A CALL TO CHRISTIAN CITIZENSHIP

Service to others is a Christian priority. It is interesting that those whose citizenship is in heaven make the best citizens of an state: democratic or totalitarian, Christian or pagan.

Civic obligation is emphatically commanded alongside the obligation to serve God. (Mark 12:17) Peter said, "Fear God, honor the king," and Paul said to "submit...to the governing authorities."

As Sir Frederick Catherwood, vice president of the European Parliament, said, "To try to improve society is not wordiness, but love. To wash your hands of society is not love but worldliness."

The New Testament does not speak about active political participation, for the good reason that this was not an option for first-century believers. The Roman Empire was not a democracy, and most Christians were not even Roman citizens. Present-day representative democracy, however, opens the door to a wider range of political possibilities and requires of us more in the way of responsible commitment than Christians of New Testament times.

What the Christian citizen should do:

Keep informed. Otherwise you cannot judge well about issues, vote well for candidates, or pray well for rulers. Political ignorance is never a Christian virtue.

Pray for those in power, as 1 Timothy 2:1-4 directs. The secret effectiveness of prayer is enormous.

Vote in elections and referendums, whenever expressions of public opinion are called for. Be led in your voting by issues rather than by personalities, and not by single issues viewed as isolation, but your vision of total community welfare. This is one way in which you can exert influences as the world's salt and light (Matt. 5:13-16).

Seek political influence by debating, writing, and working within the political party with which you are in nearest agreement. Clergy should not ordinarily do this, since it will be a barrier to the acceptance of their congregation by people who disagree with their politics. It is, however, desirable that lay people with political interest should be encouraged to see the gaining and exerting of political influence as a field of Christian service, alongside the fields of church life, worship, and witness.

Be willing to accept a political vocation. Bible history shows that God wants some of his servants as professional politicians, leading and shaping society. The choice of being in politics is costly, though. You must be prepared to work hard - with patience, humility, tolerance, and integrity. You must be willing to ride rebuffs, and work for the public good rather than your own. But the results of good leadership can radically change the lives of individuals in the most profound way.

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