Opening Thoughts:
I will be the first to say that I am not a fan of politics! Most of this, I admit, is my own fault for not putting the necessary time into studying and learning about them. And for that matter, I don't enjoy politics because I don't understand them. However, my opinion towards this subject does not make it any less important! I fully believe that each person should exercise the rights that the government has given by voting and choosing the best candidate for the position. Therefore, my own personal enjoyment of politics has nothing to do with this post, but I wanted to lay the foundation of my feelings toward the subject.All of this aside, I have been thinking about our upcoming (which is tomorrow) election. So many people have been making a big deal about this election for a long time. It seems as if the media has been on "You Decide 2012" kick for a couple of years. And this is not bad. It's just a big deal.
So, what is my response as a believer in Jesus Christ?
Initial Questions:
I am not seeking to answer these questions completely. However, I do want to stir some thinking in this direction.- What does the Bible teach in relation to elections, officials, and rulers?
- What is my responsibility toward these in authority?
- Where does the Bible put the emphasis in relation to human authority?
- How should I treat an ungodly leader?
- What is the church's response to politics?
- Are we seeking spiritual revival through a political leader? Or more importantly, are we seeking for our "ideal-America" to come through a political leader?
- What would happen if the "wrong" person gets elected and our freedoms begin to be compromised and persecution becomes more and more visible?
- Is this wrong? (see previous question)
The bigger goal, a bigger purpose:
Perhaps it is through politics that believers are made more aware of the fact of our sinful society, and the need for Christ's return! Even so, come, Lord Jesus!!! In this lies the greater, bigger purpose for our existence...the Glory of God.
In a recent sermon, given by a fellow student at Calvary, we were challenged in our thinking concerning the purpose of life. We all know the "correct" answer, but when smacked in the face with the truth that we are called to live EVERYTHING in life for the Glory of God, we see where we lack. Philippians 2, relates Christ's purpose in coming to earth as a Man, to suffer and die for our sins--the glory of God. Verse 11 summarizes Christ's ministry and the end when all will bow before Him in worship for the purpose of glorifying God.
It is at this point that most get caught. I know in my own life, I do not always live for the purpose of glorifying God, and I do not always see that everything that happens is for His glory.
Tying this back to the topic of politics, if everything happens for God's glory, then what? What?! Well, Scripture affirms that God causes All things to work according to the purpose of His will (Rom. 8:28). Every realm. Every country. Every leader. All things work according to God's sovereign plan for His glory and our good.
This truth alone is enough to change the actions, words, and thoughts of every believer toward our present government and the status of our country and the world. If we continue to look at things from our "evangelical" materialistic-idealistic mind, then our battle-cry will be to revive our government to go back to the foundational principles (not that this is necessarily wrong, just miss-lead and over-emphasized.). Our battle-cry is Christ crucified, resurrected, ascended, and seated at the right hand of God. It is the gospel. It is the soon-coming return of Christ. It is Christ's final conquering of sin and death. It is God's glory!
This is the bigger purpose, the bigger goal.
In a recent sermon, given by a fellow student at Calvary, we were challenged in our thinking concerning the purpose of life. We all know the "correct" answer, but when smacked in the face with the truth that we are called to live EVERYTHING in life for the Glory of God, we see where we lack. Philippians 2, relates Christ's purpose in coming to earth as a Man, to suffer and die for our sins--the glory of God. Verse 11 summarizes Christ's ministry and the end when all will bow before Him in worship for the purpose of glorifying God.
It is at this point that most get caught. I know in my own life, I do not always live for the purpose of glorifying God, and I do not always see that everything that happens is for His glory.
Tying this back to the topic of politics, if everything happens for God's glory, then what? What?! Well, Scripture affirms that God causes All things to work according to the purpose of His will (Rom. 8:28). Every realm. Every country. Every leader. All things work according to God's sovereign plan for His glory and our good.
This truth alone is enough to change the actions, words, and thoughts of every believer toward our present government and the status of our country and the world. If we continue to look at things from our "evangelical" materialistic-idealistic mind, then our battle-cry will be to revive our government to go back to the foundational principles (not that this is necessarily wrong, just miss-lead and over-emphasized.). Our battle-cry is Christ crucified, resurrected, ascended, and seated at the right hand of God. It is the gospel. It is the soon-coming return of Christ. It is Christ's final conquering of sin and death. It is God's glory!
This is the bigger purpose, the bigger goal.
Concerning the Election:
Tomorrow is coming. By the grace of God, the sun will come up and a new day will commence. People are going to "go to the polls", cast their vote and new leaders will be elected to power. Some have been saying that this is the "turning point", and that there is a lot at stake. Maybe this is true, I don't know. Does it matter? Really matter?
No.
God is God. All things happen according the purpose of His good and perfect will. He is sovereign. He raises up rulers, and casts down rulers. He only acts to glorify Himself. He is perfectly Good. Just. Righteous. Holy. Loving. Gracious. Merciful. Free.
The Right Response:
In the end, it doesn't matter what the outcome of tomorrow is, because God has already gone before to plan and purpose all things according to His will (am I seeming redundant? Good!). God's purpose is SO much bigger than our "dream" of an ideal America. It is so much bigger than going back to the constitutional principles. It is bigger than a man and his plan for economic growth. So much bigger!!!
Scripture tells us to live godly lives in this present age for the glory of God. In relation to our leaders as well. This means that whoever is elected tomorrow deserves our honor and respect. Because we love God and trust Him to place the person that He wants in power, we will do what is right and honorable in relation to that man. We will not slander him, or act in a hypocritical way. [1) It's sin 2) It is a horrible testimony to the unbelieving world around us. 3) God has called us to honor and be submissive to every human authority, as an act of obedience to Him.] We will place ourselves under the laws of the land in submission to our government, as long as it does not cause us to sin against God.
And if persecution comes at the hand of an evil ruler? It will. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise us. Christ promised us that in the world we would face persecution. The church has and is facing persecution for the sake of Christ. Will we be like the apostles who left prison rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer for the name of Christ? (Acts 5:40-42)
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment." Romans 13:1-2
"Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme or to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God that by doing good you should put silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:13-16
To God Alone be the Glory, Honor, and Power!
