Christians and Democracy
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
While in Church the other day I met a man who said, “pray that President Trump”
I wasn’t surprised it was an evangelical church and many evangelicals support Trump. Also Christians should be praying for their political and religious leaders.
That being said I think what is happening in the United States at this time can serve as a lesson to Christians on how to vote world wide.
Many evangelicals in North America believe Canada and the United States have governments that are Christian based. Truth is Canada and the United States unlike England, Israel and the Arab nations have no official state religion.
While there are scripture verses carved into buildings and the ten commandments are displayed in some court houses this is more of a cultural thing dating back to the birth of the two nations.
True many of our laws here in North America are based on Jewish and Christian principles but not all are.
Also having Bible verses on buildings and laws based on Biblical principles do not make nations Christian.
The fact is we in North America live in secular democracies. While many people serving in government may go to church they are not necessarily Christian. Churches in North America have a large number of people who are not Christian. They go for many reasons, tradition, to feel good, even to look good for the evangelical voters.
Still this is a good thing, that politicians or anyone for that matter attend church as that is where they can best come into a personal relationship with God.
Now all of that being said what is a Christian to do in a secular democracy?
Keep in mind that in a secular democracy such as exists in North America we will not find a politician that lines up perfectly with what we believe. They will vote for things we as Christians disagree with.
Still I believe Christians must look at the lives of each person running for political office. Jesus referring to false prophets said something that can be applied to politicians as well. He said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:15-18.
Simply put in terms of a politician or for that matter anyone. You will know what the person is like by their words and deeds.
When it comes to whom you should vote for there are several Christian principles that we must look for.
1/“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
We must look at the actions of the candidate and see what they truly stand for. Are they passing legislation that they would want imposed on themselves?
To use the American example again. Would those who are wishing to repeal the affordable care act in the United States and cut millions off health care want their health care removed, especially if they couldn’t afford paying for health care out of their own pocket?
A person seeking political office should never impose things on others that they would not want imposed on themselves.
2/ Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Ideally in an election this would mean supporting a candidate that is a Christian. One who love God and loves his or her neighbour unconditionally.
However in some places where there are no true Christian candidates running one needs to look to a person who by their actions shows unconditional love at the very least to their neighbour no matter who they are, their lifestyle, or what they believe. A candidate who shows genuine love for both rich and poor.
3/ The apostle John states,
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17.
We need to be supporting political candidates that seek to help the poor. For an elected official to help the poor costs them personally nothing. As elected officials they have the right to spend tax payers money and what better way to spend tax payers money than directly on tax payers and especially the most needy in our society?
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist states,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo
I personally believe it is time for everyone who considers themselves a Christian living in a democracy such as we live in here in North America, to ask the question,
“Which candidate seeking my vote is by his or her actions truly exhibiting true Christian principles whether they are Christians or not?
Please think about it.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
While in Church the other day I met a man who said, “pray that President Trump”
I wasn’t surprised it was an evangelical church and many evangelicals support Trump. Also Christians should be praying for their political and religious leaders.
That being said I think what is happening in the United States at this time can serve as a lesson to Christians on how to vote world wide.
Many evangelicals in North America believe Canada and the United States have governments that are Christian based. Truth is Canada and the United States unlike England, Israel and the Arab nations have no official state religion.
While there are scripture verses carved into buildings and the ten commandments are displayed in some court houses this is more of a cultural thing dating back to the birth of the two nations.
True many of our laws here in North America are based on Jewish and Christian principles but not all are.
Also having Bible verses on buildings and laws based on Biblical principles do not make nations Christian.
The fact is we in North America live in secular democracies. While many people serving in government may go to church they are not necessarily Christian. Churches in North America have a large number of people who are not Christian. They go for many reasons, tradition, to feel good, even to look good for the evangelical voters.
Still this is a good thing, that politicians or anyone for that matter attend church as that is where they can best come into a personal relationship with God.
Now all of that being said what is a Christian to do in a secular democracy?
Keep in mind that in a secular democracy such as exists in North America we will not find a politician that lines up perfectly with what we believe. They will vote for things we as Christians disagree with.
Still I believe Christians must look at the lives of each person running for political office. Jesus referring to false prophets said something that can be applied to politicians as well. He said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:15-18.
Simply put in terms of a politician or for that matter anyone. You will know what the person is like by their words and deeds.
When it comes to whom you should vote for there are several Christian principles that we must look for.
1/“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
We must look at the actions of the candidate and see what they truly stand for. Are they passing legislation that they would want imposed on themselves?
To use the American example again. Would those who are wishing to repeal the affordable care act in the United States and cut millions off health care want their health care removed, especially if they couldn’t afford paying for health care out of their own pocket?
A person seeking political office should never impose things on others that they would not want imposed on themselves.
2/ Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Ideally in an election this would mean supporting a candidate that is a Christian. One who love God and loves his or her neighbour unconditionally.
However in some places where there are no true Christian candidates running one needs to look to a person who by their actions shows unconditional love at the very least to their neighbour no matter who they are, their lifestyle, or what they believe. A candidate who shows genuine love for both rich and poor.
3/ The apostle John states,
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 1 John 3:17.
We need to be supporting political candidates that seek to help the poor. For an elected official to help the poor costs them personally nothing. As elected officials they have the right to spend tax payers money and what better way to spend tax payers money than directly on tax payers and especially the most needy in our society?
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist states,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo
I personally believe it is time for everyone who considers themselves a Christian living in a democracy such as we live in here in North America, to ask the question,
“Which candidate seeking my vote is by his or her actions truly exhibiting true Christian principles whether they are Christians or not?
Please think about it.
