Informed Faith
My Goal is to Help You Understand the Bible and Strengthen your faith with a deep, accurate understanding of Scripture. This podcast offers clear and practical insights using the OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) Bible study method. Whether you’re new to Bible study or looking to deepen your knowledge, Informed Faith equips you with the tools to build a solid foundation for your faith.
Informed Faith
Christian Voting Guide: How Should A Christian Approach Voting for President?
In this episode, Patrick discusses how Christians should approach voting for a president. He emphasizes that this is not about endorsing a specific candidate or political party, but rather about examining how our faith and understanding of scripture should guide our decisions in the voting booth. Patrick explores Romans 13:1-7, which addresses a Christian's relationship with government and authority. He highlights key principles such as the submission to governing authorities, the seriousness of resisting authority, the role of government in promoting justice, and the importance of a biblically informed conscience. Patrick concludes by encouraging listeners to consider candidates and policies through the lens of scripture, pray for wisdom, and trust in God's sovereignty over the outcome.
Social Links:
Welcome to Informed Faith, the podcast, where we don't just skim the surface but dive deep into Scripture to build a solid, well-informed foundation for our faith. I'm Patrick, and before we dive into today's topic, I want to remind you to like, subscribe and leave a comment if you find these teachings helpful. I also want to thank Mary Jane Albee for the great support she's been over the many months for this ministry. Thanks, Mary Jane, very much. Now. Your engagement helps us reach more people with the truth of God's Word and ensures that you don't miss any future episodes. And in our last episode we discussed how you could go from anxiety to peace, and we're going to be shifting gears slightly to address a topic that's particularly relevant in the world today. And I'd like to be shifting gears slightly to address a topic that's particularly relevant in the world today, and I'd like to thank Erica, one of our subscribers, for suggesting this topic today how should a Christian approach voting for a president? This isn't about endorsing a specific candidate or political party, but rather about examining how our faith and understanding of Scripture should guide our decisions in the voting booth. So grab your Bible and turn with me to Romans, chapter 13. We're going to be in the first seven verses, and this passage is foundational for understanding a Christian's relationship with government and authority. And we'll unpack these verses one by one to see how they inform our approach to voting and how we can faithfully navigate our civic responsibilities as followers of Christ. Now, before we delve into the text, let's set the context first.
Speaker 1:The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans around AD 57, during his third missionary journey, likely in Corinth, and the church in Rome was a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers. They were living under the rule of Emperor Nero, a time when Christians faced a lot of persecution, and Paul's letter to the Romans is his most systematic, definitely and comprehensive. It's an exposition of the gospel, and in chapter 13, he addresses how Christians should relate to governing authorities. Imagine being a Christian in Rome under Nero's rule, a ruler that was known for his tyranny and persecution of Christians, and yet Paul writes to these believers, urging them to be subject to the governing authorities. Now, this instruction must have been challenging for them, just as it can be for us today, when we encounter governments or leaders with whom we may disagree. However, Paul's guidance goes beyond mere political engagement. It's rooted in a deeper understanding of God's sovereignty and our role as citizens of both heaven and earth. Sovereignty and our role as citizens of both heaven and earth.
Speaker 1:Romans 13, chapter 13, verses 1 through 7,. We'll look at it together and let's start with verse 1, and I'll read it. I'm using the NASB version. It says this 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 verse establishes a key principle All authority ultimately comes from God.
Speaker 1:The Greek word for subjection here is hypotasso. It means to arrange under or to subordinate. It's a military term that implies a conscious, voluntary submission to an established order, and this concept is echoed throughout Scripture, For instance in 1 Peter 2, verses 13 and 14,. Peter also urges believers to submit to every human institution, recognizing the role of authority and maintaining order. I'm going to read it for you. It says this 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, the king, for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. So Paul and Peter affirm the submission to governing authorities as an act of obedience to God, acknowledging his sovereignty over all human institutions.
