This world's societies are organized into hundreds of forms of human government—man ruling man—all under the guise of satan the devil. Politics is a touchy subject that often produces strong emotional feelings in people. Politicians make many promises all to gain your vote. However, politics by nature requires compromise. Not one of them wants to say ‘yes’ or no’, but they all will say ‘maybe so’. It is difficult to know what any of them stands for. Who do you vote for?
Mankind has been given 6,000 years to do his own thing. Yet, this age of human self-rule is fast coming to a close. Should a Christian vote? Should we involve ourselves in elections as part of the world? In the process of trying to win votes, compromising beliefs, and trying to please the masses many leaders often allow laws to be passed that prevent or hinder true obedience to God. Morality is pushed aside amidst many claiming to be Christian.
What is a true Christian’s position in all of this? Notice 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” What is an ambassador? Ambassadors are not citizens of the nations in which they temporarily reside. Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary shows a diplomatic agent of the highest rank accredited to a foreign government or sovereign as the resident representative of his one government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.
If we are ambassadors and we are not citizens of this world, but simply stationed here to do a job, then where is our citizenship? Paul answers, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The Bible clearly shows that those converted to God’s way of life are citizens of the Kingdom of God—now located in heaven—soon to be established on this earth. Christians are no longer to be involved in man's systems of government. God considers involvement with politics and the governments of the world as spiritual immorality and we are admonished in Rev. 18:4, “Come out of her my people, lest you share in her sins, and you receive of her plagues”. The Bible clearly reveals that it is God who sets up rulers and removes them according to His will (Dan. 4:17). The governments holding power do so only if God allows. While they do, Christians are instructed to be subject to them (Rom. 13:1). If, however, there should be a conflict between the laws of God and the laws of man, then, of course, we are to obey God rather than man. Please see Acts 5:29.
We are admonished to pray for the Kingdom of God to be established on the earth (Matt. 6:9-10), because then and only then will this world's problems be solved. In the first Roman trial before Pilate we find an interesting exchange with Jesus: “Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’ Jesus answered, ‘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.’ Pilate therefore said to Him, ‘Are You a king then?’ Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’” (John 18:35-37). Could you imagine having a vote to see if Jesus Christ should be the leader. Voting always leads to the least common denominator. He will not be voted in—He will be the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Jesus Christ did not get involved with the military, politics, and governments of this world—setting us an example to follow!
Instead of being politically active, in this world, true Christians are to be spiritually active—each of us, individually, letting our light so shine [in a world of darkness] that by seeing our good works people will glorify our Father in heaven. We are commissioned to preach the good news of God’s soon-coming government to this earth. We are to be about our Father’s business, which involves speaking out against sin and the evils of this world. Are the worldly, unconverted people filled with more zeal and fervor and patriotism for the things of this world than real Christians for the things of God? Let’s hope not! As Ambassadors, let’s fulfill our purpose and pray for God’s kingdom to come, for only at that time will humanity’s evils be truly solved.
To learn more of God’s truths, as taught by His true apostle, Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, please visit:
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