Whom Would Jesus Vote For?

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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.

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Comments

  • KARS

    Hello Rose Marie,
    When we don't spend time in our Bibles daily we forget what our LORD told the children of Israel. Here is an example in the Book 1 Samuel.

    "And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them."...

    "So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, "This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you; He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. ..."And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day....So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king."...1 Samuel 8:7-22 NKJV 1982

    I have an everlasting King; by the name of Jesus Christ and I need no other. Therefore I will keep Jesus Christ as my King and as he said long ago to give Cesar what is Cesar's meant pay our taxes.
    Since the canidates do not follow the Ten Commandments, allow unrighteous behavior to become law, and break the Sabbath and Holy Days, there will be no vote from me.
    Besides in the New Testament it has been said, we live in the world but we are not of the world.

    "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away,and the lusts of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV 1997 God our Father has offered everyone freewill.

    I for one love the Father and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ and have every intention to follow them. We are to pray for the leaders of the world once God our Father allows them into power like men of old of the gentile nations; like King Cyrus the Great as an example. Therefore I will not cast my vote. That is my choice.

  • Rose Marie

    Thank you for this article and for your ministry. I must admit that I have learned much from your articles and booklets and am very thankful for them. However, if you are suggesting that we as Christ followers relinquish our right to vote and call it "Christianity" I must disagree with you. Our brother Tony Evans wrote a short booklet entitles "How the Christian Should Vote". A WORD TO THE WISE ---

    We will all be held accountable for the decisions we make so let us NOT vote for a candidate who promotes abortion and/or same sex marriages. We are all responsible and will be held accountable for doing our homework in order to make wise Biblical decisions.

    My prayer is that our hearts will be right before the Lord for it is Him alone who will judge the work He puts before us. In God's Kingdom there is no separation between the sacred and the secular. Cast your vote for the values of the Kingdom of God. Remember He is coming soon to set up His Kingdom on earth. Will you and I be ready to look our Creator, Jesus Christ, in the eye for casting a vote not for the right political party but for the one most likely to represent the Kingdom of God to come?

    As Tony Evans so eloquently says "God didn't come to take sides, but to take over".

    Also,please remember every nation and individual that blesses Israel will be blessed and every nation and individual that curses Israel wil be cursed. The question then is where do we stand individually and as a nation.

    The point being - it is more important to be obedient to the Word of God than who actually wins the race. God will accomplish His will and purpose regardless of who is seated in this earthly government. Are we wise enough to support His coming Kingdom now before He comes to take over?

    Remember that in your ministry as teachers you will be judged more harshly than the rest. I would caution you to perhaps reconsider your suggestions that we bow out of our responsibility to do the best we can with God's help. Thank you.

  • Awodu Frederick

    The God's Kingdom is more reliable, dependable, capable of eliminating my sorrow. Enough of all these sugar-quoted mouth politician. Our father in heaven, let thy kingdom com..........)

  • Floyd7

    When we pray don't we say, "Thy will be done" ? God's wisdom is beyond human understanding.
    He raised up Abraham Lincoln despite what the majority wanted at the time. In Moses's time, God
    raised up a king of Egypt who would resist His will as part of His plan for our salvation and as a
    lesson for us that his wisdom and love makes foolishness of our wisdom. When we pray for our
    country and our rulers, shouldn't remember this lesson and have faith in God's wisdom as to who
    is raised up as a leader? Even in his most desperate hour, Jesus asked that his Father's will be done.

  • johnnymac71

    Hi there Puddnluvr,

    The origin of the word vote comes from the 11th to 15th century Middle English used at that time.Today's meaning of the word has changed as many of our words have today. Here is the online definition of vote:

    vote (vt)
    n.
    1.
    a. A formal expression of preference for a candidate for office or for a proposed resolution of an issue.
    b. A means by which such a preference is made known, such as a raised hand or a marked ballot.
    2. The number of votes cast in an election or to resolve an issue: a heavy vote in favor of the bill.
    3. A group of voters alike in some way: the Black vote; the rural vote.
    4. The act or process of voting: took a vote on the issue.
    5. The result of an election or referendum.
    6. The right to participate as a voter; suffrage.
    v. vot·ed, vot·ing, votes
    v.intr.
    1. To express one's preference for a candidate or for a proposed resolution of an issue; cast a vote: voting against the measure.
    2. To express a choice or an opinion.
    v.tr.
    1. To express one's preference for by vote: voted the straight Republican ticket.
    2. To decide the disposition of by vote, as by electing or defeating: vote in a new mayor; voted out their representative; vote down the amendment.
    3. To bring into existence or make available by vote: vote new funds for a program.
    4. To be guided by in voting: vote one's conscience.
    5. To declare or pronounce by general consent: voted the play a success.
    6. Informal To state as a preference or opinion:I vote we eat out tonight.
    Idiom:
    vote with (one's) feet Informal
    To indicate a preference or an opinion by leaving or entering a particular locale: "If older cities are allowed to decay and contract,can citizens who vote with their feet ... hope to find better conditions anywhere else?"(Melinda Beck).
    [Middle English, vow, from Latin vtum,from neuter past participle of vovre, to vow.]

