1. The Church flourishes when oppressed by government.
The first century Church grew by leaps and bounds when they were being thrown to the lions for the masses to enjoy. Or dipped in tar and lit on fire to light Nero’s parties. They were surrounded by pagans and the most horrible of sins and they were FLOURISHING. Because they were different. Because people craved a loving Savior like Christ. The punishment for Christianity was death but people were being baptized into Christ all over the world.
2. We’ve seen much worse times than these.
This pretty much goes with number one, but I felt that it needed to be said. Christianity was punishable by cruel, cruel deaths. There may be decreasing morals in this country, but we aren’t quite to capital punishment for the Sunday morning crowd. Yeah, it’s bad now. I don’t like it anymore than any other Christian. But there comes a time when we have to cast our vote and give it up to God. Let Him handle this. His will be done. Not mine.
3. It isn’t our job to govern morality.
Governing morality is a sticky business. You can’t force people to uphold Christian values. God doesn’t force people to. Sure, it would make temptations much easier to resist if they were so prevalent, but still, always we resist. This is when we stand out. And people say “Why?” And we tell them it’s because of Jesus. That’s how you reach people. Not by forcing them to behave like we want. I mean where would it end? We don’t govern adultery or lying. Which sins are legal and which ones aren’t? Like I said, governing morality is sticky business.
4. Romans 13:1-5:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of his conscience.”
God’s will will be done. That’s the bottom line. God puts all authorities in our lives in place. He has his reasons.
5. Jesus was born to a Nazarene carpenter.
Jesus, King of Kings, could have been born to whomever He wanted, and in whatever social or political position He wanted. You know what He wanted? To be in the best position to teach people about Him. If that position was to be a ruler or a political leader in the Roman government, that’s where He would have been born. But He wasn’t. If, in His lifetime, He thought the best way to show people His love and salvation was to get involved in politics or to make laws against things that are morally and Biblically wrong, He would have. But we never ever see Him do that. You know what we see? A man who loves individuals, teaches them His ways, shows them compassion, reprimands them in love, and says, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar.” Jesus is our example. We don’t change peoples hearts by forcing moral laws on them. We change people’s hearts the way Jesus did: with love, mercy, compassion, and instruction.
To Clarify: I am not saying not to vote. I am not saying that I agree with laws that go against my Christian values. I am not saying the government doesn’t effect us. I am saying that governing morality is about as clear as mud. I am saying that Christians should act like Christians no matter what laws are in place. I am saying that the way to people’s hearts isn’t through law. The Church is the Church no matter what president or king or dictator we live under.
This election next month will be one for the history books no doubt. My advice is to vote and pray. But pray that God’s will be done. In God’s way. In God’s timing. And it will. After that, keep it in perspective. Trust in God. He’s got this.
So next time you start panicking because you can’t put your faith in Trump or Hillary or the rest of Washington, stop and be thankful that you don’t have to. Your faith belongs in God.
