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Should Christians Vote |
Dear Brethren,
Every
four years, approximately 76 million voters go to the polls to
select the president of the United States. The debates can be
exciting and stimulating. For some, the contest is merely
entertainment, but for others, the election rises to the level of a
classic battle between good and evil. Can the practice of voting to
select a national leader possibly be wrong in the sight of God?
Many brethren in the major Church of God groups are starting to
believe, not only that voting is okay, but also that voting is their
civic and patriotic duty. What does God’s Word say on the matter of
voting?
Is voting a sin?
Primaries and national conventions can become thrilling with their
debates, promises, celebrations and regalia. It is very easy for
people to get caught up in the spirit and the atmosphere of the
challenge. There are always provoking and exciting promises - a
hope for good things, true values, life, freedom, peace, prosperity
and lower taxes. But, the real question is this: Is involvement in
political matters dangerous to our spiritual lives?
Deceived brethren sometimes begin to believe that they can help
bring about the Kingdom of God through their human efforts. They
feel that it is right and good to take action - “get involved” and
“take a stand," for the sake of our nation. There can be a natural
tendency to want to vote out the "bad," and vote in the "good." And,
it is true that in any election there is a party that adheres to
morality and religion better than the other side. But, we must ask
ourselves this question, “Whom does God want for president?”
Doesn’t God always want the most “religious” candidate? Well, the
answer might just surprise you.
God is not fighting a loosing battle to save the world, or get His man
elected. The Bible teaches that God sets up as leaders whomever He
wants, but they are not always what we would expect. God has given
mankind six thousand years to learn some basic lessons of what
happens when mankind does not live according to God’s will. God
sometimes sets up over nations the basest of leaders – low lifes,
right from the bottom of the barrel. “This matter is by the
decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones:
to the intent that the living may know that the most High rules in
the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomsoever He will, and
sets up over it the basest of men.” (Daniel 4:17)
Have you ever considered that in “picking the best person for the job,”
you might just be voting against the very person that God has
selected for the job? A vote for your candidate would be in fact, a
vote against God’s Will. “But if it be of God, ye cannot
overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against
God.” (Acts 5:39) Those who vote in
worldly elections apparently believe they know the plan of God.
There comes a time when God will allow a nation to decline according to
His purposes. Then, He will establish a base leader over that
nation to bring about its demise. God's selection of a candidate
may be someone who would slip into abject lawlessness, and not be
the upright contender who would try to maintain a semblance of law,
morality, religion and patriotism.
But, the fact of the matter is that we do not really know what is in
someone’s mind and heart. Sometimes a public official will be
exposed, off camera, for the heel he actually is. But for the most
part, we cannot begin to know the contestants the way God knows
them. Even the prophet Samuel thought that he could, “pick the
right man for the job.” Samuel thought he would recognize who
should be the next king over Israel. “It came to pass, when they
were come, that [Samuel] looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the
Lord’s anointed is before Him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look
not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I
have refused him: for the Lord sees not as man seeth; for man looks
on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
(1Samuel 16:6-7)
Daniel realized that it is God who establishes and removes powerful
rulers. “Daniel answered and said, blessed be the name of God
for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his: And He changes the
times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings.”
(Daniel 2:20-21) It does not matter how many people want their
candidate to succeed, God decides who will rule. “The Lord
brings the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices
of the people of none effect.” (Psalms 33:10) We have six
thousand years to learn that man's best efforts come to ruin. In
the end, the “will of the people” has no power or effect, because
God is in charge of the outcome of elections.
There is a much more important reason that it is absolutely wrong for
Christians to involve themselves in party politics and voting. It
has to do with our focus and priority. We look to God for
everything, because we are children of the Kingdom. If we were to
campaign, contribute, or vote for a political candidate, we would be
pulling for that nominee to win. To our spiritual detriment,
seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness could easily become
secondary to the affairs of men. “Seek you first the Kingdom
of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be
added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the
morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto
the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:33-34)
Let’s understand that in God’s eyes, and as Christians, we aren’t even
qualified to vote in local or national elections. Why? The answer
is because; we do not possess dual citizenship. “No man can
serve two masters." (Matthew 6:24) At our baptism, we
renounced the things of this world - including, our citizenship here
on earth. “Our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also
we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians
3:20) Jesus said, “My Kingdom is not of this world.” (John
18:36) Christians, even now, are part of God's Kingdom.