    As you can see the from the vernacular of today there is not a mention of the word oath, it instead it is a means in which a person makes a choice of preference that can be guided by one's conscience and moral convictions.It is used to remove a person from office whose views and actions differ from our own. It is a very effective tool used against possible tyranny or runaway immorality.

    God has given us a means to make our voices heard but taking no position such as saying present, means you don't care one way or the other.

  • johnnymac71

    To Mr. David Lewis,

    With regards to President Clinton,you state his opponents were just as bad but the facts just do not bear that out. PBS did a revealing four-hour documentary portraying the arc of his career as one littered with sexual dalliances and foibles. When running for congress this is what one of his staffers said: “You’ve got to understand, at one time, there [were] at least 25 women per day coming through there trying to find him,” sais Paul Fray, Clinton’s campaign manager during his unsuccessful congressional run in 1974. “I’d tell them, 'He’s on the road, get out the door.' But, Lord, it was bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad.”

    With regards to President Obama's integrity, at ethicsalarms.com, in an article titled "President Obama’s Integrity Collapse" it concludes by saying Unless all of this is just a momentary blip on Obama’s character (if characters even have blips), the President has transformed from a man who said he would rather be a successful one-term president if keeping true to his principles meant that he lost the election, to a man who is willing to divide the nation by race, class and party using whatever half-truths, deceitful devices and outright lies necessary to do so, in order to win a second term in an unsuccessful presidency. If he succeeds in that quest, he will have stayed in his high office by proving himself unworthy of it."

    The nation under President Bush accumulated $2,653.77 trillion dollars in debt over eight years, President Barak Obama has accumulated $5,527.65 trillion new debt in 3 1/2 years.

    You show Sodom and Gomorrah's other side, but you are diverting attention from the Lord's intentional placement of angels in the town square and the result of the entire town's men wanting to rape those angels who they thought were men, this abomination in God's eyes is what brought God's judgement upon the city that day.

    Embracing a philosophy of a political party that encourages immorality that is contrary to God's words is giving comfort and aid to a society embracing evil instead of good. Regarding the young zealots that you say will be our undoing,God disagrees with you Matthew 11:25-26,At that time Jesus said, "I praise you,Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure."

  • davidlewis

    Too many see politics as Satan’s Liberal Way versus God’s Conservative Way. One cannot condone President Clinton's wrongdoing, but his opponents were just as guilty. President Obama is wrong on abortion and same sex marriage, but has more integrity than many of his opponents.

    To accuse him of destroying the nation financially, however, is unfair. George W. Bush cut taxes in the midst of two wars, one of which was of questionable legality. In 2001 the nation’s budget was in surplus. In 2008 at latest 7 trillion had been added to the national debt. Without the stimulus that was paid back the economy would have collapsed. President Obama saved the auto industry. His healthcare reform will save the nation money in the long term.

    What do his Republican opponents offer? More of the failed supply-side economics of tax cuts for the rich and austerity for the poor. Yes, we need to take serious measures to stave off bankruptcy. The Simpson-Bowles Commission recommended both tax increases and spending cuts. The deficit can only be reduced gradually over time. Any attempt, such as Governor Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan, a disciple of Ayn Rand, propose of steep spending cuts with tax cuts will balloon the deficit and throw the economy into cardiac arrest.

    Too many Christians take a narrow view of national sin. It’s all about sexual immorality and abortion. What is often ignored is the other side of Sodom: “Look, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: She and her daughter had pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness; neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy” [Ezekiel 16:49]. Sexual immorality alone was not the sin of Sodom. Neglect of the poor was part of that sin as well. Baalism in Elijah’s time involved idolatry, human sacrifice and temple prostitution. It also involved sharp business practices, enslaving debtors, foreclosures, concentration of wealth in the hands of the One Percent and the worship of wealth and power.

    I cannot in conscience identify with a libertarian conservative political philosophy that professes 'Christianity', worships the market, obstructs efforts to help the unemployed, favors corporations over the public good and blames the poor for their poverty. Isaiah 3 warns that youthful zealots will be our undoing. I do not wish to give them aid and comfort.

  • puddnluvr

    Hi Johnnymac57,

    Thank you for your post. I appreciate your comments. Fwiw, I think we are talking about more than one subject here.

    Some may view the government we are blessed to have, and other countries are blessed to have as representing the freedom to choose.

    The freedom to choose is not the same thing as a vote. A vote is a vow. It's what the word means. It's a pledge of support. So, they are different words with different meanings.

    I agree with you - it is important to pray to ask God to give us wisdom in making choices, including choices regarding choosing leaders, just as it is important for us to pray for those in positions of leadership.

