Confession time. As a man in his forties, living in these United States, I have never voted before.
I grew up with the belief that Christians should not vote. You know, the whole thing about being Ambassadors for Christ and our citizenship not being of this world, and so on.
2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore we are envoys on behalf of Messiah, as though Elohim were pleading through us. We beg, on behalf of Messiah: Be restored to favour with Elohim.
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in the heavens, from which we also eagerly wait for the Saviour, the Master יהושע Messiah,
Of course, we also knew that ultimately it was our heavenly Father that put leaders into place. We wouldn’t want to presume to know his will, would we?
Romans 13:1-2 Let every being be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from Elohim, and the authorities that exist are appointed by Elohim.
2 So he who opposes the authority withstands the institution of Elohim, and those who withstand shall bring judgment on themselves.
In recent times, I’ve come to the opinion that just perhaps that anti-voting belief was incorrect. Of course, I need to be able to support any belief with the Bible, and not just my personal opinion. I can have opinions all day long, but they are worthless if they don’t have a firm foundation.
Remember, our citizenship is in the heavens. Messiah even said that we are not of this world.
John 17:16 “They are not of the world, as I am not of the world.
But does that mean that we are not to take part in the world? I think that it we look at the verse just before, we get an idea of the answer to that question.
John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the wicked one.
He (Messiah) did not pray that we would be taken out of the world. If therefore we are still “in” the world, should we not then participate where appropriate? In this world we are subject to the laws and regulations of this world, and have no choice but to be a part to many things.
Mark 12:17 So יהושע said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to Elohim what is Elohim’s.” And they marvelled at Him.
“Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.” Doesn’t sound like we are supposed avoid participating in the world that we are in. A bit like the saying, “No man is an island.” We can’t take ourselves out of the world, why should we not be a participating member of society.
So, at this point, I’m sure that someone is thinking that we just need to have faith that our Father will appoint the authorities (Romans 13 again). Does it take more faith to sit back and do nothing or to take some action.
James 2:17 So also belief, if it does not have works, is in itself dead.
So, faith (or belief) is dead without works. What are these works? Put simply, these works are our actions. Without action, our faith is dead. In the Bible we read of many that had great faith, and we read of their works. In Hebrews 11, often referred to as the faith chapter, we see repeatedly the works of those that are deemed to be examples of faith.
Noah – prepared an ark (action)
Abraham – moved to a strange land (action)
Abraham – offered up his son (action)
The parents of Moses – hid their baby for 3 months (action)
You can read more on your own, those are just a few quick examples.
Another quick thought about faith being of action.
Ephesian 6:16 above all, having taken up the shield of belief with which you shall have power to quench all the burning arrows of the wicked one.
It’s the shield of faith (belief). How does one use a shield? Think of soldiers or knights on the battlefield. They wouldn’t just set it in one place and leave it there. For the shield to be truly effective, they needed to turn it to put between them and the attack. If the “arrows of the wicked one” are coming from our left, we better be putting that shield on our left side. If they are coming from the right, guess what. Yes, the shield goes on our right. If we don’t actively position our shield, it is not going to be effective.
Perhaps a little more light could be shed on this subject by thinking of something else that our Messiah said:
Matthew 5:13-16 “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless, how shall it be seasoned? For it is no longer of any use but to be thrown out and to be trodden down by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. It is impossible for a city to be hidden on a mountain. 15 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house. 16 “Let your light so shine before men, so that they see your good works and praise your Father who is in the heavens.
So, we’re the “salt of the earth.” I don’t know about you, but the salt in my kitchen doesn’t seem to do anything if I just let it sit in the container. I actually have to shake out a little salt, or grind some salt, for it to be effective. If, then, I’m going to be the salt of the earth, sitting at home and doing nothing is not going to be very effective. I want to be of use.
Then, in verse 14, Messiah says, “You are the light of the world.” Just like a flashlight does nothing in a dark room if you don’t turn it on, I cannot be the light, or a light, of the world if I don’t take some action. As believers, we are told “Let your light shine before men.” We have to be among men for them to see our light.
In either case, we are called to action. We aren’t called to be simply bystanders of what this world is doing. We need to take are part, and we need to take it seriously.
1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the esteem of Elohim.
His esteem, not our own, is the goal. Whatever action we take, “whatever you do,” must be with that in mind, but action must be taken.
So, yes, 2020 became the year that I voted for the first time. It’s about time that I make my voice known in one way or another. I know that ultimately, regardless of the outcome, our Father, Yahweh, is in charge.
One last thing that I feel is very important, regardless of what action you have personally chosen to take or not to take, follow this advice:
1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, 2 for sovereigns and all those who are in authority, in order that we lead a calm and peaceable life in all reverence and seriousness. 3 For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Saviour,
All scriptures quoted are from The Scriptures version by the Institute of Scripture Research
The image at the top of this post is © 2020 by Craig Pifer, All rights reserved. Unrelated to the post, but it looks happier with an image.
