In addition to the insurmountable difficulty one would encounter in public office to exercise the principles of Christianity, one must also consider that many of the decisions he would be called upon to make would be inconsistent with the commandments of Christ. One of the most fundamental services a government renders to its citizens is the formation and enforcement of laws; laws which are designed to preserve and protect the rights of the individual. The legal courts are under the jurisdiction of either the local, state or federal government, and provide the vehicle for the enforcement of these laws and the insurance that the rights of its people are upheld. Whether the case brought before the courts be civil for the repairing of injuries and the restoration of property, or criminal for the punishing of law-breakers, it will be necessary for the officials to enforce the laws of the land against individuals or groups of people.
Outside the Law of Christ
In civil cases, the complaining party brings the offender to court, and there, brings to bear the weight of the law for the recovery of injuries or property. That this procedure, both from the standpoint of the person initiating the action and the officials enforcing the laws, is out of harmony with the most elementary teachings of Christ is evident when one considers the sermon on the mount. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye’ and a tooth for a tooth’; But I say unto you that Ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man sue thee at the Law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.” (Matt. 5:38-40) If it is contrary to the principles of Christ to exercise the rights of citizens as outlined above, surely it must be equally inconsistent to sit in public office as part of the system that regulates legislation.
In criminal cases, the offender is brought to court by public officials for the purpose of punishment, and the arrestment of the malpractice. In many cases the state or federal officials must impose on the law-breaker, either a fine or imprisonment or both. In some states and for some offences, the death sentence may be invoked. The law of Christ, as it bears upon His followers, strictly forbids any such action. The whole spirit of His teachings imposes a disposition of docility and non-resistance to evil upon His disciples. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment’: but I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of the judgment . . . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” (Matt. 5:21, 22, 44) To accept a position in the government where one becomes involved with such procedures, is to agree to a set of ethics outside the law of Christ. As one reads the sermon on the mount, it becomes increasingly apparent that these teachings of Christ are for the individual — not for society in general. They are designed for a people who have separated themselves from the world and its lusts, and who consider themselves now to be strangers and foreigners in the land. As such, they are expected, yea Commanded to observe the laws of the state, recognizing in them a God-given provision for the orderly and exemplary lives, Christians are expected to live. It is recognized by all the followers of Christ that aside from the laws of the land utter chaos would reign, with the result that the preaching of the gospel would be impossible or severely hampered. The only time one is exempted from observing the laws of the land is when the keeping of such will result in a violation of the commandments of Christ — as in the case of first century believers who refused the voice of Rome to desist in the practice of being Christians, even though it meant imprisonment, torture and death.
In the Service of the Master
In times of war or preparation for war (as in the present era), decisions must be made by state officials which are in direct opposition to the teachings of the Scriptures. One of the most outstanding blessings that the Kingdom of God will bring to the inhabitants of this earth is world peace. Through the voice of Isaiah, God declares that the nations of the world shall not only “Beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks”; they shall not only cease from lifting “up sword against nation”; but they shall not even “Learn War Any More“. (Isa. 2:4) King David proclaims, “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the tire.” (Psa. 46:9) There are all to be abolished on a world-wide scale with the advent of Christ, being nothing more than the results of the “Lusts that war in your members”. It must be the Federal government that initiates a declaration of war against another sovereign state, or that legislates draft laws for the effective training of young men in the art of making war. To be associated with such a system that is to be completely abolished through the presence of the “Prince of Peace”, in the capacity suggested above is to abandon the counsel of God.
To become involved in the political sphere is to encumber one’s self with needless and time-consuming burdens, which are not only unlawful to the Christian, but a serious detriment to the performance of one’s duties. Paul warned Timothy to avoid the complications of the world’s pursuits, declaring, “No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one that enlisted him.” (2 Tim. 2:4 R.S.V.) The Greek word used by Paul and translated, “entangled” means to braid in, interweave — hence, metaphorically, to be involved. The language is based upon the practice of Rome in regard to their legionary soldiers, who were not permitted to engage in husbandry, merchandise, mechanical employments or anything that might be inconsistent with their calling. The political sphere is like a complicated maze that can ensnare and involve its victims in ungodly enterprises. The follower of Christ is therefore urged to lay aside every weight that might deter him in the race for salvation; to cast aside every interest that might challenge his obedience to the Truth, that he may win the approval of the One who has called him to His service.
The Voters—The Life Blood of the Political Machine
It might appear at this point that we have needlessly laboured the inconsistency of holding a political position while employed in the ranks of Christ’s service. Most of those who read these words will agree quite enthusiastically with our position. Why, then, the seemingly overemphasis upon this subject? The answer is quite simple, since there are some who can readily perceive the invalidness of holding public office, but are unable to discern the wrongness of voting for those aspiring to it. In reality, service in the Political world is inseparably linked with voting. “You can’t have one without the other.” The life blood of any corrupt political system lies in the voters. They are the arteries that supply the real power to those holding public office. This is why so many hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars are spent by those backing certain political candidates in an effort to get them into office. An individual aspiring to the political arena is absolutely powerless to get there Unless the voters are behind him. What does this suggest? Does it not teach us that those voting for holders of political positions are just as the candidates seeking election? Does it not display to us the utter inconsistency of refusing public office, but voting for those who do not? Indeed it does!
Sharing the Blame
Perhaps the real responsibility of the voter can best be envisioned when we remember that his stamp on the ballot underwrites the conduct of his political favorite. The one in office is given powers and authorities, which he may exercise without any consideration of Christian principles — even those of his voters. Any misconduct he commits in the capacity of public servant must be shared by those electing him. If his public office is one of national importance (such as congressional or the presidency), he will undoubtedly be compelled to render decisions which Christians ought never to make. The decision of President Harry S. Truman to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima represented the minds of those who put him into office. The awful responsibility that accompanies an act of this nature must be shared by the whole political structure. The one who manufactures a machine gun and places it in the hands of an irresponsible person is as much to blame for any violence that will follow as the one who actually uses it. The same principle holds true in the elective system. The voter cannot shun his own personal responsibility for the conduct of those his vote helped into office. It is little wonder that we find no mention of political preference in the New Testament. It is understandable why we never read of Christ and the apostles, or His followers engaging in the affairs of state, or backing certain candidates for public office. Jesus and those associated with Him always stayed aloof from the state. When asked by Pilate what He had done that His own people had delivered Him to be crucified, Jesus replied, “My Kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence”. (Jo. 18:36).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One