Why Christians are called to give to Caesar what is Caesar's
Do we really have a grasp of the enormity of what it means to live in a democracy with the right—and responsibility—to vote? "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." -Luke 12:47-49
A popular truism bandied about by well-meaning Christians these days is the argument that regardless of who wins an election—be it local, state, or federal—it really doesn't matter because as Christians we are called to pray for those in authority over us. Of course we are called to pray for our leaders, whether we like them or not. Who could argue with that?
It is equally true, however, that it matters VERY much who is elected to lead a nation. Ask the people of Zimbabwe if it matters who their ruler is. Or the citizens of Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Iraq, India, France, England, etc. Ask those German and Italian WWII survivors who are still alive today if it mattered who they voted into office before the war. Did Jesus think it mattered that the Pharisees controlled Jewish law and thought?
My point is, in a democracy, it cannot be stressed enough that voting is a blessing, privilege and a tremendous responsibility. We take it lightly at our own peril.
Casting a vote for the person, or persons, God prompts us to vote (would that the Body of Christ be of one mind and accord in that!), and being rewarded with having that God-chosen person be our leader, is a far sight easier to deal with than the monumental task of praying for a leader God had preferred we not elect. The choice always, for free-agents such as we are, is ours.
The fact of the matter is, too much is at stake for the future of this great, Christian nation to minimize the value of a single vote. We can ill afford a repeat of the 1970's when the Church—being asleep at the wheel—woke up to find abortion legalized; nor can we afford to lose the war on terror. We're up against some pretty big Goliaths these days. But remember this; God's plan for America is for good, not evil.
He expects cooperation from us. So, as November 4th draws near, I encourage every Christian to pray and to VOTE their conscience. It is certainly our duty as American citizens, but more than that, it is our privilege and responsibility as Christians. Yes, we will pray for whomever is elected president, but let us not be found guilty of apathy or of letting the godless select our leaders.
