The Importance of Strong Christian Leaders in Government

This coming Tuesday is the midterm elections and it is imperative that everyone who is eighteen and over, be registered, and that they go out to perform one of their civic responsibilities and vote.  Our country right now is at a major crossroads, but we have the power to change that by voicing our choice in the form of our vote.  We have been given many opportunities to either vote early, by absentee ballot, or make sure that during the 12 hours the booths are open in our precincts, everyone should be able to find the time to vote.

All elections are crucial and important for us to participate in no matter what level they are (federal, state or local).  However, we must step up instead of finding excuses as to why we will not vote.  When we desire change, we must factor ourselves into the ratio, for it to happen or be effective.   This is a privilege and it should not be abandoned, discarded or overused.  We discard it when we feel the need to walk away and let things run the way it is meant to be.  We feel that our vote does not matter or will not affect the outcome and we decide to stay home instead.  Hogwash.  Let’s be the voice of change we are called to be.  Our mere grumblings cannot produce change if we do not seek ways to make that change.  How can we expect to move forward if we follow this line of reasoning?  Your opinion and voice are just as valid as the next person, so use it to do good.

During these tumultuous times some are afraid to identify with either party because of the fear of how the opposition will react or treat them.  This runs so much deeper than that, but to address this concern, these are indeed scary times.  Times in which we go for the jugular, take someone down without a thought of the consequences of our accusations, and find any means to get our agenda met regardless of who gets hurt or what program should be discarded.  We no longer fight fair.  We no longer stand upon our word, but rather the platform is uneven, unclear and so shaky that it is ready to topple.  We are motivated by the personal and political gain for ourselves and the concern for the rights of others has fallen by the wayside.  We are kids bullying other kids, and we have lost the sense to reason, treat one another with respect or value integrity above all else.

Both parties agree on how things should work out:  justice served, showing compassion, being prosperous and sharing in community.  Where they differ is the way to get or achieve these goals.  We need to closely examine the positions and intentions on both and/or all sides of the matter.

We need to rewrite the whole process and start over with a clean slate.  As Christians, we need to seek, support and vote for leaders who promote Christian principles.  We must work for the common good for everyone, not just for Christians.  When we do not have good leaders – we all suffer.  These leaders must follow the standards set in the Bible and not violate them.  These standards I am referring to pertain to the way we live our lives, set up firm foundations to build our marriages upon, how we raise and discipline our family, how we are to treat one another and how we live out our faith to honor God.

How do we start you may ask?  We begin with prayer.  We need to ask God to call leaders who are willing to do His will and who will desire to run for office to honor Him.  We need good strong leaders who will be responsible, honest, accountable, as well as, transparent, so that we (the public) can see what they have accomplished and how they accomplished all they did.     This fulfils our civic responsibilities such as is commanded in Matthew 22:21.

“They say unto him, Caesar’s.  Then saith he unto them, ‘Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.’”

We take this a step further when we invest our time to research the candidates and closely examine their stances on important issues. Where do they stand on important issues and on Christian values?  Do they respect the right to life or are they for abortion?  Do they want to teach the facts, or do they seek to make changes or implement new school policies geared towards embracing political correctness?  Do they seek the welfare of the people or oppress them unnecessarily and for their own personal gain?  Do they seek to preserve our fundamental rights or are they in favor of infringing on the rights of the people?  Do they seek justice and fairness for all or do they slant or shift the scales of justice in favor of the guilty or those easily bought for a price?   Where do their loyalties or allegiances lie with God or with the world?  We need not only research this, but we need to get involved as well by volunteering our service and time for a good cause. It is time to be the part of change that we are called to be.  Someone is called to run for office and many are called to support that candidate.

Next, we must show a united front.  We do so when we follow what the Bible teaches us. For example, we are called to respect authority as stated in Hebrews 13:17, informed that when we respect and follow our leaders, as good citizens should do, we should not fear our leaders as Romans 13:1-5 points out, and we are advised to subject ourselves to the law in Titus 3:1 and 1 Peter 2:13-15.

“Obey them that have rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief; for that is unprofitable for you.”

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God.  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil.  Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?  Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.  For he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon himself that doeth evil.  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”

“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready for every good work.”

“Submit yourself 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.”

Knowing this we now would need to examine what is the role of government.  In Romans 13:4 the role emerges when they realize who it is, they serve; to be upright, honest and against injustice in Exodus 18:21; chosen to be rulers in Deuteronomy 1:13; be fair and impartial in Leviticus 19:15; and in Psalm 2:10-12, put all their trust and faith in Jesus.

 “For he is the minister of God to thee for good.  But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon himself that doeth evil.”

“Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.”

“Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.”

“Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor.”

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth.  Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.  Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.”

Keep in mind everything exists under the sovereignty of God and for His glory as stated in Isaiah 42:8. It is not just for the good of humanity.

“I am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”

Government has limitations and God does not.  Government is temporary, and God is not. We are all asked to work together for the common good for everyone, but we must keep in mind that we ultimately serve a much higher authority.  An authority that commands us to follow His standards.  Take a moment, mull things over, and go with the choice He leads you with.  Then vote with a clear conscience.  Our votes do count, no doubt about that, but in the end, He is and will always be, in control.  You have His assurance that things will always work according to His will.  Trust that and trust Him.  God bless and Lord willing, the right candidates answer the call and serve with a faithful heart.