Election '08: HWJV? Part II
I believe the most important question facing every Christian this election season is HWJV? How Would Jesus Vote? However, it is very difficult to find a true biblical answer to this question by listening to the candidates or listening to the media. Instead of clarity on the issues we often get obfuscation, mud slinging and charge and counter charge. Truth seems to have very little to do with the political process in an election year where the NUMBER 1 goal by most politicians is simply to get elected. Most politicians seem willing to say and do and spend whatever it takes to get elected!
In trying to determine HWJV we have to ask the question: Does God support one party over another party? Does one particular party have a corner on biblical truth more than the other party? If so, can we confidently say that the Republicans/Democrats (circle one) is God’s party and that all Christians who are truly walking with God should vote for that party? Also, can we say that if Jesus was an American citizen walking on this earth today he would surely be a card holding member of the Republican/Democrat (circle one) party and He would surely vote for all of its candidates? Can we say this?
If “yes”, if God supports one particular party over another party, than there are important implications for the church today:
1. In order to be the leader or the pastor of a church you should pass the litmus test of proving conclusively to the membership that you support GOD’S Party (whatever that might be). If you don’t…you’re out!
2. The church is NOT the place for discussion of the political issues and how the Bible and Christianity impact those issues. The discussion takes place at the party level and the church simply accepts the party platform and falls in line behind the party leaders. It is NOT necessary to discuss the theological or biblical merit of political issues since that has already been taken care of for us by our party leaders.
3. The other party is WRONG…all wrong!!! In fact, the other party is operating in the realm of the Enemy! Any Christian who supports the other party is in the camp of the Enemy and should be looked on with suspicion, avoided at all cost, or even kept out of our church if possible. If we allowed them into our church we might have some honest and open political discussion.
I strongly disagree! I do not believe that God supports a particular political party. I believe the truth is:
1. Neither party perfectly reflects the heart of God or the teaching of the Bible or of Jesus. Both parties have some things right and some things wrong, but ultimately both parties represent the kingdom of this world and the realm of Satan who is the ruler of the world (I John 5:19). Just turn on your television during this political season and watch various candidates running for office from both parties beat up on each other using lies, innuendos and stretching the truth to win and you will see the Ruler of this world actively at work.
2. Christians need to be very careful when they put the stamp of "God approved" on a candidate or on a party. That candidate and that party will probably disappoint and do things dishonoring to God and to His kingdom.
3. The church should be the place where Christians can gather and discuss political issues in openness, grace and mercy. The leaders of the church have a tremendous opportunity in an election season in engage people in the important theological issues behind the political debate. The issues are too important to leave them solely to the politicians. If we can’t honestly and openly discuss the political issues of our day within the church without attacking each other, why do we criticize the politicians for their attack methods? We are the same as the world!
Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”…, and “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 8:32; 14:6). Christ alone is the TRUTH! Political parties have the truth only as much as they surrender to Jesus as Lord and Master. I did not see any politicians at the Democratic or Republican conventions stand up and acknowledge Jesus as the Lord and Master of their parties (yes…maybe individuals…but never parties)….and I do not expect it to ever happen. The calling of Christians is to spread the Kingdom (rule) of God NOT the kingdom (rule) of a particular party.
I challenge you to continue to pray and to honestly ask HWJV??? How Would Jesus Vote? Examine the issues in light of the bible. Talk about the issues outside and inside the church. Ask Jesus, the author of truth, to guide you in the truth! Love your brothers and sisters in Christ because they love Jesus not because they pass your political litmus test. Lastly, make Jesus the focus of the Church and NOT politics!!!