God and Government

 

Pollsters tell us that more Americans voted in 2020 – 154.6 million – than in any other presidential election in history. About 67% of eligible voters cast ballots that year, but that still means a third did not. That amounts to about 80 million people who stayed home. According to My Faith Votes, an organization who studies voting patterns among Evangelicals, they estimate that 25 million Christians who are registered to vote, typically fail to participate in elections.

That’s pretty amazing when you think about the potential those votes could have in swaying the outcome of an election – even if there’s chicanery like there was in 2020.

As a pastor, I’ve heard many comments and criticisms from people over the issue of faith and politics. Some say, “Christians shouldn’t be involved politically, because its dirty and worldly.” Others say, “You pastors shouldn’t talk about politics because we should keep matters of the State and Church separate.” Still others are more fatalistic, “It doesn’t matter how I vote; nothing is going to change.”

But what does the Bible say? Christ has called us to be salt and light in the culture (Matt. 5:13-16) and that doesn’t end the moment we step into a voting booth. We dare not neglect our privilege to elect the leaders who best represent biblical principles. The choice not to vote is still a choice, and evil prospers when God’s people say and do nothing.

Jesus has commanded us to influence our culture rather than isolate ourselves from it. Salt is a preservative. It may not prevent decay, but it can delay it! God has given Christians in democratic countries a unique way to “salt” our world that Christians in other times and places did not have. So, Christians should work to select leaders who will govern according to God’s principles.

But political change is not our ultimate goal. The Christian’s highest calling is to bring people into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Earthly governments can either hinder or facilitate this. Personally, I would rather live in a country where we have the freedom to fulfill the Great Commission than to live in one like China or Iran where Christians are imprisoned and killed for their faith.   

But we’re not called to save America. We’re called to proclaim the Gospel. What our country needs most is a genuine revival wrought by the Spirit of God. We need the same spirit of contrition that the Ninevites had in response to Jonah’s prophecy. They humbly cried out: “Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jonah 3:8–9).”

And don’t forget how many times in the Bible, the Lord providentially placed His servants in places of political influence. Jospeh was prime minister over Egypt (Gen. 41). Moses often contended with Pharaoh to “Let my people go” (Ex. 7). Nehemiah was cup bearer to the Perian monarch who petitioned that he be given permission to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Neh. 2). Esther saved her people from annihilation by speaking to King Ahasuerus. In the NT, John the Baptist preached to Herod (Matt. 14:1-11), Jesus interviewed Pilate (John 18) and Paul told his testimony to Agrippa (Acts 26). Clearly, from these examples God wants His people to involved in government where and when they are given the opportunity.

Ultimately, we know that no matter what happens in the coming election, God is sovereign over nations (Dan. 2:21). Don’t let the donkeys and elephants make you forget that you belong to the Lamb!