The 2016 U.S. presidential election reached a fever pitch this week. On Super Tuesday, candidates had the chance to win more support from delegates than on any other day during the primaries. Delegates from 11 states took their sides.
Candidates have spent nearly a full year trying to convince voters that they have the policies and experience to lead the U.S. into a brighter future. Attempting to appeal broadly to voters, the candidates have been promising healthcare reform, debating how best to pay for college, and explaining their convictions concerning diplomatic policy.
The current political climate has become more and more complicated as voters try to decide not only who should represent their party in the general election, but also who should ultimately be elected president in November. Not to mention how local, state, and congressional elections play into the whole picture.
Many people feel increasing uncertainty and fear about the outcomes of the elections. Voters want to elect someone who shares their views and who will defend the average person. It seems harder and harder to reconcile these personal values with the rhetoric of the candidates. Political parties seem more and more polarized, while representing the electorate less and less. For followers of Jesus, voting can be a way to promote their religious convictions, but what should they do when the direction of society appears to be at odds with those values?
Christians who lived under the Roman Empire did not have the privilege of electing their government officials, and the government did not share the early church’s beliefs and values about society. For this reason, early Christians experienced great fear and uncertainty due to the persecution they faced—from both their neighbors and the government. They struggled with how to relate to the government in authority over them.
The apostle Peter recognized these challenges and sought to help Christians respond well to them. Today, his words encourage Christians to live faithful to God’s Kingdom above all and let that shape the lives we live as citizens here and now.
1 Peter 2:11-17
Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
Make the Master proud of you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.