Voting: A Messy Spiritual Duty

In today's world, we tend to separate spiritual things from supposed non-spiritual things, also known as the "sacred-secular divide". It's so easy for Christians to seclude ourselves while living in a society that prides itself of holding a separation of state and religion. We think that since our main calling in life is to preach the Gospel, what happens in the political, secular world doesn't concern us. Let's talk about Jesus. Jesus' whole mission was to preach and make the Gospel happen. Without his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection, we'd have no good news, no Gospel. He never let anything or anyone steer him away from his mission. And yet, Jesus took on flesh in a particular place and time in history, within a particular culture, religion, and political environment. Jesus was a Jew. He practiced the Old Testament Law better than any Jewish leader. He also made wise decisions while on his mission within the political environment he found himself in. The Romans ruled over the Jews at that time. He was clear when speaking to one of the Roman leaders that his kingdom is not of this world. His Kingdom in fact was greater. God in His infinite wisdom chose the Roman government and Jewish corrupt rulers of his time to bring about His plan of salvation.

Sometimes we get lost in this Jewish-Roman world, as though being a Christian today means being just like the early Jesus followers in that they did not participate in a democratic government's decision making. But Jesus wasn't just our Jewish Christian founder. He abided and fulfilled his responsibilities within his culture's parameters. He was what He needed to be because of where He lived.

Christians living in America today should take after Jesus' example. We are not just Christians. We are also Americans. If we are not Jews, it makes sense that we don't practice Jewish traditions like Jesus did. Since we are gentile Christians, we live repentant lives in obedience to our Father. But are we neglecting something else that God has made us? Some Christians were born in America. Others immigrated here and became citizens. Either way, we are Christians and we are Americans. We are so blessed to live in a country that has historically generally been known as a Christian country, being influenced and corrected by Christian teachings. We do not suffer religious persecution to the extent that other Christians around the world do. For this, we must be thankful and do our part to keep it this way in America and influentially globally as well.

Voting is an American custom, right, and duty. As the title suggests, voting can be a messy duty. Many find voting at times to go against their principles, values, and conscience because of the candidate options. Unfortunately, that is the broken world we live in. Often, the people with the most Christ-like character seem less qualified than the most rich, loudest, powerful, popular, and lacking in the moral department. But here we are nonetheless. God can still use today's disappointing leaders, just like he did during Jesus' time. Participating in your country's election is at your hand. It is something God has made available to you because of where He desired for you to be born or live. Out of gratitude for this opportunity God has given you, vote. This is where voting becomes a spiritual, and granted, messy duty. When we Christian Americans do this act in gratitude towards God, it has become a spiritual act from us to Him. If we see it as following in Jesus' example, it will honor him. It can be a virtuous act with the right heart, knowing ultimately our trust is in Him. Do your best to choose the candidate who will more so promote and defend your Christian values, even if not with their visible character, but in policy making.

We are not culpable for the moral failings of those we are voting for. Rather, we are responsible for what we do with what is at our own reach. If leading is an option for us, then we lead. If voting for someone to lead is our option, then we vote. We are commanded to do good, so let's.

I hope you will be encouraged to vote. God bless.