What Would Jesus Vote? 1

Romans 13:5-7

Most are familiar with the movement to raise Christian spiritual awareness with bracelets and key chains and such with the letters “WWJD” written on them. The letters stand for “What would Jesus do?“ and they were intended to provoke a thoughtfulness about behavior. In a similar vein with the national presidential election coming very soon and most of the nation focusing on what will happen in the future, we need to look at “How would Jesus vote?” What would Jesus’ attitude toward the candidates and issues be?

To begin, we can ask the question, “would Jesus vote?” Would he take part in the political process or would he stand back, removed from the issues because he is God and loves all people?

I believe Jesus was a very social being and would be very involved in the political and social processes around him. Passages such as Titus 3:1-2 – talking about being subject to rulers; Matthew 17:24-27 – paying the temple tax; Mark 12:14-17 – paying government taxes; and the Old Testament instruction in Jeremiah 29:4-7 to support and be part of your society, lead me to believe that Jesus would vote.

Paul’s letter to the church in Rome was written to struggling believers, faithful people who were suffering persecution, trial, torture and death. This was an oppressed church and one in which you might expect a leader to preach revolution and an overthrow of the government. Why does Paul urge submission to authorities? What does he call the faithful to do?

There are many who believe that religious groups need to stay out of politics. If churches are to be tax exempt they should not influence voting. Church and state should be separate; religion and politics should not mingle.

While I agree that no religious leader should use the pulpit as a soapbox to endorse this candidate or that candidate, to influence voter opinion one way or another, to remove one’s self from politics because we believe in God is wrong. In fact, just the opposite is true. Because we believe in God and the ultimate good of our loving Savior, we must be involved in what is happening in our culture, working to influence positive change and help to those in need.

Paul’s words to the believers in Rome can apply to us as well. We may look at our governmental system and the election as a hopeless cause. We may feel that the existing government has nothing to do with our lives. We may want to remove ourselves from the whole process on the grounds that God is the ultimate king over all things.

But we are called to be part of our society – paying taxes and obeying authorities. Then, as we function within the lines of our society, we should apply the teachings and guidance of Jesus Christ to give direction and hope in our decisions.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Which Biblical truths guide your political views?