My “Speaking of Faith” column for this week’s issue of the K-V Dispatch:

Now that I’ve gotten your attention with the title…

I’m usually not a rebel – not even a rebellious person.  I have a gentle nature that avoids confrontation, so I usually place myself in the category of “peacemaker” – even when I have a strong opinion on something.  To me, there are only a few things in life that are really worth going to battle over – whether it’s a war of weapons or of words.

That’s why I‘m surprised how strongly I feel about politics and religion.  As a pastor, I realize I’m in the minority here in Southside Virginia.  In fact, I’ve already had a few discussions with folks here who believe otherwise.  It seems people want me to tell them what to think, what to say – some even want me to tell them how to vote.  I almost feel that, as a pastor, it’s expected of me.

The Old Testament is full of history, information and exhortation for godly leaders.  So to me, it’s significant that Jesus steers clear of political topics during his recorded ministry.  You’d really have to “read into” the Gospels to make it seem that Jesus was advocating any political person or system.  In fact, his only recorded run-ins with the “law” ended very badly – first with Herod, then with Pilate.

Granted, people in Jesus’ time didn’t have the opportunity to vote for the next Caesar, or to impeach Pilate because they didn’t like his policies.  In fact, the state of Jewish affairs during Jesus’ lifetime was about as difficult as it could be.  Rome bullied small nations into submission, and held them down with an iron thumb – sometimes punishing an entire nation for a small uprising.  On at least one occasion, the Roman government crucified more than a thousand common, innocent people along the roads outside Jerusalem – just to make a point.

It’s the kind of human rights incident that, today, would cause an international uproar.  There would be protests worldwide; the UN would pass resolutions and apply pressure; surrounding nations would enforce sanctions and embargos.  Yet as awful as all this was, Jesus remained conspicuously silent on the subject… despite the fact that many (including some of his own followers) wanted him to do something about the Roman problem.

What does he do instead?  He takes the discussion to a different level.  Jesus states his worldly political position quite clearly in John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Jesus had great power as a public figure, and it’s likely that he could have led people in a serious rebellion against Rome.  But he didn’t advocate any political system, nor did he use his platform to criticize the local government.  Jesus abided by the laws, paid his taxes, and most likely lived as an upstanding citizen.  But he realized that there was a political system higher even than Rome – and we owe more allegiance to that heavenly king and kingdom more than we do to any leader or nation here on earth.

Similarly, I could use my position as a pastor to convince people that they should vote for one particular candidate or law.  And there are some who would have enough trust in me to vote as I tell them, without ever having to make their own decisions.  I already feel strongly enough about the November elections that I would have a bumper sticker on my car, a political sign in my front yard, and I’d probably volunteer for the local campaign.  But as a pastor, is that a good use of the position and influence God has given me?

And it begs another question.  I don’t tell people what kind of car to drive, or where to invest their money – so why should politics be any different?  Do I trust people to read the scriptures for themselves, to pray over their political choices?  Can I trust that God himself will give them direction?  Do I trust that God has given us all the intelligence and spiritual discernment to make choices based on our own convictions?

I can, and I do; and I think it would be an insult to you if I didn’t.  Call me a rebel!

So here are my instructions for all of us in the upcoming elections:  Pray that God would lead you.  Then study; learn about the issues and the candidates.  Then vote your convictions, trusting that God has guided you.  Finally, remember that what matters most is not which president we vote for in November, but which King we enthrone this very day!

©2012 Notes From Jon. All Rights Reserved.