Christian Voters and The Republic

Looking back over the election last month, one troubling fact emerged - lack of Christian voting.  41 million born-again Christians did not vote November 5th according to Barna research.  

Romans 13 is a passage that often challenges us to think deeply about our relationship with authority. It reminds us that "there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God" (Romans 13:1). The Apostle Paul’s words seem straightforward - submit to governing authorities because they are God’s servants, bearing the sword to punish wrongdoers and reward the good. Yet, living in a Republic, where authority flows from "we the people," invites us to wrestle with the nuances of what Paul’s teaching means in our civic context.

In a Republic, the ultimate sovereign is not a monarch or dictator but the citizens. Leaders are elected to represent us, and craft and enforce laws on our behalf. These leaders wield authority - the power of the sword - but they do so as agents of the sovereign, which is us. This shifts the responsibility in significant ways. As Christians living under this system, we bear a unique weight of accountability.

Doesn't it stand to reason, then, that if we are the sovereign, we must show up and be prepared for the work we’ve been given to do? Civic engagement is not just a right but a duty, one that flows from our identity as participants in this system of governance. At the very least, this means voting - but not just casting a ballot as a casual act. Voting with knowledge of the issues, prayerful discernment, and a heart aligned with God’s justice and truth is an essential expression of our stewardship.

The call extends beyond voting. Romans 13 also calls us to obey the laws crafted by those we elect, even when those laws are made through imperfect processes or enforced by imperfect leaders. This obedience is not blind submission; it is an acknowledgment that God works through the systems of governance, even flawed ones, to accomplish His purposes. Yet, as sovereigns in a Republic, we are not only subjects of the law but also shapers of it. This dual role - to obey and to shape -requires wisdom, humility, and active engagement.

So, how do we live this out? First, by committing to be informed. Knowing the issues, understanding the candidates, and discerning the implications of policies are acts of stewardship over the responsibility God has entrusted to us. Second, by engaging prayerfully. Asking for God’s guidance as we navigate complex choices ensures our decisions are rooted in His wisdom rather than our preferences. Finally, by participating actively. Beyond voting, this could mean attending town halls, advocating for just policies, or even running for office.

Romans 13 calls us to a posture of respect and obedience, but in our Republic, it also calls us to active participation. As the sovereign, we must not abdicate our responsibility. We must show up - not just as citizens but as disciples of Christ, prepared to seek the good of our communities, shaped by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit. Let us embrace this sacred trust with the seriousness and joy it deserves, knowing that our engagement in the civic arena is an act of worship, loving our neighbor and a testimony to the Kingdom of God.

Those are my thoughts, I could be wrong. 

What Does It Mean to Have the Faith of a Child?

When we hear the phrase “the faith of a child,” our first thought is, "What does it mean?  Is it as simple as a faith of innocence, trust and dependence? And what do those terms really mean? And why did Jesus place this in our minds?

The Bible tells us in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” That’s a pretty bold statement, and worth digging into. Jesus was pointing us to something we need to grapple with. 

Children, in their ideal state, embody trust. They don’t overthink or second-guess. When a loving parent says, “Jump, I’ll catch you,” they leap without hesitation. That’s faith - in action. It’s not blind faith, but faith rooted in a relationship and the confidence in the one they trust.

Compare that to adult wisdom.  Adults are skeptics - they doubt, hedge and have reservations.  We demand evidence, plans, guarantees. Our sophistication becomes a barrier to faith. We’re not leaping off the edge; we’re calculating how far we might fall and if the net can hold us. 

And let’s not overlook the humility of children. They know they’re not in charge. They’re small, dependent, and often quick to admit when they need help. Adults? Not so much. We’re busy pretending we have it all together, even when the wheels are coming off. But God’s kingdom doesn’t run on self-reliance. It’s for those who know they need Him.

We're not called to childishness, tantrums or immaturity.  Nor are we called to engage in shallow thinking.  There’s a difference between being child-like and being child-ish. God calls us to grow in wisdom and discernment, to “move on to solid food” as Paul puts it in Hebrews 5:14. But that growth should never stifle the core of what faith is: trust, dependence, and humility.

Let's take a moment thinking about how this applies to our lives.  Are we clinging to control, demanding see all the light's turn green before we leave the house?  Are we willing to trust God’s character and leap, knowing He’s there to catch us?

Having the faith of a child doesn’t mean shutting down our brain. It means opening our hearts. It means understanding we don’t have all the answers and that’s okay because we know the One who does. It means believing God’s promises are as good as His word - no fine print, no disclaimers.

The world?  Well they mock this kind of faith. It calls it naïve, foolish, etc. But what’s truly foolish is trusting in ourselves, in our own limited understanding, in a world that changes with the winds. Real faith, the faith of a child, is the wisdom to trust in the unchanging God who invites us into His Kingdom.

But that’s just my take. I could be wrong...