CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP
Choosing Civil Magistrates
"Choose
wise and discerning and experienced men from your tribes, and I will appoint
them as your heads."
Deuteronomy 1:13
"Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain." Exodus 18:21
As American citizens we find ourselves once again being called on to exercise what is truly a great privilege and responsibility. We are going to elect those who will lead our local, state, and federal governments. But of course as Christians we have a higher responsibility. That is to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called." (Ephesians 4:1) We are to do all things for the glory of the One who called us to be His children. God is now our God and we are His people. That relationship with God is the prevailing relationship in our lives and so our ultimate accountability is always first to our God.
Ephesians 2:10 describes not only the fact that we are God's workmanship, His new creation in Christ, it also says that we were "created in Christ Jesus for good works". Anything we do for the glory of God is a good work. Where can we find the guidance necessary to be able to live for the glory of God - to be able to honor Him with all of our works? The Scripture is our only perfect rule for faith and practice. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 makes this so clear to us. "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
Good works not only include "spiritual things" like reading your Bible, praying, attending church, witnessing, etc. Good works also includes things like voting. The goal of every Christian in this coming election is to honor God. We are to vote in such a way that it is actually a good work with which our God will be pleased. It is the Word of God that gives us the guidance and principles we need to be able to vote to the glory of God.
In Exodus 18:21 we read of the advice given to Moses by his father-in-law on choosing men to rule and govern the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 1:13, Moses once again refers to this advice and confirms that it was truly of God. From these two verses, I would like to list several principles that are important for Christians to consider when they are choosing civil magistrates.
1. God has given citizens the responsibility to choose their public officials. Deuteronomy 1:13 begins with the word, "Choose". In Exodus 18:21 it says "you shall select". Moses is giving the people the responsibility to choose those whom Moses would then officially appoint as their governmental leaders.
Christians are supposed to vote. When Christians do not get involved in the choosing of their leaders the nation suffers. There are millions of people who identify themselves as evangelical Christians who are not even registered to vote. I believe the Bible indicates that it is our duty.
2. Citizens must choose their public officials on the will and law of God, not on their own preferences. In each of these verses we see specific standards laid out for determining who is qualified to serve as a civil magistrate. Those who meet these qualifications are to be chosen. It is not based on personal preferences. You do not vote based on who your local newspaper endorses, you do not vote based on who your union endorses, you do not vote based on who your political party tells you to, you do vote based on who is the best speaker. If our vote is to be a God-honoring good work then we vote based on the will and law of God.
3. There are Biblical qualifications for civil magistrates.
a. They must have the natural ability necessary for the job. Exodus 18:21 says to look for "able men". They need to be men who are intelligent and have the skills necessary for the office they are hoping to hold. This word especially focuses on being men of valor, or courage and of character.
b. They must be people of integrity. Their responsibilities are so important that they must be men of integrity and righteousness. Under this category we look for:
1) Proven character. Deuteronomy 1:13 says they must be "experienced men from your tribes". These are people who have proven themselves. Their character is evident in their family life, their business dealings, their community service, and their church involvement. They have proven they have the integrity necessary to do the job.
2) Honesty. In Exodus 18:21 we read that they should be "men of truth". They do not lie. They do not deceive. They actually speak the truth. Many candidates accuse their opponents of lying. We have to be people who are discerning and are able to see whether this charge is true.
3) Hate dishonest gain. This phrase is also in Exodus 18:21. The person is not one who enriches himself through violence, intimidation, fraud, or bribes. He will also not use his office to unjustly seize the property of those he governs. This could be done through legislation or unjust taxation.
c. They must be people who have spiritual maturity. In our culture the spiritual life of a candidate is supposed to be a non-issue. The prevailing opinion seems to be that its okay to be a Christian as long as your commitment to Jesus Christ does not influence the decisions you make. That may be a cultural requirement but it is not consistent with the revealed will and law of God. Their spiritual maturity is summed up in these three phrases.
1) A fear of God. This is the first requirement listed in Exodus 18. This means they honor God and reverence His Word. They stand in a covenant relationship with God. I think this means that a civil magistrate should be a Christian. Not just a religious person, not just a church member, but one who is truly born again and looks to Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. Being a committed Christian is not a detriment to public office but is an absolute necessity.
2) Wisdom grounded in the Word of God. Deuteronomy 1:13 says that they are to be wise men. This word denotes both natural ability and wisdom gained through experience. But it is important to remember that the Bible is clear that true wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 2 emphasizes the need to make a diligent search in the Word of God if we are to find wisdom. Notice what the results of that search are. "Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course." (Proverbs 2:9) That is precisely what a public official needs. This kind of wisdom clearly requires a level of spiritual maturity.
3) Ethical discernment. Deuteronomy tells us that they should not only be wise but discerning. This refers to the ability to make a proper judgment. They are able to discern the right course of action based on a wisdom that is grounded in the law of God.
That's it! Those are the qualifications that Christians are to look for in order to honor God with their vote. You will notice that specific issues have not been addressed. That's because if you have people who have these kinds of qualifications then we can trust them to make decisions that are right and just and equitable. On the other hand, if they do not have these qualifications they cannot be trusted to make good decisions on hard issues.
Of course the challenge is to find people who fit these categories. Here are a couple of things that you may hear from the mouths of politicians that give proof that they are unqualified to hold public office.
"Yes, I am a Christian, but I will not let that effect the decisions I make in this office."
"I am personally opposed to ___________, BUT ..."
This gives the impression that they are a person of strong moral convictions. But their so-called conviction makes no difference at all in public policy. As a matter of fact they end up supporting the very opposite of what their supposed conviction is.
When you hear these kinds of quotes you can imagine a big, flashing red light over their head that reads, "I am not qualified to serve as a public official."
1. We need to make an effort to find out what we can about the candidates we are to be voting for.
2. We should use these Biblical qualifications as our guide in making voting decisions.
3. We need to pray for and encourage more Christians to get involved in this arena.