Editorial

How many of you will sin on Nov. 5^th by failing to vote? Have you ever considered the idea that it is a sin to fail to vote when you are qualified to do so? I believe it’s clear from Scripture that Christians should be the best citizens a nation has to offer. And in a nation such as ours, where the citizens direct the course of our government, the failure to participate in the most fundamental way we have to provide direction to our government cannot be seen to be anything less than a sin for qualified Christian citizens to fail to vote.

The witness of Scripture is that Christians are citizens simultaneously of two realms — the earthly nation of our birth (or naturalization) and the heavenly realm of the Kingdom of God. Although we owe ultimate allegiance to God’s Kingdom, there remain serious obligations of earthly citizenship for Christians who seek to live in accordance with biblical standards. There is perhaps no more poignant time to consider these obligations than now when Floridians go to the polls Nov. 5.

Although one can appeal to many passages of Scripture, the Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1-7 provides the Bible’s most succinct treatment of the meaning of Christian citizenship. Paul’s message to first century believers who lived in the seat of the Roman Empire — the all-encompassing political entity of its day — was that Christians should be the best citizens. Although two millennia old, Paul’s message is as valid today for American Christians as it was for Roman Christians who lived under a pagan, totalitarian dictatorship.

Paul exhorted believers in Rome to "submit to the governing authorities" because they were established by God and are agents — they’re even called "ministers" — of God’s purpose and order (vv. 1-2). The biblical model of government does not allow Christian support for anarchy (no rule). Paul doesn’t address the circumstances under which Christians have an obligation to disobey government (when government seeks to take the place of God and requires Christians to act contrary to biblical principles or prevents us from obeying God, see Acts 4:18-20, 5:29; Dan. 3:18 and Dan. 6). But the standard operating procedure for Christians is willing submission to government.

In verses 3-4, Paul provides two natural reasons Christians should submit to government: the promise of commendation (reward) and the promise of condemnation (punishment). When we do the right thing we will be commended and when we do wrong, we will be punished. There is also a supernatural reason Christians must submit: the Christian conscience (v. 5). A conscience regenerated by the work of the Holy Spirit knows that, worse that violating man’s laws, resisting governing authorities is a violation against God Himself — a sin.

Although it seems at times in our society today that evildoers are rewarded and righteous folks are persecuted, don’t forget that Paul’s exhortation of submission was written originally to Christians living under a totalitarian government. Therefore, American Christians who still enjoy the blessings of liberty have no less of an obligation to submit to our government.

Finally, Paul illustrates two ways Christians can demonstrate their submission and good citizenship (vv. 6-7): financial loyalty (paying our taxes) and attitudinal loyalty (paying honor to our nation and governing authorities — patriotism). And in a republican form of government such as ours, where the people rule, submission to government should include participation in our elections.

The fact that there are non-voting Christians is especially tragic — and sinful — in our nation when there is such low voter participation in our elections. On Nov. 5^th it is likely that less than 50 percent of all eligible voters will actually go to the polls to cast ballots. Such poor voter participation makes those who do take the time to vote all that more influential.

This Nov. 5^th, what kind of citizen will you be?