America faces a critical moral leadership crisis today. Leadership is crucial. If our leadership is poor and opposes God’s truths, what will the people be like? God is greatly interested in a nation’s political life. Some say He ought to stay out of government, but the truth is, to succeed, a government must always look to Almighty God.
Every two years in November, American citizens have the privilege to vote. For the Christian, it’s more than a privilege: it’s a duty. A nation gets the sort of leadership it deserves. As a Christian, if you willingly do not vote, you disobey God, for Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). (See also, Matthew 22:21.)
In America, “Caesar” is our government “of, by, and for the people.” “We the people” are the government. To fail to participate is to sin against Almighty God.
It’s unthinkable that God would ordain human government and then tell His people to stay out of it. Who would that leave to lead it?
I want to lay four important truths on your heart:
1. God Requires Character
People say, “So what about character?” Character is rooted in God’s principles. Leaders without character contaminate everything they touch.
A leader should have six required characteristics:
Godliness
The ungodly are unfit for leadership. A leader acts for God and is “a minister of God.” (See Romans 13:4.) A ruler’s “throne” is “established in righteousness.” A ruler must follow God. (See Psalm 148:11-12, Proverbs 16:12.)
Wisdom
True wisdom comes from godliness and righteousness. (See Proverbs 8:12-16.) It’s the gift of God. But leaders cannot have wisdom from God unless they are under God in service and worship, not watching polls to see which way the wind is blowing. What would Jesus Christ have preached if He had taken a poll?
Honesty
Liars and leaders are not the same. Liars and those who listen to liars shouldn’t be elected. (See Proverbs 17:7, 20:28 and 29:12.) Leaders with fortitude and honesty, guided by truth, make history.
Discrimination When Choosing Helpers
If leaders surround themselves with wicked people, they’re unfit to lead. Who’s in their inner circle? Who do they listen to? (See Proverbs 25:4-5.)
Willingness to Protect the Weak
God gives us leaders to protect us from evil people. (See Proverbs 31:8-9.) Leaders should be defenders of those who cannot defend themselves—particularly innocent unborn babies. Some laws are evil in the sight of God. If you shed innocent blood, God swears by Himself that He will destroy your nation (See Jeremiah 22:3-5.)
A leader must stand up for the innocent and defenseless. (See Psalm 94:20-21, Habakkuk 2:12.) Never expect God to bless iniquity. He can’t and won’t.
2. God Allows You to Choose
You can choose against His will. (See Hosea 8:4.) When voters choose evil, power-mad leaders and a nation’s wickedness becomes great, God will turn that nation over to leaders who bring calamity.
Wicked rulers are God’s reward for wicked people. America will get the leadership it deserves.
3. God Also Allows Consequences
The choice is ours. (See Proverbs 29:2.) Do Americans realize what desperate trouble we’re in? God has taken down the hedge! He’s no longer protecting America! Will buckets of blood and rivers of tears be the price America pays for the wicked men and women we elect?
4. God Retains Control
Nevertheless, God hasn’t forsaken control. (See Isaiah 40:24b.) God is still the King of Kings (Psalm 47:7-8) over Earth, and He “sits as King forever” (Psalm 29:10).
You didn’t vote Almighty God in, and you won’t vote Him out. You’ll never impeach Him. Where God does not rule He will still overrule, if He chooses. (See Psalm 33:10-12.)
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “There is no panic in Heaven, only plans.” There’s certain control God reserves for Himself. (See Isaiah 14:26-27.) He is King forever.
When Jesus comes to Earth again, He will sit on David’s throne. Neither presidents, kings, nor prime ministers will stop His hand—no more than Pharaoh could stop Moses. God is over even those who don’t know Him. (See Proverbs 21:1.)
We are in desperate trouble. Oh, that we might repent in a great spiritual awakening! That we might choose righteous leadership!
No matter who gets elected when, the Holy Trinity never meets in emergency session. God is still in control. With Jesus Christ as my King, I have hope and a sure future in Him.
What, Then, Should We Do?
● Pray for revival.
● Prepare for suffering.
● Teach our children that life may not be like we had it.
● Build character into our children for what they are about to face.
● Be ready for Jesus’ arrival.
● Choose: If you don’t know Jesus, don’t remain undecided.
