Voting

I’ll add excerpts throughout the day, as well as some thoughts by others, but I’m going to start with this John Wesley quote from a piece by Scott Sauls.

“For people who will vote, I urge them to vote for those they judge most worthy, and to speak no evil against the person they voted against, and to take care that their spirits are not sharpened against people who voted on the other side.”

“So then, as we in the United States anticipate the election of another new slate of leaders, perhaps we can take a step back and remember a few things.

First, the shoulders of a president and a house and a senate are fare too small to carry a government. Remember that the government is already resting on the shoulders of the Prince of peace. His kingdom is already here, of the increase of His government there will be no end.

Second, the kingdom of God is above this world, and is not of this world. God plays by a different set of rules. His ways are often contrary to ours—and always higher than ours. Remember how little Jesus and the apostles ranted against and panicked over the secular, anti-religious, power-thirsty, and blood-thirsty Caesars of their day. Not once that I can recall. Can you? When face to face with Pilate the governor, who had the power to crucify or set him free, Jesus said, “You would have no power unless it had been given to you from above.” About Herod, the most powerful leader in the land, Jesus called him a fox. This was not a term of endearment or flattery. Rather, it seemed more like a flippant dismissal, even as he was on his way to the cross.

And to us, Jesus never says stand up for your rights. Instead, and into a hostile, anti-religious political climate, he says things like “Blessed are the persecuted” and “Render unto Caesar what belongs to Caesar.”

And to God what belongs to God.

Third, and to Jesus’ point that all power held by all earthly rulers is given by God alone—The American public will vote this week as it does because God, in the mystery of His providence, has already cast the deciding vote.

Fourth, the heart of every king and ruler (and house member and senator) is in the hands of God.

Fifth, believing people need to be praying for, honoring, speaking well of, and submitting to their leaders. Romans 13, written to Christians living under the heavy, anti-religious, violent fist of the Roman Caesar, says that submitting to government (except when it violates conscience to do so) is a moral imperative. And so is restraining the tongue when we are tempted to curse or speak ill of this leader or that leader.

Sixth, let’s remember that, with very few if any exceptions, Christianity has advanced and flourished most when the state was against Christianity, and it has languished and suffered most when the state was for Christianity.”

“So then, if you are devastated or irate over the outcome of this week’s election, relax. We only need, and already have, one Messiah, and He will not lose this election.

And if you are ecstatic about an election outcome, relax. Take inventory. We only need, and already have, one Messiah, and He will not win this election.“