In his recent article, “Policies, Persons and Paths to Ruin,” John Piper discusses politics and Christianity in the United States 2020 election. Central to Piper’s analysis is the sin of unrepentance, citing sexual immorality, vulgarity, and factitiousness, as a deterrent to his own political judgment. The underlying argument Piper makes is that policies should not outperform person, “it is a drastic mistake to think that the deadly influences of a leader come only through his policies and not also through his person.” This discussion reveals how such a perspective disqualifies all candidates from leadership positions, breaks the laws of Christian love and humility and fails to provide sound guidance for Christians worldwide. Instead, the discussion offers a perspective that involves humility, righteousness, and support for the nation of Israel as essential to political judgment for Christians.
Humility
Humility is a defining feature of Christian character, “…in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3). As Piper noted, the forgiveness of sin is free for all who humble themselves before God and of course, the converse is true for those who don’t, but how do we measure genuine repentance when we are unable to see the heart? We are conscious of the corruption of our own minds: impure motives, desires, and thoughts, but not the minds of others. In this vein, we should respect others, whose hearts we do not know, as more honorable than ours with genuine humility that allows us to say like the Apostle Paul, “…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul’s words align with God’s words in Matthew 7:1-4, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye.?” Christians are called to be peacemakers, abandoning all contention, angry passions, rivalry, and schemes, but how often do we attempt to judge and embarrass others? Instead, we must desire to glorify God, show His love, and pursue pure intentions.
In scrutinizing “persons” we must remember that God uses whom He pleases. The Apostle Paul was known for “…breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples…” (Acts 9:1). The book of Acts chronicles his search for Jesus’ followers to imprison them (Acts 9:2). We know how his story ends, God called Paul and gave him a new name, mandate, and purpose and here is what the Lord said, “this man is my chosen instrument…” (Acts 9:15). Saul the tormentor became Paul the Apostle and one of the most dominant Christian leaders the world has ever seen. We are not called to criticize the person, “Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment” (John 7:24).
Righteousness
Christians are called to righteousness. This does not mean that Christians should refrain from or are unable to make wise political decisions that can impact their future. The scripture says, “a wise man’s heart inclines him to the right…” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) and wisdom comes from the Lord Himself (Proverbs 9:10). The Bible also says “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34). Christians should cast their votes for righteous policies. Righteousness is not an opinion; it is a fact. God outlines righteousness as right and just conduct which condemns idolatry, oppression, and injustice but upholds integrity, morality, civility, and respect for the worship of God (Ezekiel 18:5-9). We are not called to denounce the person because we know as the psalmist David did, “If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm130:3).
Supporters of Israel
Friends of Israel are friends of God. Of Israel, God says “…through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed…” (Genesis 22:18). How often do we as Christians ignore Israel, the Holy Land, and God’s Chosen people? How can we expect to be blessed for such audacious disregard for Israel? Christians must understand that Christianity came from the Jews (John 4:22) and God promises to bless those that bless Israel but curse those that curse Israel (Genesis 12:3). God also says that lovers of Israel will be made secure by God Himself (Psalm 122:6). To be made secure means to have peace, a form of quiet prosperity. Peace is the message of the Gospel: peace with God, peace of mind, peace in death, and ultimately, eternal peace. Christians ought to vote for a leader who loves and supports the Holy Land of Israel.
Vote
To adopt a stance that all candidates up for the leadership of a nation are unworthy and therefore cannot be supported, stands against the very freedoms that nations fought terribly to achieve: the right to vote. The Bible says, “choose this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15). Freedom is of the Lord and our freedom to select rulers should not be ignored or undervalued, “for freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1). Failure to vote reflects a rejection of the freedom Christ purchased for us with His own blood and a failure to fulfill one’s moral obligation to our God by honoring the land He has given us. We have the freedom of choice and the Holy Spirit to guide our decisions.
Conclusion
The appointment of a leader is a defining moment for a nation as it dictates the future. The Bible says, “for a lack of guidance, a nation falls…” (Proverbs 11:14). Christians have a responsibility to vote and to do so on Biblical principles. The Bible presses us to conduct ourselves with sympathy, brotherly love, tenderness of heart, and humility, with the assurance that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their cry, but His face is against those who do evil (1 Peter 3:8-18). We serve a God of wisdom and might, Who changes times and seasons, removes and sets up leaders (Daniel 2:20-21). May His peace guide you to vote, not on person but with humility and for righteous policies