We are not a part of this world, and we are not deceived as this world is
deceived. Satan is the ruler of this present evil world and all
who are not called out of this world are still a part of this
deceived world (2 Corinthians 4:4, Revelation 12:9). Even though we
are not citizens here on earth, we are to be good citizens and
peaceably follow man’s rules and law in order to be a light to this
present evil world by the way that we live our lives (Matthew 5:14).
“Brethren, you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a special people; that ye should shew forth the praises of
him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
Who in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God:
which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly
beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims,
abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your
citizenship honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak
against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they
shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit
yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto
them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for
the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that
with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
(1 Peter 2:9-15)
The Bible says this, "... When the righteous are in authority, the people
rejoice: but when the wicked bear rule, the people mourn."
(Proverbs 29:2) There is a lot of sorrowful mourning going on
around our world today. That word, "righteous" - you know,
the Bible has all the answers! You have a question? The Bible has
the answer. What does it mean to be righteous? Righteousness is
defined as obedience to God. Righteousness, is keeping the
Commandments of God. But the Bible goes on to tell us that there
are none righteous. "There is none righteous, no, not
one." (Romans 3:10) What then is needed is a realization of
this fact by individuals and for there then to be repentance on
their part, and for them then to draw close to the mind of God.
"Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you." (James 4:8)
Here in the United States we print on our dollar bills the words "In God we Trust" -
but does we? No, instead, we trust in our military power. We trust
in the power of our money. This brings up the question as to how
anyone who is trying to obey every word of God, can be a politician
in today's world. Undoubtedly there are occasions when God does see
that certain individuals rise to a particular position in order that
His, God's plans, will be fulfilled.
Today's politicians are intent on winning the election and getting power and control
over the citizens and, at the same time, gain as much as they can
for themselves. Having achieved power they immediately apply
policies that they calculate will be the ones most likely to get
themselves re-elected at the next election. Their policies are not
primarily formulated with the well-being and prosperity of the
nation in mind, or peace throughout the world.
The Bible tells us that people cannot walk, or work, together, unless they are in
agreement. In the New Testament it puts it this way: "Do not be
unequally yoked together with unbelievers; for what fellowship has
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light
with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14) The Bible
makes it clear that although we live in the world if we are to obey God we
are inevitably going to be going a different direction. How then can
the politician who wishes to live by every word of God which, as the Bible
tells us we are to do, take a part in the governmental and religious systems
of today's world? These systems are collectively described as Babylon.
The dictionary defines it as "the great source and reservoir of enmity to
God, as well as the product of the "one mind" which gives power and
authority to false gods."
The Bible says this of the people of Britain and America, "... they have a zeal of
God, but not according to knowledge." (Romans 10:2)
Of the confused system as a whole it tells us "not be conformed
to this world; but - it continues - be you transformed by
the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2) It also
says to us that "There is a way which seems right to a man, but
the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25)
In order to be transformed we have to examine our present religious beliefs. Are
they really from the Bible? Most people have grown up with the
beliefs and practices that they have without checking if they are
indeed the Word of God.
Have you ever questioned your religious beliefs? Are they really to be found in
the Word of God. The Bible, God's Word, outlines how the world came
about, how it was populated, what the purpose is for Man on earth.
What the future holds for mankind. What he is to become. It has
the answer to the question, "Is death the end?" It will be for
some! Would that include you? How do you know!
Can two walk together except they be agreed? The answer is No! Can you be part
of this world's systems of government, both civil government and
religious, and obey God? Again, the answer is No! The
answer is, as the Bible says, "Seek you the Lord while He may be
found, call you upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6)
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| Sermon: |
"Should Christians Vote"
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