HEELCATCHER

I recently read an article by John Piper entitled, "Christian, You Are Free Not to Vote."

It's true. There is no biblical mandate that says we must vote and, in Christ, we are free from the "inherent authority of human institutions" to follow Him above all.

So why do I think that we should vote?

1. We are part of the governmental process.

We are a nation, as described by Abraham Lincoln, of the people, by the people, for the people. It is a unique system of government in the history of the world. We are not ruled by kings but rather by a Constitution that gives us a part in the governmental process.

We may not want it, appreciate it, or even like it. But we have been given a voice, an active role, a vote in the direction of the nation, and it would seem to be an abdication of responsibility to neglect it or run from it when the choices get difficult.

In some sense, we are like a Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, or Esther, given a part in a secular government. If this is a valid comparison (which I think it is), then like Joseph we should seek to use our ability to preserve life (Gen. 45:5), like Daniel we should seek to speak boldly and compassionately despite the consequences (Dan.4:27), like Nehemiah we should pray for opportunity to protect and provide for God's people (Neh. 1:11; 2:7-8), and like Esther we should use whatever influence and voice we have to hinder the spread of evil (Esther 5:14).

It is only one vote…but it is our voice.

2. We understand the impact of government.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges prayer for all people, with a special focus on governmental leaders.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The decisions of governmental leaders affect many lives in the nation and in the church. That is why Paul urged prayer for those in authority. Our prayer is that governmental leaders would rule wisely and justly, come to know Christ as Savior, and provide and protect religious liberty, allowing us to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Certainly if we are to pray for religious liberty, we should also use whatever influence we have within government (e.g., a vote) to preserve it as well.

3. We have been given a great privilege through the sacrifice of others.

For those of us who have grown up in America, we certainly take our freedoms and system of government for granted. In fact, we spend much of our time complaining about it! But our freedom and our ability to vote came with great cost and therefore it should be appreciated.

The apostle Paul was privileged to be a Roman citizen. Though he remembered that his ultimate citizenship was in heaven (Philippians 3:20), Paul also used the rights of his Roman citizenship to call out injustice (Acts 16:37), to protect himself from unlawful punishment (Acts 22:25), and to seek a fair trial (Acts 25:11). Paul did not abuse his citizenship for personal gain, rather he used it strategically, when he was able, for the purpose of justice, protection, and the advancement of the gospel.

As citizens of America, we should thank God for the privileges we have and pray that we would use them wisely and strategically for His glory and our good as a nation.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:7).

Even if you are struggling with your vote for president, there are numerous other national, state, and local races that have tremendous impact on people in our nation.

As people with a great privilege and a great responsibility, we should care enough to pray, care enough to be informed, and care enough to vote.

I guess just about everyone has an opinion on the upcoming presidential election.

Here’s mine.

“It’s a mess.”

I love our nation and I am so thankful for the freedom, stability, security, and prosperity that we enjoy. Yes, we have our sins and shortcomings as a people but overall we live in one of the most privileged nations in the world…not only in modern times but in all of history. We have been exceedingly blessed.

So I lament the condition that we are in as a nation.

We are angry, divided, cynical, critical, dissatisfied and distrustful of one another.

It feels like our nation is coming apart at the seams. And this current election is only increasing the schism.

The two major party candidates are perhaps the most disliked and flawed in American history. Current polls say that close to 60% of the population extremely dislikes one of them. Thus, regardless of who wins on November 8, over half of the population will be sick to their stomachs. Hardly the prescription for national healing.

So how do I navigate through this mess? How do I vote? Should I even vote?

As a Christian, I have been confused, conflicted, and concerned throughout this election cycle.

Confused.

I’ll be honest. In watching the Republican primaries, I wanted any other candidate besides Trump to win. If there is one thing that the Bible emphasizes over and over when it comes to leadership, it is that character matters…character matters…characters matters. This is not about being moralistic but about being wise. A person can only lead out of the character they possess. Even if they have incredible skill and talent, their character will eventually seep through and affect everything they do. I simply could not…and still cannot…overlook, dismiss, or downplay his abusive language, sexual infidelity, and self-promoting pride. It is not just “locker room speech.” It is sin. It is not just “strong talk.” It is arrogance. It is not “just words.” It is the overflow of the heart (Matt. 12:34-37).

Conflicted.

But when I look at the other major option for president, I can equally say character matters…character matters…character matters. And though Clinton's sins and character flaws may be more covert and less sensational, they are equally disturbing. Political calculation. Media manipulation. Gross negligence. Denying responsibility. Skirting the law. Playing the political game. Holding both “public” and “private” positions for personal gain and power. The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them (1 Tim. 5:24).

Both major candidates fail the basic character test in my opinion.

So where do you go from there? The lesser of two evils? Third party? No vote?

In a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, I think we do have the privilege and responsibility to be involved in our governmental process…and at the very least, voting. Sure it is messy, unpleasant, and confusing but so is the rest of life. Ethical decisions in a sin-impacted, dysfunctional world are the challenges that force us to walk in humble dependence on the Lord.

It is hard for me to sit this election out. The next president could in theory appoint two or three Supreme Court justices during his/her term. Though the Supreme Court should not wield so much power, in our current political climate it does. When unelected judges appointed for life can “interpret” the Constitution based on their own political and social theories, then the balance of power has tilted to the judicial branch…with each Supreme Court appointee potentially influencing judicial decisions for the next 30-40 years. This is the real “prize” that many Democrats and Republicans are fighting for.

Plus I have read both the Democratic and Republican platforms…and they are miles apart. The Republican platform supports the sanctity of life, the biblical definition of marriage, the foundational priority of the family, and the protection of religious liberty. The Democratic platform either ignores these issues or rejects them outright. In the end, voting for a platform may be more important than voting for a candidate, even if going third party. That is where I have landed at this point.

