WHAT WOULD JESUS DO ABOUT THE APPROACHING ELECTION?
Romans 13:1
I heard on a talk show this week someone comment on the fact that both candidates for president have made their faith a paramount issue in their political debates. That commentator remarked, “What a person believes really shouldn’t matter because religion and politics don’t mix.”
How often we have heard that…”religion and politics don’t mix.” We have heard it so long, that many people have come to believe it without questioning it. With the presidential election so near, this week I spent a lot of time this week thinking about… praying about…and researching that idea. And you know what I discovered? First I discovered that’s not what the Bible teaches. I found that at it’s origin, religion and politics have the same source…God. Romans 13:1 says
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. (NLT)
In other words, God is the source of political governments. And because God was the source of government, the early Christians were to treat government and its leaders with respect and obedience. 1 Peter 2:13 declares
3Submit yourselves (why?) for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.
Governmental authorities were to be obeyed not because they are always right…or because it will be easier for you…but because God “appointed” them. He put them in place and gave them power. So obeying them was obeying God’s will. Titus 3:1 says,
1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
Don’t let them forget this is what they are supposed to do…is the idea. And not only were authorities to be obeyed, they were to be prayed for. 1 Timothy 2:1 says
1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior…
If I am not mistaken, that is the only place in the entire Bible where you find the phrase, “First of all”. Paul’s point to Timothy is: Before you pray for anyone else…before you pray for anything else…first pray for those in positions of authority and leadership. And not only were Christians to pray for leaders of government, they were also to show them special honor them. 1 Peter 2:17 declares
17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Why were they and us called to do that? Because the Bible teaches that government just doesn’t happen. God orchestrates and establishes it. So to say “religion and politics don’t mix” is to deny the divine origin of governments lies in God.
But I found something even more fascinating…that the organizers of our nation not only believed that religion had a place in politics…they put it at the very heart of the founding of our nation. Listen for a few minutes to what Patrick Henry said,
It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ! In his own memoirs, The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, John Jay wrote these words,
Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation, to select and prefer Christians for their rulers. (John Jay, , The Correspondence and Public Papers of John Jay, Henry P. Johnston, ed. (New York: G.P. Putnams Sons, 1890), Vol. IV, p. 365.
Doesn’t sound like John Jay believed that politics and religion weren’t to mix. By the way, does anyone know who John Jay was? The first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
During the War of 1812, the House and Senate passed this resolution requesting that the President James Madison recommend a day of national public humiliation (repentance) and prayer, which President Madison passed on July 9, 1812. Here is part of that proclamation
Whereas the Congress of the United States, by a joint resolution of the two Houses have signified a request, that a day may be recommended, to be observed by the people of the United States, with religious solemnity, as a day of public humiliation and prayer…
Can you imagine that? Bipartisan Congress putting aside their political differences and calling on the president to proclaim a national day of repentance and prayer? Here’s a little more of that proclamation
I do therefore recommend a convenient day to be set apart, for the devout purposes of rendering the Sovereign of the Universe, and the Benefactor of Mankind. The public homage due to His holy attributes; of acknowledging the transgressions which might justly provoke the manifestations of His divine displeasure; of seeking his merciful forgiveness, and His assistance in the great duties of repentance and amendment; and, especially, of offering fervent supplications, that, in the present season of calamity and war, He would take the American people under His peculiar care and protection; that He would guide their public councils, animate their patriotism, and bestow His blessing on their arms; that He would inspire all nations with a love of justice and of concord, and with a reverence for the unerring precept of our holy religion, to do to others as they would require that others should do to them; and, finally, that turning the hearts of our enemies from the violence and injustice which sway their councils against us, He would hasten a restoration of the blessings of peace.
