I was reading an article from Reader's Digest last month
about Alexander Scammell. He was an American Revolution soldier who was writing
a friend of his to explain why the war against the crown must be pursued. Here
is the body of the letter: “My friend, tyranny and oppression wield their iron
rod over our country; they begin to shake the very foundation of our
constitution. Whilst the voice of our forefathers' blood cries to us from the
ground, to define the rights, the liberty, and the territory which they so
dearly purchased by their crimson gore and treasure. . . .Every man of true
honor and virtue will rather contend for the honor of first spilling his blood
in so glorious a cause…yours Alexr. Scammell.”
A few years later, at the Battle of Yorktown, Scammell did indeed spill
his blood for the cause he held so dear. This dear country has had a myriad of
soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice, in the years since our initial
freedom, for the liberties which we sometimes (too often) take for granted.
This got me thinking
about a Christian's responsibility to vote, to support our countries' leaders,
and to be in active support of our government. Let me share some scriptures:
Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be subject to rulers, to
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed.” Romans 13:1 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For
there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by
God.”
This passage continues talking about those who obey the authorities have
no reason to fear, but those who are evil have a reason to fear because the
laws were made to protect people and property. He concludes that it is a
citizen's duty to pay taxes to whom due. Then in verse 8 a higher command is
reinforced, one that Jesus himself not only taught but also lived out. “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves
his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Can you
imagine what would happen in government, in cities, in the country if we as a
nation just obeyed that higher calling?
1 Peter 2: 13-17 “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution,
whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him for
the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is
the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish
men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but
use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God,
honor the king.”
Once again I marvel at how
current, this book that God wrote to us, and how relevant it is in today's
political situation. So I would urge you to do your duty and vote for the
candidate that you believe most closely reflects God's will for our nation.
I would be remiss if I
didn't also remind you of a quote from Abraham Lincoln “Stand with anyone who
stands right, Stand with him as long as he is right, and depart from him when
he goes wrong.” This quote reminds me of many other scriptures which demand
that a Christian oppose a government that stands in opposition to the
principles of God. See Acts 4:19; and Acts 5:29. When Peter was called in on
the carpet for disregarding the “Council” he replied, as we should “We must
obey God rather than men.”
—Alan
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