible can you
find God commanding people to elect leaders—and God's commands in the Bible are
the pattern that Christians are supposed to follow in all matters. Christians
“live by every word of God” (Matt. 4:4; Luke 4:4). God’s Word neither authorizes
nor reflects any kind of pattern of voting.
In no way in this article am I saying that Christians ought not to obey civil
authority—unless, as explained, that authority directly instructs them to
disobey the higher authority of God (Acts 5:29). Participating in the
governments of men and obeying or submitting to them are entirely different
matters. Please do not confuse this.
So, what shall we do? Let’s ask what would Jesus do? Well, He would continue
proclaiming the good news of His kingdom, and the way of salvation, refusing to
take any part whatsoever in this evil world's politics. Therefore, let us go and
do likewise, spread the gospel as we are commanded by our God and be true,
dedicated ambassadors for Christ!
Truth Ministries – truth-ministries.com
Newbury Park, CA 91320
This article was written by Ben Ditzel. No part of this article may be
reproduced without express permission from the author. In so saying, none of
this article was taken directly from any other, however other author’s works
were highly referenced during the compilation.
Truth Ministries is a Christian ministry which provides counseling, teaching,
radio programmes, and articles through the web as well as other forms of
electronic and print media to further the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. For more information or to request material, please contact us at the
address below.
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Truth Ministries
1029 Amberton Lane
Newbury Park, CA 91320
USA
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