Respaulsibility

I had just stepped into the lobby when Michael Jensen approached me. "So do you think it's wrong to vote?" I was silent and then mentioned that I was not sure. That was about a year ago, and it wasn't until now that I came to a definite conclusion. 

Many people, if asked that very question, would not understand why there had to be any problem. However, there are multiple reasons why as a Christian and specifically an Adventist, I should be cautious in regards to this subject. 

Rome was oppressing the Jewish nation, and the Jews were tired of it. They were hoping, praying, and looking for someone who would deliver them. That is why the nation stirred with excitement, when a young man promised to deliver them. Jesus mission was not to deliver the Jews from the Romans, however, but from sin. The people did not understand that, and Jesus shocked the nation with His teaching. Jesus' teachings destroyed the foundation of thought that the people had built their traditions on. He made statements that were clear, unheard of, and very controversial: "Blessed are the poor," "Before Abraham, I am," and "My kingdom is not of this world." Not of this world? 

The Jews struggled to grasp the meaning of a kingdom "not of this world", and we today, still do. This statement is often considered when people approach the topic of voting within our church. If the God we serve has initiated us into a kingdom "not of this world", then how can we take part in the affairs of this world? 

Does the Bible not give more insight as to how we are to relate with the world? Is the Bible wholly and completely void on the subject of a Christians relationship with the government? No!

 Jesus was once confronted on the issue of taxes. A man asked if it was right to pay taxes to Rome. Jews hated Rome, and taxes were not an exemption from this hatred. Jesus answered the question by saying to give to Rome what belongs to it, taxes, and to God what belongs to God. There is something the government controls, Jesus was saying, and you should respect that. Complimenting that, Paul writes in the book of Romas chapter thirteen, that government was ordained by God, and we should honor the government. 

With choices come responsibility. If we choose to eat certain foods, we are responsible for the result it produces, whether good or bad. It is the same with thoughts, words, and actions. Voting is also a choice that comes with responsibility. When someone votes, they are responsible for the results that come about from their vote. The people of Germany democratically elected Adolf Hitler and reaped the results of their vote. Democratic nations are run by the people. The vote of the majority runs the government. If people do not vote, then democracy fails. America is a republic, and the vote is the determining factor for the success of the nation. 

To vote is a responsibility. However, if you are not willing to take the responsibility in voting, you are still responsible for decisions. As an example, imagine that a proposition is put forth to the people regarding the legalization of prostitution. You, who presumably does not support prostitution, decide that you don't think it is necessary to take part in politics, and as a result do not vote. (Or maybe you are simply feeling too lazy to vote.) If for some strange reason the proposition is voted on favorably and is made law, you are then responsible for not taking action against it. When someone says that they will not vote because they don't want to get involved, they are involved. They are involved helping the side they are not bold enough to speak against. Voting is neither wrong nor a light matter. It is a serious responsibility, a right that was zealously fought for, and a solemn action. 

You can not with safety vote for just anything. Voting for what you believe is a service that you "render unto Caesar" and is part of the duty the people owe the government. When your vote is cast and it produces detrimental results to the nation, you are partly responsible for the downfall. Every decision in life must be considered with thoroughness, and the vote is no exception. 

So is voting wrong? No. But you can make it a wrong choice. Is it good. Yes, if you vote for the benefit of the country as you see fit for the country. Remember, in this country the people run the government. You can change that with your vote, or even the lack of your vote. The bottom line is that voting is a big responsibility, and if you vote you must be ready to except the results, both bad and good, as your own making. 

Voting is a responsibility, vote responsibly.