Our republican form of government requires participation from the citizens. This doesn’t just include voting but also watching what their representative’s do then holding them accountable should they cease respecting and honoring the people who elected them. If we fail to do this, the nation will sink into a democratic socialistic form of government that creates a soft tyranny where the government has its hand in all aspects of our lives. This also creates a government that ultimately picks winners and losers so that we lose the principle of equal opportunity that caused the United States to become the most prosperous nation in the world.
Thomas Jefferson stated in a letter to John Taylor, 1816 “…that the people have less regular control over their agents, than their rights and their interests require.” In other words as citizens in a Republic it is “We the People’s” responsibility to monitor what our elected agents are doing. And James Madison in a letter to W.T. Barry, 1822 warned “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance: And a people who mean to be their own Governors, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”
The founders firmly understood that the people must be moral, virtuous and educated in order to perform their duties as citizens in electing representatives that possess the qualities that make good leaders. Qualities such as wisdom, knowledge, sincerity, integrity, character and honor. So you may be wondering how to really know if any candidates possess these character qualities. It takes making the effort to investigate each candidate’s backgrounds and then making a point of meeting them to ask questions regarding why they are running for office (motive) and what their political philosophy is. If they say they have been a conservative leader, ask for specifics like what they did and were they successful.
Things to take note of when researching a candidate is their past associations, organizations and religious affiliation. If at all possible talk to people who know them well and pray for God’s wisdom and revelation. I had a personal experience in interviewing some candidates in my district for state representative and it was quite an enlightening experience. There were two young men approximately the same age and same educational backgrounds who proclaimed faith in Christ. But one had character flaws that weren’t immediately outwardly noticeable. If we listen to the voice of the Lord or the nudging of the Holy Spirit we will know how to distinguish which one is the best candidate that will represent the people honorably.
It is the motive of the heart that matters. We don’t realize the impact that we can have when we vote. So many people think that their vote doesn’t really count but the truth is that many important elections have been decided by one vote. The vote to go to war with England was won by one vote! So your vote does count and is very important. We are currently approaching the last forty days before the mid-term elections that will decide who will take control over the United States Senate and who will lead many of our states. Be active in this process, don’t sit back and take this process for granted. Too many people have sacrificed their lives so we can have the benefits of liberty – the right to freely elect our representatives.
Take your responsibility seriously and commit yourself also to prayer that God might put in place leaders whose desires will only be to please Him by honoring the people they represent. If Christians would be as willing to sacrifice the time to study the word of God, recognize the issues we face today, actively engage in the election process and pray for wisdom then we would see a true change in the character of the nation.
Next Week: Part III – Teachable Moments
Dinner Table Discussion Question: Brain storm ways to get more involved and who you know that can help connect you to your elected representatives or those currently running for office. Discuss what holds you back from taking this responsibility seriously.