1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
Today, we have an opportunity to act in accordance with godly wisdom and to vote for candidates who are devoted to the tradition of righteousness and Biblical morality upon which this nation was founded. Proverbs 14 states:
33 Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
Yesterday, I talked about financial stewardship, in light of a Christian company founder who took a bold step and entrusted his company to God, the ultimate owner. Today, I think it's appropriate to talk about civic stewardship - as citizens of not only a heavenly Kingdom, but an earthly country, we are called, I believe, to bring God's influence into the realm of government. And, a simple step is to vote for candidates who best reflect our Christian values.
Decision Magazine, which is published by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, released a midterm election guide in its physical magazine, as well as its website. Franklin Graham, who leads that organization, issued this challenge in one article:
The Bible is clear that we reap what we sow. If we continue on our current path, and refuse to turn from our wicked ways, then the harvest of immorality, violence and godless culture will be bitter. While we focus on what pronouns to use, and what gender we are, nations like China, Russia and Iran are flexing their military and political power around the globe. There is talk of a new world order, and if America wants to once again be a shining city set upon a hill for the world to see, then we’d better get our own house in order.
That’s why it is so critical that you go to the polls on Nov. 8 and vote for candidates who best align with godly, Biblical principles. We can’t let the spirit of antichrist reign any longer. I believe that with God’s help, we can see our nation turn to Him once again in repentance and faith. We do not have to continue down this destructive path, but if we have two more years of ongoing open defiance of God’s laws from our elected leaders, then we are truly in a precarious position.
Franklin Graham went on to say:
It wasn’t so long ago that Judeo-Christian principles formed the foundation of our republic. God’s Word and His ways were esteemed and obeyed. Perhaps God in His grace and mercy will give us yet another season to do what is right in His eyes, and not like those who continually disobeyed when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25, NKJV).
Another Decision article related to the mid-term elections stated, relative to the critical nature of this midterm election:
In a recent Decision interview, Tony Perkins, who has spent nearly 20 years in Washington as president of Family Research Council, explained why:
“With the nation becoming more polarized and divided, each election grows in its importance because we have found that we have two very opposite views of the direction America should be going,” Perkins said. “We’ve seen that contrast in the last two years, and the outcome of this election will determine if we continue on that path or if we’re able to at least push the pause button and allow Americans to reassess this direction, such as transgender ideology being pushed on our children and the federal government being focused on trying to get abortions to women in states that have embraced pro-life laws. There’s a lot at stake in this midterm election.”
In the article, Perkins responds to a misnomer that has been perpetrated on the body of Christ, the thought that Christians should not be involved in the political process. The piece notes:
...some people criticize believers who become involved in the political process. They accuse evangelicals of being hungry for power.
“It’s a false premise,” Perkins responded. “Protecting unborn children and their mothers from the trauma of abortion—that’s being power hungry? Working to advance policies that would strengthen the family, so that children grow up with a mom and a dad and have a greater chance of success—that’s being power hungry? Bringing truth to the debate about the policies that govern our nation? That’s not being power hungry. If I were hungry for power, I’d go do something else—I would be one of these titans in the social media world. I would work in Silicon Valley, and I would exercise control over what people think and what they say. … Just because we are Christian and we come at this from the perspective of a Biblical worldview does not invalidate our voice in the shaping of public policy.”
That can be a clarion call to us to be good stewards of our citizenship in this nation to speak out about how it is governed. This radical system of government that has endured for well over 200 years based on the premise of participation of its citizens. The Founders were clearly influenced by the teachings of the Scriptures - so it stands to reason that Bible-believing Christians are well-suited to carry out the principles of the Word of God by participating in civic engagement.
Ultimately, our trust is in the Lord, but government is an institution that was ordained by God with specific purposes - to maintain order and to punish evil. In a world that has confused good and evil, we should vote for candidates who demonstrate clarity and who best possess a vision of moral authority that is consistent with the Scriptures.
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