How Would Christ Vote?
The 2019 candidates for the Cariboo-Prince George riding.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”
(Romans 13:1–7, ESV)
While traveling about in the last week, one cannot help but notice the many political signs being put up. They are of varying colour and size. Each carries the name of an individual candidate as well as a party … each hoping to earn their spot not only in Ottawa but in history.
Elections are exciting and yet frustrating to me. There is a sense of energy and anticipation that goes with it; it is a race, and we are all wondering who will win. But, in the excitement, there can be some tactics to win that reveal the true character of those running (character that is not so respectable).
How do we as Christ-followers process the issues as well as the character of those running? How do we weed through the frustrations of politics and remain engaged with the issues? How do we ask the important questions to further God’s Kingdom values even within a political system that more and more rejects God? How can we really know who shares our values, and which of those values should play the largest part in determining who to vote for? With an 18 year old in the house now, how do I help her (new voters) to see and process the issues?
I would like to encourage dialogue amongst us to process the election issues. Let us help each other vote by Christian values. Let us engage and participate in the election, not putting anyone down but promoting what God stands for as we are given opportunity.
Please use the comment section below to share your thoughts and questions.