W.W.J.V? …. How would Jesus Vote?
At one level this is an irrelevant question because Jesus never lived in a land where the common people were ever given the right to vote. On another level we are commanded and must apply “whole Bible Theology” to any all situations in our everyday living.
An apprentice of Jesus must weigh not only each and every action against the measure of Jesus’ actions and words, but thoughts as well..
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order
to fulfill his good purpose.”
Philippians 2:10-13
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.
Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court.
And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
Matthew 5:21-21
God looks at our actions (works) and heart (devotion)
God’s will cannot ask us to do anything that is against God’s will. This is the simple test of our faith. If we are asked by a leader to believe or do something that is contrary to the will of God we must act in accordance to our true citizenship. Our works and devotion must be in accordance otherwise God’s will. This includes no only the “what” is done, but the “how” and “why” it is done.
Are we not commanded to obey the leaders above us? you may say….
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden,
for that would be of no benefit to you.”
Hebrews 13:17
Yes, but this verse does NOT speak about elected officials but Spritual leaders in the church. Well, what about slaves obeying their masters? Clearly that verse applies…
“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.”
Ephesians 6:5-9
These verses assume all are followers of Jesus and commands BOTH parties to act towards one another out of brotherly love. If the slave owner is not compliant in keeping the law, he is to be held accountable to the law.
Being obedient to the laws of men does not mean we must be compliant. As apprentices of Jesus we are called to be both obedient and compliant to The Kingdom Rule.
“rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”
Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus subjected himself to the laws of men so that his death might yield for the outcome of his sacrifice. He did NOT lower himself to DO man’s will at any time but yielded to their judgment so that the Father’s Will would be accomplished through him for us.
Children, we are called to obedience and disobedience
at the same time!
Consider the Hebrew women who were commanded by penalty of death disobeyed the King because they feared God more than man and were willing to suffer the pain of death to be found righteous in God. (See Exodus 1:15-22)
again, think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to bow down to the King (Daniel 3:8-25), John the Baptizer who confronted the King and was killed (Matthew 14), the apostles (Acts 14:8)….
Beloveds, do you see it now? We are called to live as peculiar people willing to die for our beliefs.
At this point, if you are still reading, you may call me a hypocrite saying I have not practiced what I have preached and you would be correct. I can be nothing else nor can you, however I MUST NOT STOP pointing the lost and misguided to The True Shepherd and call a clarion against wolves in sheep’s clothing….
but that must be yours to decide
We will all be held accountable for every word we have spoken and every little one we have led astray….
This election, do not vote one issue because it is a lesser evil. '
There are no lesser evils. There is only evil.
In America, neither party is the Christian Party. Both are asking us to endorse what God does not. Voting for one issue does not forgive other sinful issues. Not voting for a party neither gains you access to heaven or hell…. that is reserved for Jesus alone.
We are not being asked to fight for our rights, but to die for our faith. I believe that abortion is wrong, but not any more or less wrong that it is to pardon protestors who killed police officers, or release drug dealers, or those who stole from widows. Sin is sin.
“Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’
And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
We will not be judged by our voting record. We will not be judged my our raising a hand or writing our name on a card. We will not be judged by our words of profession or even our deeds we have done.
God will look look for fruit worthy of repentance….
*NOTE*
I am not endorsing a party or condemning another. I am trying to help the church learn to live out her “telos” or means or goal… our logical conclusion, why she and we are here on earth. To accomplish this, me must live out a “Christian Ethic”, a way of life held to the Rule of God. This is similar to but different from a “Christian World View”. What we think without deeds is legalism, what we do as as a response to our pardon is our Salvation. No argument is complete except for the one Jesus left us with….
“It is finished”