Godly voting

It seems wherever you turn, you can’t escape election coverage.  This week, church is no different.  We go to vote next Saturday, & like every part of life, it is an opportunity to express our faith in Christ.  So how should we vote?

First, with an understanding of government.  In a democracy, it is tempting to assume that government is our choice & subject to us.  Romans 13 makes it clear that all governments are established by God.  They are gift given to humanity to mediate His rule.  Just like God rules circumstances through the gift of storms or sunshine, God uses human authority to exert his rule.  Which means God expects governments to maintain justice: by both limiting evil & promoting good.  & He will hold rulers & nations to account – even if they don’t acknowledge Him (Ezekiel 25-34).  Reading through the prophets, you can see the rise & fall of nations is dependent on their record of justice & mercy.

Secondly, with an understanding of citizenship. The heart of good citizenship is recognising true authority - & adopting the authority’s purpose to be their own.  Rather than over analyse that definition – let me sketch something of what constitutes good citizenship.  We pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2); we willingly & enthusiastically submit (Romans 13) – & when service to God requires disobedience (Daniel 3), we expect to suffer (1 Peter 2); we pay our dues – especially taxes (Rom 13); we seek the good of others in society – as the exiles did in Babylon (Jer 29:7); all the while, we remember our home is heaven (Phil 3), saving us from the dark-side of Nationalism; we model godliness (like Daniel) & even call governments to account – as Paul did when he took the gospel to kings (Acts 9:15); & we don’t worry – knowing that Christ is in control.

Knowing something of what God expects of both governments & us, what are the Principles we take to the polling booth?  Michael Jensen recently posted an article on the ‘Sydney Anglicans’ website that had helpful suggestions:

We DON’T vote without thinking.  To leave the thinking to others is an avoidance of our responsibility to ensure governments act justly.  We DON’T vote for a Christian just because they are a Christian – for even secular leaders are God’s servants.  We DON’T vote for the bottom line of seeing our own wallets full & growing our greed.

We DO vote for the sake of others – fundamental to being Christian is that we are devoted to loving others.  Of course this is completely counter to how politicians know we vote – with self-interest.  We DO vote for righteousness & justice in our community.  We will ask which party best promotes God’s values: justice, peace, sexual restraint, honesty, generosity, the family, and mercy to the stranger & needy (to name some). As Proverbs 14:34 says: Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.  We DO vote for the poor & weak – for both here & overseas, for ‘He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is king to the needy honours God’ (Prov14:31).  We DO vote for the freedom to preach the gospel & policies that enable gospel advance.  We DO vote prayerfully – good government will be delivered not by our vote, but our prayers.

As you go next Saturday to vote – delight in the privilege.  But show your delight by examining the candidates policies in a Christ-like manner this week.

In Him,
Mark Smith