Kingdom Voting: A Divine Partnership for Justice

 

Summary

Kingdom voting is a profound opportunity and responsibility for committed Christians to partner with God in shaping society through civil government. It is not merely a civic duty but a divine partnership where we express God's heart and mindset about societal function. In a democracy, we have the privilege and obligation to influence how society operates, and this influence should reflect God's character, content, and perspective. Since God is the creator of government, it is our duty to engage in the voting process with the intention of mirroring His righteousness and justice. By doing so, we fulfill our role as His representatives on Earth, using our votes as a witness to His principles and values. This responsibility calls us to be informed, prayerful, and intentional about our choices at the ballot box, ensuring that our decisions align with the divine order and improvement of society.

Key Takeaways:

1. Divine Partnership in Voting: Voting is not just a civic duty but a divine partnership with God. As Christians, we are called to express God's heart and mindset in our voting decisions, ensuring that our choices reflect His righteousness and justice. This partnership requires us to be informed and prayerful, seeking to align our votes with God's principles. [00:12]

2. Reflecting God's Character: Our responsibility in voting extends beyond personal preferences to reflecting God's character in society. By voting, we have the opportunity to influence societal norms and values, ensuring they align with God's perspective. This requires a deep understanding of God's character and a commitment to mirror it in our civic engagement. [00:32]

3. The Role of Government: Recognizing that God created government, we must take our voting responsibility seriously. Government is a tool for order and improvement, and as Christians, we are called to influence it in a way that reflects God's divine order. This involves using our votes to promote justice, righteousness, and the common good. [00:52]

4. Voting as a Witness: Our participation in the voting process serves as a witness to God's principles and values. By voting, we demonstrate our commitment to God's kingdom and our desire to see His will done on Earth. This witness is a powerful testimony of our faith and our dedication to living out God's commands in every aspect of life. [01:10]

5. Intentional Civic Engagement: Engaging in the voting process requires intentionality and discernment. As Christians, we must be proactive in understanding the issues, candidates, and policies that align with God's perspective. This intentional engagement ensures that our votes contribute to the righteous use of the ballot box and the betterment of society. [01:10]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Understanding Kingdom Voting
- [00:32] - Expressing God's Heart in Society
- [00:52] - Reflecting God in Government
- [01:10] - The Righteous Use of the Ballot Box

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Voting

#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 13:1-7 - This passage discusses the role of government and the Christian's responsibility to it, aligning with the sermon’s theme of divine partnership in voting.
2. Micah 6:8 - This verse emphasizes acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, reflecting the sermon’s call to mirror God's character in civic engagement.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the sermon suggest is the primary purpose of voting for Christians? [00:12]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God and government? [00:52]
3. According to the sermon, what are Christians called to reflect in their voting decisions? [00:32]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Romans 13:1-7 inform a Christian's understanding of their role in government and voting?
2. In what ways does Micah 6:8 challenge Christians to consider their civic responsibilities?
3. The sermon mentions voting as a witness to God's principles. How might this concept influence a Christian's approach to political discussions? [01:10]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your past voting decisions. How have they aligned with the principles of justice and righteousness as described in the sermon? [00:32]
2. What steps can you take to become more informed and prayerful about your voting choices, ensuring they reflect God's character? [00:12]
3. Consider a current societal issue. How can you engage with it in a way that reflects God's perspective and promotes the common good? [00:52]
4. How can you use your influence in your community to encourage others to view voting as a divine partnership with God? [00:12]
5. Identify a specific policy or candidate that aligns with God's principles. What actions can you take to support this in your community?
6. How can you ensure that your discussions about politics with others are respectful and reflect God's love and justice?
7. What practical steps can you take this week to prepare for the next election, ensuring your choices align with the divine order and improvement of society? [01:10]

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Partnership in Voting
Voting is not just a civic duty but a divine partnership with God. As Christians, we are called to express God's heart and mindset in our voting decisions, ensuring that our choices reflect His righteousness and justice. This partnership requires us to be informed and prayerful, seeking to align our votes with God's principles. By engaging in this divine partnership, we acknowledge that our role in society is to be a conduit of God's will, using our influence to promote His values and principles. This means that our voting decisions should not be based solely on personal preferences or societal trends but should be a reflection of our commitment to God's kingdom and His righteousness. [00:12]

Isaiah 33:22 (ESV): "For the Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; he will save us."

Reflection: Consider the upcoming election. How can you intentionally seek God's guidance in your voting decisions to ensure they align with His principles and values?


Day 2: Reflecting God's Character
Our responsibility in voting extends beyond personal preferences to reflecting God's character in society. By voting, we have the opportunity to influence societal norms and values, ensuring they align with God's perspective. This requires a deep understanding of God's character and a commitment to mirror it in our civic engagement. As representatives of Christ, our actions, including our votes, should be a testament to His love, justice, and mercy. This means that we must be diligent in understanding the issues at hand and discerning how they align with God's character and His desires for humanity. [00:32]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did it reflect God's character, and how can you apply this reflection to your voting choices?


Day 3: The Role of Government
Recognizing that God created government, we must take our voting responsibility seriously. Government is a tool for order and improvement, and as Christians, we are called to influence it in a way that reflects God's divine order. This involves using our votes to promote justice, righteousness, and the common good. By understanding the role of government as ordained by God, we can better appreciate the importance of our participation in the electoral process. Our votes are not just expressions of personal opinion but are opportunities to shape the government to reflect God's intentions for justice and peace. [00:52]

Romans 13:1-2 (ESV): "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment."

Reflection: How can you use your influence in your community to promote policies that reflect God's justice and righteousness?


Day 4: Voting as a Witness
Our participation in the voting process serves as a witness to God's principles and values. By voting, we demonstrate our commitment to God's kingdom and our desire to see His will done on Earth. This witness is a powerful testimony of our faith and our dedication to living out God's commands in every aspect of life. As Christians, our lives should be a reflection of our faith, and this includes our civic duties. By voting in a way that aligns with God's principles, we bear witness to His sovereignty and our allegiance to His kingdom. [01:10]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Think of a way your vote can serve as a testimony to God's values. How can you ensure that your civic engagement reflects your faith?


Day 5: Intentional Civic Engagement
Engaging in the voting process requires intentionality and discernment. As Christians, we must be proactive in understanding the issues, candidates, and policies that align with God's perspective. This intentional engagement ensures that our votes contribute to the righteous use of the ballot box and the betterment of society. By being informed and prayerful, we can make decisions that not only reflect our values but also promote the common good. This means taking the time to research, pray, and seek God's guidance in all aspects of our civic engagement. [01:10]

Proverbs 2:6-9 (ESV): "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints."

Reflection: Identify one issue or candidate you are unsure about. How can you seek God's wisdom and understanding to make an informed decision?

Quotes

"Kingdom voting is the opportunity and responsibility of committed Christians to partner with God in influencing his rule for the order and Improvement of society through the vehicle of civil government, because we have been given this opportunity to express through voting God's heart and mindset about how Society is to function." [00:04:50]

"We are obligated to take advantage of this witness that voting gives us, because we have a say-so in a democracy about how Society functions and since we are to reflect God in society since it is God himself who created government we should take seriously that responsibility." [00:39:12]

"To as best as we can, through the voting influence we have, to reflect God's character, God's content, and God's perspective on how Society should function through the righteous use of The Ballot Box." [00:64:01]

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Transcript
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