God tells us to be good citizens and participate in the governance of our country, which includes voting.
1 Peter 2:13-17, 1 Timothy 2:1-4
God has not told us to hide from people and ignore the world around us. Nor does he tell us to act stupidly or blindly in following the law. Instead, God expects us to engage with our culture and influence our communities for God’s purpose and glory. How do we do this? These two passages explain how God wants us to act as citizens.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 2:1-2
12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. 1 Peter 2:12-17
What is God telling us in these passages?
To start with, we are to pray for our political leaders; all of them. Not just the ones we like. Not only that, but we should honor them. The way things are in our country makes this difficult. However, when Paul wrote these words the government of the Roman empire was worse than what we face today. In Acts 16:20-21 we see Paul and Silas being accused of promoting the worship of Jesus and not the emperor. The penalty for that was death. This is far more severe than the “cancel culture” we see today.
Jesus Himself told us to pay our taxes and follow the laws. We see this in Matthew 22:15-22 and Matthew 17:24-27. Jesus is paying taxes to the Romans and the Temple. Despite the corruption, Jesus is submitting to the governing authorities.
In our country the citizens are the ones who select the leaders. We should participate in our elections so that God is glorified. We do this so that we may be good examples to our fellow citizens. “(God) who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4.
Furthermore, in 1 Peter 2:16 Peter tells us not to use the freedom we have as citizens to engage in evil deeds. . We are called to discern wisely when following the laws and customs of our country, without being in conflict with honoring our leaders and following the law. God has the final say over what is right and wrong.
Should we vote?
Yes! We cannot be good citizens and hold our leaders in honor if we do not. We must lay ahold of the God given responsibility and be a part of our world. We do not conform to it, but we live in it, Romand 12:2, Phil 3:12-14.
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