Many Christians believe today that they have no responsibility to participate in the political process of this country, for that matter any country. Romans chapter 13 is very direct in its demand that we be in subjection to the governing authorities. This is not to say, ever, that our subjection to the government outweighs our subjection to Almighty God. But we must ask ourselves just who the governing authorities are in this country, or any democratic state.
A simple study of this, the United States, government will reveal that it is WE who are the governing body. Yes, you might think yourself, a minute individual, a tiny part of the whole mechanism and therefore convince yourself your participation doesn't / won't matter. But you are wrong. Read your Bible and see the LARGE part SMALL persons have played in God's plan. Doubting your significance is to doubt the absolute sovereignty of God.
Other's claim our citizenship in heaven as believers removes any participatory responsibility toward our earthly citizenship. In this regard, we should view ourselves as ambassadors of Christ. In this country, subjection to the governing authorities means at the minimum to vote. Can God correct the ills in this country without our "vote"? Of course He can. Question is, should He? We have a God given priviledge to participate both directly and indirectly in the course of this nation's government.
Does this mean we start to depend on the SYSTEM to restore Judeo / Christian values to our society? No. Systems and programs are merely the means by which God MIGHT work, never a replacement for His sovereignty. Is God obligated, then to turn things around should EVERY Christian cast his/her vote? God is NEVER obligated to us. We are forever obligated to Him.
I encourage you to vote in the coming elections. I encourage you to participate in any way the Lord might move you. It is imperitive, though, that you remember the limits of the law - both civil law, and, more importantly, God's Holy Law.
It is with this hope in mind I provide for you links to websites that can help you become an informed voter. The issues can get quite deep and mangled in endless rhetoric. These websites provide quick, relevant information with, for the most part, unbiased views on the people in politics. I do not vouch for their validity - that is something you should investigate yourself should you become concerned. However, what I have read has checked true thus far.
One final note: Don't ever let your zeal or love for this country usurp your responsibility and devotion to God. Politics will fade with the flowers and grass - but your relationship (or lack thereof) with God will remain FOREVER. If you don't know God personally,
GET TO KNOW HIM. If you do know Him, don't forsake Him, as He NEVER will forsake you. Godspeed.
It was not until I took a course in Political Science that I ever considered politics either interesting or really important. This is most unfortunate. Though as an interest, politics still remains barely discernable in scope, it does, however, register itself as an inescapeable part of life.
The Skeleton's Closet website. I got this from the New York Times website. Normally I don't
fall into the dirty laundry people put out on others. We all have "skeletons" in the closets of
our past. But, as this site states, in the arena of politics, "integrity does matter!"
Another, perhaps more "politically correct", website
called Vote-Smart. It keeps up to date information on
all the candidates in and running for public office.