Concerned.

This election is more about the character of our nation than the character of the candidates. Joseph de Maistre, a French philosopher, once said, “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” We have become a divided, distracted, angry, vulgar, entertainment-hungry culture. Our nominated candidates reflect our desire for image over substance and our abandonment of absolute truth for individual autonomy.

The book of Judges describes the nation of Israel at its lowest point…And there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (17:6; 21:25). The people had no authority and wanted no authority. They rejected God and denied His law. They wanted to become their own gods and the whole land suffered for it.

In other words, our real issues are spiritual not political.

No politician…no law…can change our hearts.

For that matter, no politician…no law…can end sickness, ban natural disasters, abolish death, transform lives, or promise eternal life.

Thus, our ultimate confidence must not be in “princes” or political leaders but in God (Ps. 118:8-9). This is not simply a cliché. When we are anxious, angry, or desperate for our candidate to win, then we betray where our true confidence lies. We can easily forget that God is sovereign and can direct a leader’s heart like channels of water (Prov. 21:1). Even the worst candidate elected could be humbled, changed, and redirected by the power of the gospel (e.g., 2 Chron. 33:12; 1 Tim. 1:13). Whatever happens on November 8, God is still on His throne working all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11).

Let your speech always be with grace… (Col. 4:6).

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth… (Eph. 4:29).

Remind them…to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men… (Titus 3:1-2).

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called… (1 Pet. 3:9).

Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all… (Rom. 12:17).

Even in a divided, cantankerous, confusing election, do not forget your calling, lose your focus, or harm your testimony for the sake of a post on social media.

So what is my position on this election?

Kneeling.

I am praying for wisdom as I go to the voting booth, for the preservation of religious liberty, for the salvation of governmental leaders, and for the church in America to be strengthened and unified around the power of the gospel rather than the power of politics (1 Tim. 2:1-8). And I am also praying that God will somehow act to bring healing and revival to this nation… that in His wrath, He would remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

I know everyone has an opinion on this election but wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord” (Prov. 9:10). Seek His face and cry out for His wisdom. He alone knows the future and knows what is best for our nation.

The simple promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 is more relevant than ever:

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Certainly that includes a ballot in a messy election.

dire. “extremely serious or urgent; causing great fear or worry” (dictionary.com)

This upcoming presidential election could certainly be classified as “dire.” Some would even call it “apocalyptic” with predictions of imminent doom to America and even the world depending on whom is elected.

Why does it feel this way?

We could argue that the two major party candidates are the most unique, flawed, and untrustworthy in Amerian history. Both candidates’ “unfavorability” ratings are hovering around 60%. This election may ultimately hinge on which candidate seems the least flawed and least untrustworthy to the American people. The lesser of two evils, so to speak.

But as I reflect on this election (and pray fervently for God’s wisdom and mercy!), I think of two additional reasons why this election seems so dire.

Government has become involved in every aspect of our lives.

Regardless of your opinion on the role of government in a society, there can be no denying that the federal government has expanded its spending and involvement in our everyday lives as Americans.

The Founding Fathers envisioned a limited federal government that would primarily provide for a national defense, preserve public peace, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, and conduct foreign affairs. Today, we have a federal government that subsidizes almost every thing we buy, use, and own. It directs our education, insures our health, provides our retirement, and offers over 2000 programs of assistance…while racking up over a trillion dollars in debt in the process.

The point is not to argue between capitalism and socialism but simply to point out that who runs our government is a bigger issue now than it was several generations ago.

Our government has become the Law more than submitting to the Law.

In 1644, Samuel Rutherford wrote a controversial book entitled Lex, Rex. It was so controversial that Rutherford was charged with high treason and his book was banned and burned in England. What was so controversial about it? Rutherford argued that there is no divine right of kings but that every king (or governmental leader) is under the authority of a higher Law.

In other words, the king (or government) is not the Law (Rex, Lex) but rather the king (or government), like its people, must submit to the Law (Lex, Rex).

Our system of government was founded on the principle of Lex, Rex. Our government is to submit to the Constitution which in turn is derived from the natural, universal Law of our Creator.

God’s Law > Constitution > Government

Instead, in more recent times, that equation has been changed. The concept of a universal Law rooted in God’s character has been denied and dismissed and the government has taken on the role of the interpreters and redefiners of the Constitution and of moral law itself. Thus, we are left with…

Government = “The Law” (or Rex, Lex)

The government today is the one who gets to define marriage, gender, life, civil rights, and liberty. And when the government begins to have that kind of power and authority then who is “in charge” becomes of preeminent importance.

The German philosopher Nietzsche envisioned a world in which there were no absolute truths or universal laws. In such a society, the only absolute is the “will to power.”

Whoever has the power makes the rules and rules the day.

This is the path we are on in America. Thus, we feel desperate to get our “candidate” into power because the consequences seem so, well, dire.

Imagine playing a team sport in which there is no agreed upon “rule book.” Instead each team spends the majority of their time fighting to get one of their guys into the role of “referee,” knowing that for a certain space of time the referee is the one who gets to make up the rules for the game. The game would cease to become a “friendly game.” It would become a vicious, manipulative battle and interrelational war.

Welcome to politics in postmodern America.

So what’s the solution?

A nation of people must be willing to acknowledge and submit to a universal Law, given by a gracious, sovereign Creator, in order to live in mutual peace.

Ultimately it’s a heart issue not a political one.

Thus, the solution is a heart one not a political one.

Whether America humbles itself and turns to God is not up to me…but whether I humble myself and turn to God is.

And that’s why I am on my knees.

Submitted to the King.

Dependent in prayer.

Hopeful (and joyful) because one day He will reign.