Today is Election Day here in the United States of America. Every four years American citizens proudly cast their vote for a new president. It’s the day when Americans are encouraged to vote and believe that democracy is still working.
While I do believe that the original ideals of the founding fathers were some of the best the world has ever seen (though far from being anything closely resembling a “Christian” nation), I have been thoroughly convinced that this country was bought and paid for a long time ago by powerful people who now control the direction of the state.
If you don’t believe me, just take a look at the major campaign contributors for both presidential candidates. That’s not conspiracy stuff… it’s right in front of us if we’ll rise above the racket and political banter.
For those that have been following me here at the blog or at Facebook and Twitter, you know that I have what I believe to be a healthy suspicion of all worldly kingdoms. I believe that Jesus very intentionally rejected the avenues of political power to bring the Kingdom of God (John 18:36).
The Kingdom of God is not of this world, but it is for this world.
You may choose to vote today, but you need to remember that there is nothing distinctively Kingdom about it. The issues of politics are so complex and complicated, while being filled with lies, corruption, and greedy men, that you should never label your way of voting as “Christian” or your candidate as the “clear” choice for the country.
The kingdoms of the world have been hijacked by the prince of the power of the air. We’re promised that Jesus will soon crush Satan under his feet and establish a Kingdom that will never end (Rom 16:20; Dan 7:14). This is the Kingdom of which we’ve been called to build.
This should serve as a reminder to us that we have been called to be Christ in our own communities through the methods that Jesus himself laid down for us. Real change happens on the local level by the church being the hands and feet of Jesus through creative Gospel living.
When the church is being the church, she is not preoccupied with politics. She discovers that real lasting change happens another way. And it doesn’t look like legislating sin or using power-over people to enforce morality.
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)
If the government asks for your opinion every four years and you can give it in good conscience, then by all means vote. But do so under no illusions that you’re doing the pure work of Kingdom building.
If you get a tingly feeling or sense some level of euphoria after voting, you may need to rethink where you’ve placed your hope and trust. This also includes you proudly sporting your voting banners and pictures.
Think about what you’re doing. Does it look like Jesus in the world?
We have a King whose Kingdom is present in this world, though not fully known in the earth. You and I have been called to make it known and further it in the way of Jesus. Are we doing that calvary-style?
If you’re a Christian, remember your King today. Rejoice in the reality that he is ruling from heaven and will soon bring heaven and earth together.
Put your hope and trust in Jesus, and say with me, “That’s My King!”
Why do you think that evangelicals have become so entangled in politics today? How has political involvement distorted the Gospel of the Kingdom that Jesus proclaimed? What does “King of Kings” mean to you? What encourages you most about the message of Jesus in this video?
D.D. Flowers, 2012.
The Centrality and Supremacy of Jesus Christ 
November 6th, 2012 at 11:32 am
What if:
we all shared the gospel as freely as we share our political opinions
we had the same passion for the body of Christ as we do posting our political opinions
we see that Gods focus isn’t America, but the church
instead of dividing over politics we come together ‘in’ His Love
instead of working for a kingdom that can be (will be) shaken, we live in on that is eternal
instead of trusting man, the seen, and the here and now, we trust Jesus, the unseen, and the eternal
what if we better understood, “my Kingdom is not of this world, or age”
November 6th, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Jim – those are some great thoughts to ponder today.–well put. Amen.
November 6th, 2012 at 12:01 pm
Thank you David – a timely post for a day such as this… you ask some really good questions and I’m pondering them today… To answer them all would take up a lot of room in this discussion – never the less they are important for all of us to take to heart and think about in the spirit.
I am humbled beyond words that this King of Kings (who as Daniel said rules over ALL the kingdoms of the world) and is the ultimate King over everything – King of the “real” kingdom not a counterfeit one – has invited me and chosen me to become a citizen of this everlasting Kingdom – where Peace – Love – Mercy – Compassion – Kindness – Gentleness – Forgiveness – Humility – Glory – Hope – Righteousness….. reign forevermore!!
I don’t understand how I could ever be allowed to become a part of such a Kingdom but I am so thankful and await the day when heaven and earth will be joined together by the only true King – what a day that will be!!
It is so evident today that the whole world is hurting… there is much pain and sorrow everywhere and the problems are great. But Hope declares “I will make all things new!!”. It is with this Hope in my being that I live each day asking Him to shine his Life and Love into a hurting world one little baby step at a time… Let’s live in Love because He is love in all that we do and say!
November 6th, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Hey Gioia, I always appreciate your honest heart. It’s a beautiful thing. Thank you for sharing!
November 6th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
AMEN! That’s my King!
November 6th, 2012 at 4:30 pm
David, I have to admit that I get a little “tingly” when I vote, but I get a lot MORE “tingly” during worship on Sunday mornings and when I pray and think about God’s abounding grace. There is NOTHING more “tingly” than the thought that He saved a wretch like ME! BTW, would that happen to be a picture of the “sheeple” we discussed???
November 6th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Great Post David! ” That’s My King!”
November 7th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I have run across several such blogs during this week, and have appreciated all who manage to express exactly what I’m thinking! I can’t watch the video right now, as I am at work, and they block youtube. I’ll catch it when I get home. Thank you, David, for being a voice of truth in the midst of the insanity.
November 7th, 2012 at 10:55 pm
Thank you, Jeff. I’m glad that it was an encouragement to you. Blessings, bro.
November 8th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Nothing he did was political? Everything he did was seen as ‘political’ (in His day). Based on cross-cultural studies and N.T./historical studies by people like N.T. Wright’s “The Victory of God” Jews (including Jesus) saw no way to separate one’s belief in God from ‘politics.’
So what does that mean to us today? Rather than viewing the world through “Conservative versus Liberal” glasses, we as believers should be wrestling with “Taliban/Sharia versus Monasticism/Pietism/Withdrawal from society.” That is the better dichotomy we as a church are going to have to wrestle with.
I think your analysis of Jesus’ position, and therefore ours, is pretty spot on. Just fear a rejection of “Politics” versus a radical redefinition as I see Jesus handling the issue.
November 8th, 2012 at 2:12 pm
Mark, I certainly agree with Wright on the fact that religion and politics were one and the same in the first century. I have pointed this out myself in other posts. However, where I disagree with Wright is where he seems to want to go from there. I tend to lean toward an Anabaptist interpretation, which Wright has expressed he doesn’t agree with. I think what Jesus was laying down was a new way of living in the world.
Please read my post The Jewish Religious (Political) World of Jesus. I don’t think a capitulation to the worldly kingdom politics or a withdrawal from society is the answer.
I appreciate you thinking through this stuff along with the rest of us.