As the year 2020 winds down and we enter the last few months, there is one thing foremost on the minds of many—“Who will be the next president of the United States?” As Christians, we are confronted by the numerous campaign efforts. Lawns are littered with folks expressing their sentiment on voting issues. Billboards are being used to catch the eye of the passerby. We might even find our ‘Christian’ neighbors or relatives encouraging us to “Get out and vote, because” they reason, “when good men do nothing, then evil triumphs”.
What does the Bible say to us about being involved in the affairs of this world? How did Jesus and His apostles relate to the affairs of the country in which they lived? Do we jeopardize our New Testament standing if we get involved in politics?
Ultimately, what is it that determines who gets into office? Is it the people who go to the polls to vote? Is it foreign countries who allegedly manipulate the voting? Is it the one with the strongest voice, the one who can shove himself to the top? Or is there something else that will ultimately decide who the winner will be?
There are more questions we could ask: Should we care about who gets into office? Is it important if the elected officials are pro-life or pro-abortion? Does it matter whether or not they support the LGBT movement? Does it make a difference if they have conservative values or if they are more liberal in their approach to morality? Do we care if they are pushing for socialistic healthcare and such like?
Of course, we care. There is a lot at stake. Depending who gets in, and what their agenda is, will make a big difference in the world in which we live. So, if we do care, and it does concern us, what should our approach be to the loud call to: “Get out and vote?” How should the Christian respond to the urging to get involved?
First, we have the teaching on the two kingdoms. If there are two kingdoms, what are the distinctions and who are the rulers of the two? Jesus, in answering Pilate’s question, stated, …My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence –John 18:36.
When Jesus was tempted by the Devil as recorded in Luke 4, Satan made the claim to be the king of the earthly kingdoms—And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it –Luke 4:6.
So, we have Christ’s Kingdom, which is not of this world with Jesus as its ruler; and we have the kingdom of this world, with Satan as its head. The Apostle Paul commands us: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing… –2 Corinthians 6:17. This reality of the two kingdoms can only be lived out by accepting that we, who are born from above, are a part of a heavenly kingdom even though we are currently living among those of the earthly kingdom.
The Apostle Paul describes the Christian as being an ambassador—Now then we are ambassadors for Christ… –2 Corinthians 5:20. If we are to take this concept, it also shows that we are citizens of another kingdom while we abide in this earthly kingdom. An ambassador represents the government of HIS home country while living at the capital of ANOTHER country. So, we are ambassadors of the heavenly kingdom and we are representing that kingdom here on this earth. An ambassador will not get involved in the politics of the country he is an ambassador to. His primary job is only to bridge communications between the two countries. So likewise, if we (as heavenly citizens) would vote while living in this earthly kingdom, we would be violating our position (as ambassadors) in the heavenly kingdom.
Furthermore, we can read in the Old Testament book of Daniel, 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 ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men –Daniel 4:17. In this verse we see that God alone is the one who puts men into positions of authority. It even says that he will put in place the basest of men. This word basest simply means, “low one.” As New Covenant Christians we ought to pray fervently and leave it to God to rule and give the position to whomsoever He wills.
How can we, as Christians, get involved in the voting of this world, when men get to the top of the polls by destroying their opponents’ characters, and trampling over everyone else to get to the top of the pile? In Ephesians we are told to …have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them –Ephesians 5:11. Campaigning for political office has become such a “dog eat dog”, such an assassination of character, that it is a far cry from the New testament teaching for believers. As Christians we are to, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another –Romans 12:10, our life is to be one of, Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing… –1 Peter 3:9, and we are to practice, Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another… –Colossians 3:13.
Rather than helping a candidate to secure his office, we should be reproving them for their ungodly attitudes and actions. You don’t need to drive far through urban or rural areas until you see the battle that is raging between the two parties. Ugly, unkind, demeaning statements are being publicly shouted from the signs along the highway. How can any Christian get involved in this war of words? What is meant when God’s Word tells us to …come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, –2 Corinthians 6:17. In fact the next verse continues the thought, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty –2 Corinthians 6:18.
The whole system is anti-Christian. The only option for Christ’s followers is to be completely separate, letting them have their kingdom, while we stick to ours.
Maybe the world understands the concept of the two kingdoms better than we do. Some time ago, a member of our congregation was asked to serve as a juror in our local court system. The husband called the court and asked for a release because of Christian values. Whoever he was talking to asked if he votes. He said, “No, he does not.” On that basis his wife was released from serving as a juror.
I think we underestimate the importance of keeping the lines clear between the two kingdoms. If we are “entangling ourselves in the affairs of this life” (2 Timothy 2:4), I fear we will lose the good graces that the government has given to us as conservative people—being recognized as a separate people.
As Christians, we have a gospel message that will change a person from the inside out. New converts to following Christ will become …a new creature: old things [will be] passed away; behold, all things [will] become new –2 Corinthians 5:17.
Going to the polls to try to change the world is going to be a losing cause. The government with its criminal justice systems, its prison systems, and its rehabilitation centers are primarily dealing with symptoms, instead of root causes. They will even tell you that a sexual molester will always be a sexual molester. However, we know that the gospel of Jesus Christ can truly deliver a person from his addictions, whether it be alcohol, drugs, or immorality. If every Christian would influence even just one other man or woman to become a true follower of Jesus Christ, then we will have accomplished more than we ever could by going to the polls every year for the rest of our lives. Going to the polls to change the moral climate of our nation is not the answer!
A friend of mine told me that there are over 100,000 homeless children living on the streets of Mexico City. It is also interesting that Mexico does not allow abortion. So, did the law fix the problem? No, the children were still unwanted. Even though their lives were not terminated, having over 100,000 homeless children in the city is certainly not a good alternative to allowing abortion. We certainly are not advocating for abortion; we are simply making the point that forced morality never fixes a problem.
If you and I can influence one mother to get born again, then rather than abort her child, she would love it, train it, and teach it Christian values, how much more will we have done for the good of the nation?! Those who scoff and say we are not doing our ‘Christian’ duty by not going to the polls, should consider that the gospel message in our hands has the potential to do a lot more.
I wonder if our prosperous lifestyle, and years of ease, has made us willing to cross the line of the two kingdoms. Are we so passionate to keep our homes, our businesses, and our affluent lifestyles that the thought of suffering has become foreign to us? If we think like the world, and live like the world, then we will begin to adopt the world’s methods (just so we can keep our little stash here on this earth).
Throughout the centuries, the belief and practice of those who are born from above has been …that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country [and that] …they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city –Hebrews 11:13-16.
If we examine the life of Jesus or His apostles through out the New Testament, we find that they never involved themselves “to make change” through the secular government of their day. Jesus and the Apostles preached a separate kingdom; they taught a very different kingdom lifestyle that did not allow them to blend with the carnal, earthly kingdom perspective. Their message was repentance. When have we ever heard that one of our country’s politician’s primary purpose was to preach the gospel and that folks were getting converted due to his position in politics? The kingdom of this world is known to execute itself through power and coercion; the message of God’s Word is that …we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren –1 John 3:16.
In conclusion, for us to go to the polls in November would be a violation of the two-kingdom principle and our kingdom focus. The rules involved in the game of politics, and the way it is played, is so anti-Christian that NO New Covenant believer should even begin to get involved nor should they want to be a part in any way. Our primary position is to go to God in sincere prayer. If Christians would truly care and would pray fervently, then I believe God will continue to orchestrate the affairs of the government for His purposes and for His glory.
So, how will we vote in the upcoming election? Let’s make our voices be heard in the halls of Heaven this November as we are commanded to in God’s Word—I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth –1 Timothy 2:1-4.
