An Election Day Message

Today is Election Day, and I will do my best to eloquently discuss the importance of voting and civic engagement as both a privilege and a responsibility, especially for those who say they follow Jesus.  

Let's be clear, Jesus never said a thing about voting.  

He said many things that were considered political, however. Every time he talked about the Kingdom of God, he made what amounted to a political statement because he compared the kingdoms of this world to God's kingdom. 

But the Apostle Paul had a great deal to say about what it meant to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God and a citizen of whatever earthly kingdom was in power. 

For Paul, it was important that Christians be the very best citizens they could be.  He exhorted early Christians to be good neighbors, to obey the laws of Rome (as long as they did not violate the higher laws of love), and to do everything they could to live peaceably with everyone. 

Paul responded to a genuine issue that early Christians faced in the first century.  

Because they did not partake in the "cult of the Emperor," which demanded the Emperor be worshipped like a god and also had what were considered secretive rites and rituals (Holy Communion), early Christians were often persecuted, not by the Roman Empire, but by their neighbors. 

Paul's exhortations amounted to a call to a higher level of citizenship, as long as participation did not cause them to violate their beliefs and principles.  

He wrote that IF respect and honor were due to the earthly powers that be, Christians should afford them that.  The key word there was "if."  

Paul was all too aware that the Emperor of Rome at the time was a despotic, narcissistic, and undoubtedly insane ruler named Nero. Nero not only encouraged but also demanded that he be worshipped like a god.  

History teaches that many Christians in the Roman Empire found ways to pray for the Emperor even if they were not willing to pray to the Emperor. They could participate in festivals with their neighbors without eating meat purchased from pagan temples. 

They acted with kindness and mercy to their neighbors, they cared for people during plagues at risk to their own lives, and they rescued baby girls who were left to die of exposure by their parents who didn't want them, among many other things.  

Sometimes, Christians even served in high-ranking positions within the Empire itself. 

I've said all that to say this: If early Christians had been given the right to vote (no one voted for leaders in the Roman Empire; they were all appointed), the Apostle Paul would have most certainly encouraged them to exercise that right and to do it as good citizens. 

I can only guess that Paul would have also encouraged them to use their vote to further the common good, vote for candidates of upright character, and do their best to vote their conscience, which ought to be grounded in the shalom or peace of God's kingdom.  

So, if you still need to vote, get out there today and make it happen.  The Apostle Paul would likely approve of it. 

I came across this quote from the late David Foster Wallace, who wrote about the importance of voting:  

“If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don't bother to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who please rest assured are not dumb, and who are keenly aware that it is in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical..."

We have seen this happen in our country for many years since Wallace wrote this.  He goes on to say: 

"In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard's vote.”

So, if you don't want to double the value of "some Diehard's vote," make sure you cast yours today.  

Happy Election Day!  

May it be decided by tonight or tomorrow at the latest and not be dragged on and on by those who always want to subvert the people's will.  

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.