Given at Washington, the 9th day of July, A. D. 1812
James Madison --[Source: James D. Richardson, A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents (Washington: Bureau of National Literature, 1897), Vol. II, p. 498]
Sounds like President James Madison and the Congress of his day believed that religion and politics should exist together. In the first farewell address of any president, George Washington wrote
Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness—these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked, "where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice?"…forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
It is substantially true that virtue or morality is a necessary spring (that is source) of popular government.
You see folks, we have been fed a lie all along that faith and politics should not mix. And we have believed it… And we have heard it long enough that we believed it to be true, even though the Bible AND our founding fathers said otherwise. Look at what President John Adams said,
Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people...it is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
The very political document that constitutes our nation presupposes that religion would part of political and public life. You see, there’s a good reason that In God We Trust is on our currency… and a good reason our Pledge of Allegiance contains the phrase “One nation Under God”…and there is a good reason that The Declaration of Independence speaks of the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God and the certain unalienable Rights endowed on them by their Creator. And do you know what that reason was? Our forefathers really believed that not only religion and politics were to work hand in hand, but they went so far as to declare that the Christian faith WAS NECESSARY in the political realm. Some, like Daniel Webster (known as the defender of the Constitution) believed that a prerequisite for all judges be that be Christians of high esteem,
The last hope of the innocent, under accusation and in distress, is in the integrity of his judges. If this fail, all fails; and there is no remedy on this side the bar of Heaven. Of all places, therefore, there is none, which so imperatively demands that he who occupies it should be under the fear of God, and above all other fear, as the situation of a judge. For these reasons, perhaps, it might be thought that the constitution has not gone far enough if the provisions already in it were deemed necessary to the public security.(Source: Daniel Webster, The Writings and Speeches of Daniel Webster, (Boston: Little, Brown, & Company, 1903), Vol. III, pp. 3-7.)
Read what they wrote and you’ll discover that most of our founding fathers would laugh at the very idea that politics and religion don’t mix? They believed that our nation was established with the help of God. And they expressed their conviction that as believers, they needed to be involved in the working of their nation.
This is the last of our series of sermons on what would Jesus do…and today I want to talk to you today about: What would Jesus do as children of God in an election year? That really is an important question because a week and a half from now, the American people will elect it’s next president. The people of Illinois will elect many state leaders. So this is an issue on all of our front door steps. What would Jesus do in an election year? First of all, I believe Jesus
I. WOULD VOTE…AND HAVE US VOTE TOO.
Let’s go back to that Romans 13:1 text again. The Bible says
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. (NLT)
That verse indicates that God is the source of political governments. He not only establishes the rulers…but also the way the government rules and operates. That means that the democratic system of government God placed in America. And since our system allots individual citizens to participate in choosing their leaders through, Christians not only have a national right to vote…they have a God given responsibility to be involved and vote in the system God ordained. Samuel Adams put it this way,
Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual--or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.--Samuel Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Harry Alonzo Cushing, editor (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1907), Vol. IV, p. 256, in the Boston Gazette on April 16, 1781.
You see, Adams understood that voting was not just a right…it was a responsibility for Christians to uphold. And like every responsibility God gives us, God will hold us accountable for what we do or not do with it.
Today, America is struggling with it’s own moral identity. I think that is due, in part, because many Christians do not understand that voting is not just a political privilege and right. It is also an expression of our faith…because it is a stewardship issue. Remember the parable of the talents in Matthew 25? A man gave entrusted to each of his three servants five, two and a single talent…and then came back to settle up with them…to see what they did with their talent? Our vote is one of the “talents” God has entrusted to us. He has given us the opportunity to determine who will rule over us and establish policies for the citizens of our nation. And too many believers have chosen to bury their talent in the ground and do nothing with it, by not voting. The philosopher Plato said
The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.
We cannot continue to allow false ideologies to fill the vacuum created by our lack of voice and involvement. The great evangelist of the 19th century, Charles Finney once wrote
The church must take right ground in regard to politics. Politics are a part of a religion in a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God...He will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.