    Can Christians be involved in voting without being involved in politics? That's ultimately a question each individual must answer for his/herself before God.

  • Johnnymac57

    Thank you puddnluvr for your earlier comments, its always nice to get positive feedback.

    There was no democracy in Jesus's day, a Roman dictator ruled with an iron hand in all the lands where they ruled, so voting was not an option. In different instances Jesus called upon individuals to make a judgement call on what was right and what was wrong on an individual basis, towards government in paying taxes, and matters coming from Moses' seat were in accordance to God's word.

    The Israelites in the countries in which they live today have been blessed with democracies which the Lord intended them to live in. The freedom to choose those who would lead us, to follow such a person as Abraham Lincoln who at a key time in this nation had its people to set aside a day in which to fast and repent of the nation's sin.

    In the world in which we live in a few control the many, and as a result immorality is taught to children in kindergarten because the people do not vote against teaching what God calls an abomination.

    I do not believe that our Creator placed us in nations where our decisions can and do make a difference with regards to voting for those who would take us down a path towards evil or one where morality is upheld as humanly possible. There is no oath we take towards an individual, it is with thoughtful prayer and asking our Creator to help us to choose a leader that is principled that we pray can keep this nation as close to morality as possible until His return.

    Relinquishing responsibility to others in matters of extreme importance in judgement does not teach christians responsibility in matters of government it teaches them to let others make the decisions for them whether it be wrong or right.

    I agree christians should not be integrally involved in politics, but when a choice of leadership with regards to immorality or morality is involved, we either judge or we don't and our God says for His people to make moral judgement in all aspects of our lives.

  • puddnluvr

    Jesus didn't vote. Jesus chose to obey His Father. Two different decisions.

    We don't vote for the same reason we don't swear. A vote is a vow - like an oath - that pledges support to try to make things work. But, we don't control outcomes in that regard.

    This is why Christians who don't believe in voting cannot be integrally involved in the politics or system of this group.

  • puddnluvr

    Thank you too, Mr. Hoefker, for your article which inspired the comments that have been posted here.

    Hi johnnymac71. Thank you for your post. Much appreciated.

    One must certainly read this article with a relatively large grain of salt given the obvious inconsistency with UCG's position on the subject given its own government, which is based on voting and has required/requires people to support things, even when obviously contrary to God's Word at the expense of free speech.

  • thomasraukamp

    Jesus voted for the Kingdom of God. And his whole life was a testimony to this choice. May we all find the strength to pray 'Thy Kingdom come' over and over again as well.

  • maes

    Jesus is coming for the last revolution, a revolution that will ruin the hidden empire of anti_christ completely. you may think that anti_christ is a ugly giant with one eye in his face ...
    no it is what they want us to think. anti_christ is a satanic system that tries to control the world and minds. it's symbols are there on one dollar in that square and compass but certainly satan is weak!

  • Scott Hoefker

    Thanks Johnnymac71,

    You are correct when it comes to praying.

    1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV)
    "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

    Proverbs 3:5-6 is another good verse to mull over and meditate upon...we indeed look to God, the only being that can truly solve the challenges of this world we live in.

    I hope you found the article helpful.

  • johnnymac71

    I remember the Worldwide Church of God writing a similar article in 1996 the year President Clinton was up for reelection and basically the article concluded what you have in this one that we are not to involve ourselves in politics. Here was a failed leader of disreputable character running again for office and he won. He went on with his immoral character and was almost impeached because of his sinful nature.

    This election we have President Obama who has allowed homosexuals to openly serve in the military, he himself as an Illinois senator voted to abort a child after it had already been born. He is passing laws to encourage immorality and is also out to destroy this nation financially without regard to the harm it is going to cause our people and this nation.

    I am reminded of a saying that might be applicable to this mindset of not involving ourselves in our immediate demise: Edmund Burke once said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”

    Standing up against evil is necessary for us to become stronger Christians, remember Elijah challenged the people to decide between God and the evil of Ahab and Jezebeel, yet the people remained silent. The evil of Sodom and Gomorrah reached up to heaven yet Lot though righteous, remained indifferent almost to his own destruction. The Lord acted and exercised judgement upon this evil system and they were destroyed.

    Righteous judgement is hard to wield in this evil world we live in and while this nation is still democratic lets pray that those good men and women in other groups make wise decisions for the rest of us in this upcoming election.

  • Servant-of-Yahuwah

    Theocratic

  • truthseeker475

    Jesus would not vote for either of our political parties, because they are boih currupt.

  • dust_i_am

    Based on the "Good News" article "Freedom and Free Enterprise - Great Biblical Blessings" (July-August 2011), wouldn't Jesus support the pro-capitalism candidate and oppose the pro-socialist/communist one?

    And wouldn't that mean Jesus would be pro-Republican in the U.S.?

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