Across the United States, the election campaign is in full swing. Tuesday, November 6, 2012, will be the 57th quadrennial election for the presidency of the United States. Once again the whole world watches because America is still the most powerful nation on earth.

Claims and counterclaims are tossed about. Advocates from one side say their opponent is merely a continuation of another man's failed policies. The other side says that the opposing candidate is too liberal and too inexperienced to serve. Nasty "mudslinging" accusations are now the norm. And what used to be just an older folks' political discussion has become heated debate even among younger people.

But what is God's perspective on presidential election? If Jesus Christ were walking the earth today, would He vote for one candidate or another?

Jesus and human government

There is a widespread misconception that Jesus Christ's message was mainly about Himself. Very few who profess to be Christians realize that Jesus' gospel had much to say about world government.

A great many people think of Jesus as just the "baby in a manger" rather than the true biblical Jesus Christ who is now at the right hand of God in heaven (Acts 7:55–56). Few consider that Jesus Christ promised to return as the very real King of Kings over the whole earth—including the United States.

A foundational problem of the human race is that people, from the time of Adam and Eve, have desired and attempted to rule themselves apart from God's involvement and leadership.

Jesus' main message—the gospel or "good news" He preached—focused on world government and the willingness of each human being to surrender to God and eventually become part of His family. That government will soon be in place over the earth!

Jesus and His government

The Roman governor Pontius Pilate challenged Jesus about whether He considered Himself a king. Christ's answer was: "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here" (John 18:36). Jesus had no intention of being involved in this world's politics. He represented a different world and different government—the Kingdom of God.

There is no indication of Jesus politicking or voting during His human lifetime. Instead, He taught constantly—especially in His parables—about His own future government, the Kingdom of God.

Jesus set us a non-political example during His ministry precisely by not campaigning for human leaders of His time, nor involving Himself in any political movements. Likewise, He did not teach His followers to try to change the world through the politics of human governments!

How should Christians interact with human governments?

Although Jesus Christ did not actively participate in the governments of this world, He set an example of obedience to civil law, showing respect toward those in office. When the Pharisees (a political-religious party of the time) asked Jesus about paying taxes, He answered, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Matthew 22:21).

Jesus inspired one of His ardent followers (Paul the apostle) to write: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves" (Romans 13:1-2). God expects human governments to provide a measure of law and order. "For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor" (verses 6–7).

Through Paul, Jesus also instructs true believers: "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" (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

True Christians are like foreign ambassadors. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). That is emphasized even more by the clear statement that "we are ambassadors for Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:20). We should conduct ourselves with love and respect for all, including those in political offices. But we always remember that our ultimate citizenship is not in any government of men, and when there is a conflict "we obey God rather than man" (Acts 5:29).

Although we should serve and do good, we shouldn't entangle ourselves in the politics of this world. The current political system of all the various nations is not God's system!

So what would Jesus do during an election year?

Instead of getting caught up in political debates, Jesus would be busy seeing to the proclamation of the good news of the soon-coming Kingdom of God. He would be watchful of the ongoing politics in America—or any nation—but would avoid participation in any governments of man. Jesus would know that although human governments serve the purpose of maintaining order and many participants are well-meaning, human attempts to govern this world are destined to ultimately fail—and have been since the devil led Adam and Eve to disobey God.

The mission of true Christians is to help prepare the way for the Kingdom of God, the literal government of Jesus Christ. It will replace the human governments of this earth. Revelation 11:15 foretells the announcement of that divine takeover: "Then the seventh angel sounded; and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever'" (New American Standard Bible, emphasis added).

The political system we see now is going to change—ultimately for the better, and that's great news. Our focus needs to be vertical, keeping our eyes on Jesus Christ and not so much on the political systems of this world.