July 26, 2024
As many of you know, we are approaching the Georgia primary election on May 21. It is a time for Georgians to make their voices heard for those they support for the General Election coming up on Nov. 5, 2024.
In addition to the primary election, there will also be a vote taken for a seat on the Georgia Supreme Court. Please see this voter guide from the Georgia Faith and Freedom Coalition: https://www.georgiaffc.com/electiondaymay21
Once again, Christians will have an opportunity as citizens in the state of Georgia to weigh in by voting for the best candidates available. As we think about voting, it is important that we wear our “Biblical glasses” when we do so. By “Biblical glasses” I am talking about seeing candidates from a Biblical worldview.
Dr. Jim Garlow, author of the book Well Versed, once said this about himself, “I am NOT political; I am BIBLICAL!” I believe he meant that he does not approach politics by way of party affiliation and personal preference, but rather looks at what the Bible says about the way government should be run and the people who serve in it.
You see, we don’t live in a monarchy, but rather a republic. The first responsibility of a citizen in a monarchy is to “obey,” while the first responsibility of a citizen in a republic is to “participate!”
The first three words of the U.S. Constitution are “We the people…” If we then look at 2 Chronicles 7:14 we will see the first three words are “If my people…” Well, as both Americans and as God’s people, we can exponentially make a big difference in the kind of government we have!
Proverbs 29:2 reminds us that, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” If we don’t seek to change government in the right direction, we are going to have more mourning on the way.
There is no doubt that we are (at this point in time) losing our best government by default. Too many Christians have disengaged from the public square for the cause of Christ. We somehow think that to be “spiritual” means we are to disengage from involvement in government.
As stewards before God, we are not only required to engage in the election process, but we are to do so from a Biblical perspective. Most Christians may not understand that God is the one who came up with government. If you look at Romans 13 you will see God’s perspective of government and its responsibility before Him.
Since this is true, in a republic we as Christian citizens are supposed to participate as the “salt and light” that God has called us to be for the sake of the gospel and God’s glory! It is imperative, now more than ever, that we demonstrate the life-changing power of the gospel in the way we vote and serve in government.
Standing up for truth and righteousness from a Biblical perspective gives witness to the difference that Christ makes in a life sold out to Him. You see, it’s ultimately not about politics as much as it is about being Biblical in the way we live our life.
It is God who has given us the home, the church, and the government as stewardship institutions on this earth. Therefore, we are to participate in such a way that we reflect the Biblical morality that honors and glorifies God and the gospel!
So, make plans now to participate in the 2024 elections. Prove your love for God and others by caring about the kind of people you put in office.
If we are going to hand off to our children and grandchildren a better nation than was passed on to us, we had better roll up our sleeves and get to work before it is too late.
Now is the time to make sure we have our Biblical glasses on!
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Mike Griffin is the Public Affairs Representative of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.
