“To get involved, or not get involved?” is a question Christians have asked themselves since the first election of George Washington. It is often said that Christians and politics do not mix -- that whole “separation of church and state” business.
I argue that not only can Christians be involved in politics, but they should be. To some, it is a calling, like those candidates in the current presidential race who decided to act on a call from God. To the rest of us, however, God has given many privileges that we should exercise in our political duties.
One such privilege is our privilege to vote. Maybe you have heard this described as the right to vote. But even more than a right is a privilege, something that you should be glad to do. Voting is one such activity. It is important that Christians vote in a majority to choose a candidate who best represents the moral facets our country was founded upon. We, as Christians, have the power to affect an election, if only all Christians will stand together, choose to get involved in the political arena, and use their vote.
Another privilege we received upon our creation: our rationality. God gave us a capacity for knowledge that enables us to educate ourselves on political issues and respond to them in a Christ-like way. I believe as Christians that we are meant to educate ourselves on candidates, problems, and solutions in order to help the world be more Christ-like. We were created in His image with the ability to think rationally and make educated decisions, and this was not meant for only religious decisions, but many others, including political.
Finally, God gave us democracy. There are Christians struggling worldwide to practice their faith, and they would love to have a vote that could change the amount of persecution they face. There are countries in which women or members of the lower class cannot vote. There still remain dictatorships across the world, where the people have no voice at all. God calls us to continue to help our country succeed, but also calls us to help those who do not have the aforementioned privileges.
God taught us not to ignore the evil of this world, but to stand firm against it. Christians who refuse to involve themselves with the “sinful” institution of politics are not only turning against what the Bible teaches, but are not helping the institution at all.
God does not tell us to overthrow any leader that does not believe in Him, but rather we are to “be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1, NIV). Christians should remember that God remains in control, and the person chosen to be leader of this nation is in this position for a reason. God causes everything to work for His glory and purpose.
As the 2016 presidential election approaches, I urge you as Christians to take a stand. Become educated. Embody those virtues that Christ himself conveyed to us. Take advantage of the privileges that have been given to you by God, and by the men who believed in what God could do for this country.
America is not great because of the leader we elect, but because of Him who lives inside the hearts of American citizens.
