Tomorrow, citizens of the United States of America will exercise a privilege many citizens do not have in this world. We will participate in our own government. We will choose our representative leaders and we will vote on various rules and laws that impact our lives and our government. It is a great privilege, but it is deeply flawed, as are we. Our “kingdom” is not next to godliness. It is a country of imperfect people lead by imperfect leaders. In short, this is a wonderful country but it goes so far. This is America; it is not the kingdom of God.
This is why we must temper our arguments and or emotions. Our country is not even mentioned in the Bible, nor is there any great power in biblical prophesy of the end times represented as coming from the West. We have an inflated idea of ourselves. We are way too self-important.
So vote because it is our privilege and responsibility as citizens, but do not hang your hopes on this government, nor think that this government has the capability of acting as the kingdom of God on earth.
The kingdom of God is something else. The kingdom of God is not a democracy ruled by an elected president; it is a kingdom ruled by a King. We don’t vote on our laws in the kingdom of God; we already have them. They have been handed down from above. Nor do we vote on our King; we serve Him.
The kingdom of God is here, but it is also in every other government and every other nation on earth. It’s a kingdom where people love and obey the King of kings. He alone is Sovereign and His rule is forever.
Therefore, there is no “Christian vote” because the systems of elected government are way too ambiguous to operate at every level on the principles of the kingdom of God. With only two parties and two candidates to choose from, politics is all about compromise. Some Christians will choose one side because certain issues are important to them. Other Christians will choose the other side for the same reason. Both will swallow certain issues they disagree with for the sake of what they deem important, and herein lies the compromise. Thus Christians will (and should) vote all over the political map, and this is a good thing. So temper all arguments, and love your enemies.
We must see this earthly kingdom as what it is – as human and fallible – and refuse to enter into the divisiveness and vitriol this current campaign has created. We want to be on good terms with everyone for the sake of the gospel.
It is commonly said that there are two subjects to be avoided if you want to stay out of an argument with anyone: politics and religion. It is good to remember, as you go to the polls, that the kingdom of God is not determined by either.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (who at the time of this writing was one of the worst dictators in history). (1 Peter 13-17)
John Fischer The Catch 
Amen, John. Very well written and such a good message – I have shared this with co-workers and have shared on my Facebook page. Thank you!
Thanks John….I needed this today! With the political climate as it is, I struggle to stay sane in an insane world and not get caught up in the worst of it. I will be sharing with others on my email list who are feeling as I do – this is a wonderful *reminder* to stay focused on the TRUTH of it all.
Yes Cathy, I agree with you! Well written John!
Excellent, John! I could not agree more!
Your opening comments brought to mind a statement I once heard the late Rich Mullins make in a radio interview. It was to the effect that he couldn’t get terribly excited about democracy, since a democracy/monarchy (for example) debate boils down to a question of how many sinners are going to rule. Why we ever expect heavenly results from a polling of sinners ought to be a great mystery to us. Maybe it will, maybe it won’t, be substantially better than other forms of government (in our experience, it has been, but will that always be true?), but our allegiance is ultimately to our King. I need to be reminded of that periodically; perhaps others need the reminder, as well.
I hear you…..BUT….There’s one point we can’t be neutral or too “heavenly-minded” about and that is this – We MUST vote based on which candidate stands with Israel!
Thank you John for another amazing column. Our pastor reminded us yesterday that if our candidate does not win God is still in control.
Thank you for your words of truth. I appreciate being reminded that this life will pass. God’s Kingdom will be forever. Love one another as Our Father loves us. God bless you.
Thank you so much for these comments. Politicians are, well, politicians. They may say one thing, mean another, then do another completely different thing. God, however, stands for love and justice on a level we can barely even scratch the surface of. We must both amuse and disappoint him often with our arguments and discussions. And really disappoint when someone post a really hateful thing about a politician or a whole party and then shortly after posts a Bible verse or a prayer request. I can tell you, my friends who aren’t believers (in Christ or God) really view this level of hypocrisy as unforgivable. Our church has all kinds of folks voting all kinds of ways. That’s how it should be in America anyway!! Thank you again!!
Thankfully, our Lord is in control, sovereign, and knows what’s best in each of our lives. Do you have the words or music to Dark Horse?
Maybe, we should take a lesson from John Wesley’s Statement:
On October 6, 1774, John Wesley, the founder of our Methodist movement wrote these words in his journal: “I met those of our society (the Methodists) who had votes in the ensuing election (those who were land owners), and advised them, 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy; 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against; and, 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.”
Yes, this is a democracy, but actually we have more than two parties. I am reminded this year as Jill Stein for President and Cheryl Honkala for Vice President what my female relatives taught me. My relatives are Grandma Vought, Grama Louie, my Mom, my sister, Aunt Estelled, my cousins: Joan, Janet, Evelyn, Judy, and Christina taught me that if you want something done right or correct let a women do it. Maybe we do have stewardship options in the Green Party’s New Green Deal.
Shalom and Agape,
Gary
In Canada, we tend to have similar polarization, even though the politics are different. The thing to remember is that as Christians, we are called to pray for our leaders, no matter what their politics might be or how righteous we think they are, The ones who exhorted us to do that were Peter and Paul and they were under CONSIDERABLY worse political conditions than we could ever be. I happen to believe that whoever is in power is there because God has put him/her there: the trick for us Christians is to trust that God knows what He’s doing and to seek Him as to why that particular person has been put in that particular position at that particular time, and then pray blessing and strength and wisdom over that person and that God will reveal Himself to him or her. It completely goes against the grain of human nature, but then, what of God’s plan doesn’t go against the grain of human nature? If we balk at the notion of praying blessing on a politican whose platform and policies we despise, we should ask ourselves just how much cursing politicians we don’t agree with has accomplished.
Excellent. Thanks for the view from the North country!
Thanks for this challenge; it’s not easy to do, but what we are called upon to do!
1.2 million babies aborted each year probably don’t appreciate our cavalier little political differences! Denominations require compromise; voting to further destroy family values is unconscionable! We are mandated to support our elected officials (and I will), but abortion & same-sex marriage is wrong. Also, I detest the “View” & Dave Letterman & Bruce Springstein has no business on Air Force One (now these are open to discussion & compromise).
To insinuate that either party has the market cornered on ‘family values’ is rather simplistic. That argument has never worked.
ALWAYS VOTE YOUR VALUES. DO NOT COMPROMISE ON THOSE. You know which party stands for life and which party stands for the woman’s right to selfishly choose.You know which party stands for God’s design for marriage and which stands for this made-up version of marriage that is being pushed down our throats. You know which party stands for the individual taking his or her God-given talents and abilities and making the most out of them – with God’s help, by His grace and to His glory – and which party stands for allowing the government to “help.” We’ve seen how good a job the government does at helping people. COMPROMISE ON THE THINGS THAT DON’T MATTER, BUT NEVER COMPROMISE ON YOUR VALUES. WE’RE NOT HERE TO GET ALONG – WE’RE HERE TO SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS AND REPRESENT GOD TO A WORLD THAT HATES HIM.
I also know when a person confuses their faith with their politics. Waitsel Smith – you basically stated that republicans are right and democrats are wrong. I beg to differ. Both parties are wrong. Both are right.
Definitely agree that there are “rights” and “wrongs” with/in both parties.
Just one more person weighing in to say that you’ve hit the nail on the head again, John!