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It’s our Christian duty to vote on Sept. 5



Editorial
By JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published August 24, 2006

How many of you will sin on Sept. 5th by failing to vote? That’s the day when Floridians will go to the polls and choose candidates in each political party’s primaries for various statewide and local offices, as well as for certain non-partisan positions. Some voters choose to take advantage of the option of voting early or by absentee ballot. But, the bottom line is—by whatever means it is done, I believe Christians who fail to vote are, in fact, sinning.

Have you ever considered the idea that it is a sin to fail to vote when you are qualified to do so? I believe it’s clear from Scripture that Christians should be the best citizens a nation has to offer. And in a nation such as ours, where the citizens direct the course of our government, the failure to participate in the most fundamental way we have to provide direction to our government cannot be seen to be anything less than a sin.

The witness of Scripture is that Christians are citizens simultaneously of two realms—the earthly nation of our birth (or naturalization) and the heavenly realm of the Kingdom of God. Although we owe ultimate allegiance to God’s Kingdom, there remain serious obligations of earthly citizenship for Christians who seek to live in accordance with biblical standards. There is perhaps no more poignant time to consider these obligations than now when Floridians go to the polls next month (and in November for the general election).

In Romans 13:1-7 we find the Bible’s most succinct treatment of the meaning of Christian citizenship. The Apostle Paul’s message to first century believers who lived in the seat of the Roman Empire—the all-encompassing political entity of its day—was that Christians should be the best citizens. Although two millennia old, Paul’s message is as valid today for American Christians as it was for Roman Christians who lived under a pagan, totalitarian dictatorship.

Paul exhorted believers in Rome to “submit to the governing authorities” because they were established by God and are agents—they’re even called “ministers”—of God’s purpose and order (vv. 1-2). The biblical model of government does not allow Christian support for anarchy (no rule). Paul doesn’t address the circumstances under which Christians have an obligation to disobey government (when government seeks to take the place of God and requires Christians to act contrary to biblical principles, or prevents us from obeying God, see Acts 4:18-20, 5:29; Dan. 3:18 and Dan. 6). But the standard operating procedure for Christians is willing submission to government.

In verses 3-4, Paul provides two natural reasons Christians should submit to government: the promise of commendation (reward) and the promise of condemnation (punishment). When we do the right thing we will be commended and when we do wrong, we will be punished. There is also a supernatural reason Christians must submit: the Christian conscience (v. 5). A conscience regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit knows that, worse than violating man’s laws, resisting governing authorities is a violation against God Himself—a sin.

Although it seems at times in our society today that evildoers are rewarded and righteous folks are persecuted, don’t forget that Paul’s exhortation of submission was written originally to Christians living under a totalitarian government. Therefore, American Christians who still enjoy the blessings of liberty have no less of an obligation to submit to our government.

Finally, Paul illustrates two ways Christians can demonstrate their submission and good citizenship (vv. 6-7): financial loyalty (paying our taxes) and attitudinal loyalty (paying honor to our nation and governing authorities—patriotism). And in a republican form of government such as ours, where the people rule, submission to government should include participation in our elections.

The fact that there are non-voting Christians is especially tragic—and sinful—in our nation when there is such low voter participation in our elections. On Sept. 5th (or before) a relatively small percentage of eligible voters will actually go to the polls to cast ballots. Such poor voter participation makes those who do take the time to vote all that more influential.

In order to assist Florida Baptists in the two highest profile races of the primary season, the Witness is publishing this week as a special report, interviews with the major candidates for governor and U.S. Senate—at least those who consented to an interview. We took this step so that Florida Baptists would have the opportunity to read the candidates’ responses to a number of questions they would not be asked by any other news media outlet. Rather than filtering the candidates’ answers through a news story, we have published their own words, cutting only extraneous and repetitious responses in order to fit the space we have.

I hope that Florida Baptists will take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore the candidates’ views expressed in these interviews and by other means of information—and then cast their votes in a manner that is consistent with biblical convictions.

This primary election, what kind of citizen will you be?

Copyright © 2006, Florida Baptist Witness

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/6304.article