THINKING ABOUT GOVERNMENT, VOTING, AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION…LIKE A CHRISTIAN
In case you missed it, we’re in the thick of another election season. You’ve received your ballot and been bombarded with all kinds of ads, mailings, and information. You’re trying to make sense of various measures, policies, and political candidates. And there are certainly important matters at hand. A mayoral race in Santa Ana, seats on school boards, statewide propositions, legislative representatives, and yes, even a national presidential election.
You may be engrossed in it all. You may be tired of it. You may be anxious. You may want to just wash your hands of the whole thing. But here’s our encouragement as you consider how to engage in the political process: Take this opportunity to be a good neighbor by casting your vote to promote your neighbor's good. Lean into the process by lending your voice to call upon our government (at every level) to be what God intended it to be: a servant appointed by and accountable to him to promote the good (as he defines it), protect the innocent, restrain the wrongdoer, and bring justice to bear (Romans 13:1-4).
A FEW QUICK HANDLES
As God’s word guides you and your conscience permits you, we encourage you to engage at every level possible in this important process. Not prioritizing one aspect over another, but becoming informed, thoughtfully considering the arguments and issues, and understanding the impact of participating in the city, county, and state levels, as well as the national. Each part is important and we do well not to over or underestimate the impact that our participation can have on one level or another.
1) As you participate, participate like a Christian:
With the settled confidence that Christ reigns at the right hand of God, “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion” (Eph 1:20-22). All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him (Ps 2:7-12; Mt 28:18). And however shakeable, uncertain, or unclear the future of our nation might be, in Christ we’ve received a “Kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Heb 12:29). No matter the outcome of any election, Christ is Lord, he is able to turn the heart of kings like a stream of water (Prov 21:1), and he will never fail to preserve his people as we await the full realization of his reign (Jn 10:28; Rom 8:31-39; 1 Cor 15:20-28; Heb 13:20-21; 1 Pet 1:3-9; Jude 24-25).
With the assurance that Christ’s purposes in the world through his Church will never be thrown off or thwarted (Mt 16:18, 28:19-20).
With your ultimate hope fully fixed on Christ’s “lasting city” to come (Heb 11:10), BUT with a desire to see his blessings poured out on our city, here and now (Jer 29:5-7).
With “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be[ing] made for all people, 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 Tim 2:1-2). Praying for whoever wins the election. Asking that God would grant wisdom and strength to do what is right, serve the city, county, state, or nation and even use a crooked stick to draw straight lines - as he did with Cyrus (see Is 45:1-7).
2) With the goal of casting your vote for the people, measures, and policies that will:
Bless our neighbors - and our nation - by promoting what God says is good, beautiful, and true to the best of our ability (Phil 4:8). Knowing what God says about matters of abortion, justice, family, human sexuality, immigration, and so on, and then casting your vote in a way that lines up most with what pleases him. Trusting that this will bless our neighbors near and far.
Contribute to us leading peaceful and quiet lives (see 1 Tim 2:2) and best clear the way for the mission of the Church to move forward. To be clear, the mission of the Church is spiritual and does not rely upon human methods or political means to advance (see Eph 6:12), but our political participation can cultivate an environment beneficial to the gospel’s progress. Following from that gospel progress, we can and should expect this-worldly fruit to follow. “While evangelism and missions certainly seek the highest good of “the city,” political engagement seeks to preserve social order and human flourishing for the good of “the city”” (Tom Hicks, article linked below).
3) If you're struggling with how to engage, your pastors are here to help. We’re happy to talk with you about these things and help you think through them from a biblical perspective. Please pull us aside or reach out to us in the coming weeks if there’s any way we can serve you.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Should Christians Be Involved in Politics? by Tom Hicks
How Should Christians Think About the 2024 Presidential Election? by Albert Mohler. Especially helpful are the categories of “Person, Policy, and Party” when considering the effect of your vote
Three Truths for This Year’s Election by Andrew Walker
Why ‘No Matter Who Wins, Jesus is Lord’ Isn’t Just a Cliché by Alex Kocman
The Nature and Purpose of Government by Kevin DeYoung
The Purpose and Role of Government by Michael Oh
