Our Participation in Politics – A Follow-up – Part 4
November 30, 2010
Dear Friends,
Q: I know you believe that God rules in our ecclesias, yet we vote within that organization without worrying about conflict with God’s will. Similarly, God rules in the kingdoms of men, so why not vote to promote good causes therein on the same basis?
One of the arguments that are commonly put forward for not participating in politics is along these lines.
- God rules in the Kingdom of Men and chooses the winners of elections.
- If I vote, I may vote opposite of God.
- If I did that, I would be going against His will.
One believer wrote to me about this logic and said “He wants me making decisions based on his truth! His will is going to be done no matter what I do! The ‘going against God’s will’ argument is lame. It just doesn’t hold water.” Frankly, I agree. I’ve never liked this argument. Since God’s will is going to be done, we aren’t going to change it. I can vote for the sun not to come up tomorrow, but it isn’t going to do anything except possibly make God laugh at my ignorance.
I do not believe there is anything intrinsically wrong with the process of voting (though I acknowledge that many brethren have put together arguments against it). There is never a “thus saith the Lord” or anything close to it in Scripture concerning the process of voting, so as far as I am concerned, where God is silent, I am silent too. Many ecclesias vote for all sorts of issues from the election of serving brethren to whether or not to purchase a new refrigerator. If the “voting against God’s will” logic were true, it would be equally true for the refrigerator vote as it is for a secular election. If God doesn’t want you to get the refrigerator and you vote for the purchase, you are going against God, right? If this logic is true, we wouldn’t ever make any decisions about anything in case we might be going against God’s will. “Do you want the tuna fish sandwich or the steak sandwich?” “You better decide for me. I don’t want to choose the wrong one and go against God’s will.”
I agree with the comment that “He wants me making decisions based on his truth! His will is going to be done no matter what I do!” God wants us to THINK. We read His word to understand His mind. We pray for guidance. We seek wise counsel. In the end we use the brains God gave us and try to make spiritually sound decisions. For example, if we only put forward as eligible brethren who embody the characteristics in Timothy and Titus for elders does it really matter how they are chosen, does it? Whether we do it by lot, or vote or a game of basketball, we end up with God’s will being done because we started off the process by following His clearly stated principles. We did our part by following God’s words and putting forward godly brethren who meet specific Biblical criteria. God does His part in their selection.
We can summarize this principle in this fashion. God wants me to make decisions and act according to His principles in faith. After I think and act in a godly fashion to the best of my ability, I need to leave the result up to Him. I don’t need to worry or take matters into my own hands. This is the essence of discipleship.
IF participating in worldly politics was the right thing to do, then voting would be fine. As we have already stated, we believe that voting in a secular election is involving ourselves in a Kingdom that is not our own. This is the problem, not going against God’s will on an election result. If we truly appreciate the separation between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Men, we need not rely on such a questionable argument about God’s will to compel us to abstain from participating in worldly politics.
Have a great week,
Comments»
A thought… I am an Australian citizen according to Australian law. I live in Australia and although I have been to the USA many times I have never resided there.
If there was some way that I could vote in American politics how appropriate would that be? How would Americans even feel about that? My opinion about Pres Obama or a State Governor or the gay rights issues?
Why should I have a say? It would surely be inappropriate as I am not a citizen of the the USA.
So, if I am a “stranger and a pilgrim” (Heb 11:13) in this world, how appropriate is it that I vote to influence its affairs – in any nation? Legally I am an Australian citizen but I am surely a stranger to the political processes here as I am in the USA. So why should I vote in Australia even (it IS a legal requirement here but I can legally abstain with a valid reason of conscience).
Sure – God’s Will WILL be done no matter what we try to influence. But why would we even want to put ourselves in a position where we risk being counter to His will and purpose?
DEAR Bro,