Speaker 1:And now let's look at verse 2, back in Romans, and I'll read it from the NASB. It says Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God, and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Now here Paul emphasizes the seriousness of resisting governmental authority. To resist is to oppose what God has ordained, and this doesn't mean that every action of the government is right or just, but rather that God has established the principle of authority. So our resistance should be considered very carefully and prayerfully, always weighing whether the law conflicts with God's commands. Now this verse also challenges us to examine our hearts and actions. Are we resisting authority out of a desire to uphold God's righteousness or out of rebellion and pride? Remember, our ultimate allegiance is to God and our submission to authority should reflect our trust in His sovereignty.
Speaker 1:Now, moving on to verse 3, let me read it here. It says for rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same. Here Paul is laying out the ideal role of government to reward good behavior and punish evil. The word for evil in Greek is kakos, which means something morally wrong or wicked. Paul acknowledges that government has a God-given role to maintain order and promote justice. Now, this is consistent with what we see in other parts of Scripture as well, For example, Proverbs 21.15,. It says this the exercise of justice is joy for the righteous but is terror to the workers of iniquity. God's design for authority is to promote righteousness and justice, reflecting his own character.
Speaker 1:Now verse 4. Verse 4 says this For it is a minister of God to you for good, but if you do what is evil, be afraid, For it does not bear the sword for nothing, For it is a minister of God, an avengerakonos, meaning a servant, or one who executes the commands of another. Here Paul is emphasizing that the government acts as God's servant to maintain justice. The sword symbolizes the authority to enforce laws and administer justice, even through punishment, and this verse underscores the gravity of government's role in executing justice. It's a God-given responsibility and those in power are accountable to God for how they wield their authority. For us as Christians, this means that we should pray for our leaders, that they would govern justly and wisely, that we should advocate for policies that reflect God's justice and righteousness.
Speaker 1:Next, let's look at verse 5. Therefore oh, I'm sorry, no, that's right. Therefore, it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. The Greek word for conscience' sake is synodesis, referring to moral consciousness or an awareness of right and wrong. Paul is saying that our obedience to authority should not just be out of fear of punishment, but because our conscience, informed by God's word, compels us to do what is right, and this highlights the importance of a biblically informed conscience. Our decisions, including how we vote, should be guided by a conscience that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit and grounded in Scripture. That's why it's so crucial for us to know God's Word and apply it to every aspect of our lives, including our civic duties.
Speaker 1:Now, finally, let's read verses six and seven together. It says For because of this, you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them. Tax to whom taxes due. Custom to whom custom. Render to all what is due them. Tax to whom taxes due. Custom to whom custom. Fear to whom fear. Honor to whom honor. Now, the word render in Greek is apodinomi, which means to give back or repay. It signifies that our obligations are part of our duty to God. This teaching is a reminder that our Christian faith should permeate every aspect of our lives, including our civic duties. When we vote, we're not merely exercising a political right. We're fulfilling a God-given responsibility to promote justice, peace and righteousness. It's about aligning our choices with God's will, seeking leaders who reflect His values and trusting in His sovereignty over the outcome. So, as you prepare to vote in the upcoming election, let Romans, chapter 13, verses 1 through 7, guide you. Consider the candidates and their policies through the lens of Scripture, Pray for wisdom and trust God with the results. Remember our hope is not in any human leader, but in Christ, the King of Kings.
Speaker 1:I want to thank you for joining me today on Informed Faith. If you found this episode helpful, please like, subscribe and leave a comment, and we don't ask people to subscribe to our channel in order to get bonus content. All of our content, hopefully, is good quality and we'll be getting better. If you'd like to give, you can always give. You can go to buymeacoffeecom forward slash informfaith. I believe I'll put the link in the notes, and your support really helps me continue to provide high-quality, in-depth content that's accessible to everyone Together, let's keep growing in our understanding and application of God's Word. I'm Patrick, and until next time, keep your faith informed.