What would Jesus do about the approaching election? He’d vote…just like I’m convinced Jesus would pay his taxes on April 15th…because that is part of the governmental system our Heavenly Father has created. Express your faith and your conviction and vote…and when you vote remember to
II. VOTE VALUES FIRST…NOT ECONOMICS.
Understand, what God is really concerned about is the heart of the leader and not the promises candidates make to the people to take care of them. Every person who runs for office makes promises…some we hope he or she will keep and others we know he or she probably will not be able to keep. What we need to be concerned about is not the promises candidates make to us. Promises are made and broken all the time. We need to be concerned about the heart of candidates. Proverbs 23:7 says
As he thinketh in his heart, so he is…(KJV)
In other words, if you want to know what people really are like, forget about what they say. Words and promises made when cameras are rolling are cheap. Look at what a person’s heart is like. Look at their actions over the long haul. Jesus said in Luke 6:45
45The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
By the way, that’s why we should never discount the personal faith of a candidate. Political columnists will try to tell you that isn’t important. Can I ask you…is it important to you that your stock broker is a person of integrity and not a crook? Then why isn’t it important that you Congressman and President be a person of integrity too. In the Old Testament, Moses was told to
21…select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus 18:21)
What made a person “capable” to judge others was they feared and God and were proven to be trustworthy. 2 Samuel 23:3 says
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God (KJV)
You see, whichever candidate you chose to vote for…choose on the basis of their values, not their economics. In his work, History of the United States, Noah Webster writes,
When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers, "just men who will rule in the fear of God." The preservation of government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. Noah Webster, History of the United States (New Haven: Durrie & Peck, 1832), pp. 336-337, ¦49.
Every elected official should be scrutinized, because we are placing them in an office or position of trust…where the potential for helping or hurting people and our nation is great. What is it that Proverbs 11:11 says
11Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.
It is your God given right and responsibility to vote. But when you vote, you make sure that values, not economics, shapes your vote. Thomas Jefferson once said,
The reason that Christianity is the best friend of government is because Christianity is the only religion in the world that deals with the heart.
And God is always concerned with the heart. By the way, never forget, that your financial needs are already covered by God. Jesus said in Matthew 6:45 that if we
33seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (your clothing, your food, your needs that He had been talking about previously) will be given to you as well.
I don’t need a candidate telling me he is going to take care of me…if I really believe what the Bible says. And if I have a choice between what a political candidate promises and what God promises, I’ll always choose God. We can trust God to take care of us…can’t we?
One final thought I want to share with you today. When it comes to choosing a candidate,
III. VOTE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES…NOT A POLITICAL PARTY.
You see, our ultimate allegiance should not be to any political party. It should belong to God. Tony Campolo was once asked,
“Do you think God is a Democrat or a Republican?” Neither…He is bigger than any political party.
Do you believe that? Then don’t let some newspaper reporter or movie producer or Hollywood actor or even friend or family member ultimately influence the way you vote. God and His word should have ultimate sway in that matter. You see, if He is Lord of all, doesn’t that mean God should be Lord when it comes to which lever we pull in a voting booth?
The problem we all face is trying to find out which candidate God would have us vote for. That’s why every believer ought to research the candidates. Watch the debates. Listen to what they say. Read and look on line for voter guides, which indicate what their past actions were concerning issues that are important to God. Get a voters guide and see what they stand. In his 1823 work, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to Which is Subjoined a Brief History of the United States, Noah Webster wrote
In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate--look to his character. --Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education to Which is Subjoined a Brief History of the United States (New Haven: S. Converse, 1823), p. 18.
Remember Proverbs 29:2 says
2When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.
So do your homework…pray and seek God, make your decision and vote. In his article, "A Century of Congress" published in Atlantic magazine in July 1877 President James Garfield said this
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature.... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation...it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.
In every election, the future of our nation hangs in the balance. Let’s let our faith in the Living God, who loves us without end and who leads us into all truth help shape that future. And may God bless America.
