Kingdom Principles for the Election

Hi Everyone,

As you know, throughout May we are planning to have a series of times together midweek for worship, proclamation, and sometimes some teaching and equipping.

The first of these times will be on Wednesday 5^th May, at Rose Cottage from 7:30pm.

As I’m sure you know, this is the day before the General Election.  We will have a time of worship together, and afterwards we will be praying for the outcome of the election and for Godly government to be raised up in this nation.

Our focus will be strictly non-partisan – that is to say we will not be praying for any particular party to win the election.  Rather, we will be proclaiming and praying that God’s people in all parties are raised up, and that whatever the outcome God’s government is put in place over this nation.

As a way of focusing our thoughts prior to this time of prayer; I have outlined below some Kingdom principles God has put on my heart regarding how we as followers of Jesus can think about and engage with the political process.

1. We need to be involved

As followers of Jesus, we are salt and light.  There are no areas of life – including politics – that are off-limits to the followers of Jesus.  We are called to get involved, and at the most basic level, this means that we have a responsibility to take part in choosing the government for our nation

2. God works through all parts of the political spectrum

Sometimes, Christians can give the impression that God only works through one party or one set of political views.  Such a belief limits God.  No one party has a monopoly on truth. Truth is a person, and He is the one we follow, not a political ideology.

God has always raised up His people in all parts of the political spectrum – left, right and centre.  There is no reason to suppose He will not continue to do so.

3. God is interested in ALL the issues

Some Christians feel they should base their vote on issues such as abortion, homosexuality and support for marriage.  Other Christians feel that issues of social justice, poverty and exploitation are more important in determining how they will vote.

But Romans 14 tells us that the Kingdom of God is not based on particular moral issues, but on the broad principles of ‘righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.’

A Kingdom perspective on Godly government looks to those broader and more foundational principles, rather than getting caught up with a narrow range of issues.

4. God works through non-Christians too

In the Bible God frequently used those who did not worship Him to achieve His ends.  If He used a pagan ruler to rebuild Jerusalem; can we really say he cannot now use politicians who do not yet know Him to rebuild our nation?

I understand those who believe that the only way to stand for Christian values is to vote for a ‘Christian’ party or for Christian candidates, and if people feel that is the right thing to do I honour their choice.  However, we do need to be careful not to wall ourselves up in some sort of religious, political ghetto; separated from the world we are called to transform, as carriers of the presence and love of Jesus.

5. God has the big picture

Jesus has already won absolute victory, and He is working out that victory through us and even through those who don’t yet know Him, in ways that we cannot understand in the natural.

Whatever the outcome of the election – whether we are taken by surprise, pleased or even dismayed; we need to understand that God is not surprised.  His purposes are not thwarted, and he will work them out.

6. We walk by the Spirit

As followers of Jesus, and as ambassadors of His Kingdom, we do not base our lives on the wisdom of the world or the cleverness of man.  That means we choose to lay aside our preconceptions, prejudices and biases in order to be led by the Holy Spirit – always grounded of course in the common sense God has blessed us with.

In the light of this and the other Kingdom principles I’ve touched on; I would encourage you, and even exhort you to take an interest and to get involved in the election.  Take time to pray, to listen to God, and to be guided by the Holy Spirit about where to cast your vote on May 6^th.

Finally … whatever government we end up with; remember that we are to pray for our leaders – for wisdom. For guidance and for them to be blessed – even, or perhaps especially when we don’t agree with them.