The Bible in the Oval Office

Of course you don’t have to vote if it is not mandatory I shouldn’t even have to elaborate on that. But if it were law, then perhaps so. Paying tax is mandatory under the laws of the world and Jesus said to obey that. For me, if a leader arose and one of his or her policies was to make abortion illegal, then instead of me praying about this situation of mass murder, I could actually help to end it by voting. Yes it is good to pray but it is better to take action when you have the chance. Faith without works is dead.

As for Jesus voting? As I said, if it was mandatory, then I guess he would vote just as he would pay tax. If not, then I cannot speak on behalf of Jesus as to what he would do. I am not sure that there is anything left to debate about this. The only argument you will get from me is if you say that Jesus would never vote regardless of whether it was mandatory or not. I would question that because it would be you who assumes what Jesus would do.

you should study Israel when they ask for a king like the nation around them ,who did they rejected ?

when Jesus came the chosen king of God what did Jesus preached ? a return to submission to God his father

You are agreeing with me then. While the people wanted a king like the other nations, God gave them what they wanted but at a price too. Then God chose David. If God can choose a leader then is it really impossible to think that we as Believers would not choose a leader that was going to abolish a great evil? Or should we just be like the JWs and not get involved because they believe it is wrong to be involved in politics.

God chose Israel as his nation to show the world that he was God. The other nations gods couldn’t win against the God of Israel. The only times they were defeated were when they rejected him. The USA, Australia, New Zealand etc are not Israel. You are free to not vote for anyone, but if it were against the law, would you still abstain from voting and break the law? Do you even pay taxes? Personally, I try to use my vote for the one who has more consideration for godly things. That is my choice. Our leaders have power and a nation gets the leader they deserve. And when people do nothing about evil, then evil prevails.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

One of the ways we can fight evil rulers is with our vote believe it or not. We the people vote them in or not. But you are free to let the god of this world put his man in power even though you have one vote to help change that. It is your right in the USA to throw your vote away. But I disagree with your view that others should follow you or that I should take your advice. We should all be led by the Spirit of truth and do what works that are in line with our faith. As I said before. “Faith without works is dead”. I think it possible that if enough people will pray, then God can heal their land and give them a leader worthy of ruling them. Not all nations are evil, but yes we as individuals and as nations are not perfect.

Voting is not against the law of God and neither are taxes. But murder is breaking a commandment. I will let you answer your own question.

It is our contention that it is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to vote and to vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. God is most certainly in control, but that does not mean we should do nothing to further His will. We are commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). In terms of politics and leadership, there is evidence in Scripture that God has been displeased with our choices of leadership at times (Hosea 8:4). The evidence of sin’s grip on this world is everywhere. Much of the suffering on earth is because of godless leadership (Proverbs 28:12). Scripture gives Christians instructions to obey legitimate authority unless it contradicts the Lord’s commands (Acts 5:27-29; Romans 13:1-7). As born-again believers, we ought to strive to choose leaders who will be themselves led by our Creator (1 Samuel 12:13-25). Candidates or proposals that violate the Bible’s commands for life, family, marriage, or faith should never be supported (Proverbs 14:34).

Christians in many countries in this world are oppressed and persecuted. They suffer under governments they are powerless to change and governments that hate their faith and silence their voices. These believers preach the gospel of Jesus Christ at risk of their own lives. In the U.S.A., Christians have been blessed with the right to speak about and choose their leaders without fearing for themselves or their families.

In our day and age, there are many who want to drive the name and message of Christ completely out of the public arena. Voting is an opportunity to promote, protect, and preserve godly government. Passing up that opportunity means letting those who would denigrate the name of Christ have their way in our lives. The leaders we elect—or do nothing to remove—have great influence on our freedoms. They can choose to protect our right to worship and spread the gospel, or they can restrict those rights. They can lead our nation toward righteousness or toward moral disaster. As Christians, we should stand up and follow our command to fulfill our civic duties (Matthew 22:21).

https://gotquestions.org/Christians-vote.html

You have your views. When I am presented with for example a way to help end abortion/murder, I would probably take it rather than leave it alone to market forces. There are many things I do that I have not had a specific word from YHWH to do. I so the shopping sometimes and give things to people when I see a need. Sometimes God may say to do a specific thing or to not do it, but by and large I live and make decisions everyday and I believe that this is how we all live.

You are free not to vote toward a better country that is your choice, but I disagree that it is a worldly thing to do. We are clearly told to pray for our leaders, so we should be mindful of leadership.

You remind me of a kid who asks his father if he can go to the playground. Upon taking you there, you then ask him each time if you can play on the swing, then the slide, etc. But God wants us to stand on our own two feet. If he allows us to go to the playground, then are we not free to play there? It is not wrong to make every day decisions in this world and to vote and leave our mark.

If we leave it to wicked people to vote only, then they will have the power over you. Needless to say this is just plain obvious.

Like I said, you don’t have to vote, but you shouldn’t judge others who have the conviction to do so. That is my opinion on the matter.

I am glad your view is the very scriptures themselves. What about this one?

1 Timothy 2:1-3
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people 
2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior…” 

You seem to argue against verse 2 from what I can see. Is this true or have I misconstrued your words?

for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

If I had a chance to vote for a leader that would allow Believers to live peacefully compared with a leader that was going to destroy us, then I would certainly cast my vote, especially for the sake of my children. But I guess you wouldn’t because that is worldly, thus if there were enough Believers that held your view, then they would willingly give the power to evil. I am not sure who said this, but there is a saying that goes like this:

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

Faith is not just words like prayer, it is action too. Without works, faith is dead.

can you show me that this is reflected in Jesus teachings ?

This to me says that yes you are arguing against verse two, that you have a problem with Paul’s view here.

Is this the case?