The decisions and decrees of civil officials have a tremendous impact upon our lives. These officials have the power to pass laws that can affect our freedoms, impose regulations and taxes that can affect our ability to support ourselves and our families and appoint judges that can affect our ability to receive justice. Their decisions can either shape civil government after the divine model that is revealed in Scripture (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:14), or they can turn government into an intrusive and abusive system that is both anti-God and anti-man. Considering how much power government has to affect our lives, either for good or for bad, we would be wise to do whatever we can to elect good and honorable public officials.
Some religious people refuse to vote or in any way involve themselves in civil matters. They have the notion that God is in direct divine control of government – so much so, that He miraculously manipulates the very outcome of elections and directly appoints or deposes specific rulers. This notion is based upon the misconception that God works today in the same way that He did under the theocracy of Old Testament judaism. Rulers and nations were indeed “raised up” and used by God under that system, but we aren’t under it today. We today are under the Gospel of Christ, not the Law of Moses. The kingdom of Christ is spiritual, not physical (Luke 17:21; John 18:36; Romans 14:17).
The Bible teaches that humans are complete free-agents with the power to make decisions that impact their own lives and futures, as well as those of other people. God does not override this free-agency. He allows human choices to be freely made, and He then holds them accountable for their choices. This is true with regard to both spiritual choices and physical choices (one “reaps what he sows,” both spiritually and physically – Galatians 6:7-8). In the spiritual realm, serving righteousness results in eternal life and serving sin results in eternal death (Romans 6:16 & 23). In the physical realm, the man who chooses not to work will have nothing to eat (Proverbs 13:4; 20:4; 2 Thess. 3:10).
The “physical” realm includes the civil realm. Citizens who elect godless and dishonest leaders will inherit a godless and dishonest government. If they elect big-government, socialist-minded leaders who view government as their “god,” they will inherit an intrusive and imposing socialistic government that robs men of their God-given liberties and ruins their lives.
The divine model of government is designed to promote and preserve the productivity, peace, safety and security of society. It provides an atmosphere in which people “may lead quiet and peaceful lives in all godliness and honesty” (1 Tim. 2:2). It punishes evil people and protects those who do good (Romans 13:3-4; 1 Peter 2:14). Understanding the difference between these two models of government makes the Bible student the best voter. His vote is cast, not on the basis of a candidate’s appearance or charisma, but upon the basis of bedrock biblical principles. He knows that “righteousness exalts a nation” and that “sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). He knows that “the throne is established in righteousness” (Prov. 16:12; 25:5). Since “righteousness” involves the honesty, integrity and fairness necessary for the right treatment of others, those who understand and are able to identify these qualities in others are in an excellent position to cast an effective vote. Obviously, some elections involve a choice between “the lessor of two evils.” In such cases, good and discerning judgment is even more valuable. Let us make wise and responsible choices in selecting our governing officials.