Question:
As we live in this world we want this place to live up to God’s standards and we all should want to help make this place in God’s image. So my question is why do the brethren believe that they should not have to vote? We should want a president that has the most qualities that we think best suit what God would want for this world.
Answer:
The question has to do with voting, but before we address that issue we need to discuss the inquirer’s premise, which is, “We want this place to live up to God’s standards and we all should want to help make this place in God’s image.” I don’t believe this premise is based on Scripture.
(1) Under Satan’s power and influence—see Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19, JND version;
(2) In a state of enmity against God—see Romans 8:7; Colossians 1:21;
(3) In bondage to sin—see John 8:34; Romans 3:9; Ephesians 2:3; and
(4) Under God’s judgment (though He has not executed it yet)—John 12:31; John 3:18, 36.
To expect the world of unbelievers to “live up to God’s standards” is wishful thinking, for they have neither the desire to do so (Romans 8:7), nor the power (see again the verses under #3 above).
Only the one who has been born-again loves God’s will and wishes to please Him (Romans 7:22; John 14:21,23; 1 John 2:29; 3:9,22; 5:18). And only the true child of God has the power to do His will (see Romans 8:2-4, 9-14; Galatians 5:16-23). Thus, God is not expecting the world to live up to His standards. Instead, He is saving people out of this world and making them His testimony to His saving grace so that others will “flee from the wrath to come” by taking shelter under the blood of Christ.
Now for a word or two about voting: If we really see the true condition of the world (please look up the Scriptures cited above concerning the world’s state as God sees it), we will forget the notion that we can change it so that it is a place which honors God by living up to His standards.
Even if we had a godly Christian president, and he was able to get the laws passed through legislature which would be in keeping with God’s will, this WOULD NOT change the heart of man which is enmity against God. Our purpose here is not to try to change the world, but rather to preach the gospel of God’s grace so that needy sinners will respond to God’s love by trusting the Saviour for the salvation of their souls. Then they will be born-again and will be able to, as stated above, please God by keeping His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit.
But Scripture is plain that the world at large will not respond to God’s grace (Matthew 7:13, 14) and that eventually God’s judgment will fall upon it (Acts 17:31; Jude 14, 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-9). Knowing these things should cause us to seek to win as many as possible to the Saviour and to avoid the politics of the world. See also 2 Corinthians 5:20; Philippians 3:20; 2 Timothy 2:3, 4 for reasons not to concern ourselves with politics.
May we be content to follow the example of our blessed Lord Who never tried to change the world by becoming politically active, but ministered the Word of God to men with the view to their being born-again through the Word.While on trial before Pilate, “Jesus answered [him], ‘My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence’” (John 18:36).