What I Need to Take into the Ballot Box in the EU Referendum

What I Need to Take into the Ballot Box in the EU Referendum on 23rd June 2016

We are fast approaching one of the most significant decisions the nation has faced in a generation: remain or leave the E.U.  Today I want to look at what I need to know as a Christian when entering the ballot box. 

I’m going to upset most of you today!  The issue though is so important it would be remiss of me not to address it!

Right up front I want to bring a disclaimer or a caveat: I am not going to tell you how I am voting, nor will I tell you how to vote. These things are personal choice.

Also I am sick and tired of being told by Christians, “Thus saith the Lord,” passionately and sincerely. There are two side to this:

• I have been given prophecies by people that say we should leave due to impending judgment against the E.U; by leaving we avoid such judgement. 

• Also, I have been sent prophecies from those saying we should stay in because of the social concern the E.U has and for the open evangelistic doors it provides. Leaving will damage the church.

Church we have three problems because of these polarising prophetic voices:

1. The two positions cannot both be true! Which can means that there is no discernment in the body of Christ. Where possible I have researched the sources of the various prophecies and have found that they are in line with their ministry agenda or political stance. We are told to weigh everything.
2. The two positions might both be true! Which means God cannot make up His mind! Well that would be heretical.
3. Both positions depend on fear. Don’t leave, get judged; leave and lose an evangelistic opportunity.

You don’t need me to tell you that both these views can be picked apart, disputed and debated. I’m not going to go further on these, but I just wanted to highlight the divisiveness.

Then we have have the scaremongering of politicians on both sides of the argument. We have both the leave and reman claiming that there will be higher unemployment, a worsening economy, lack of accountability and so on.  All built on fear again.

Then we have the facts. Or lack of them. Facts and statistics are being thrown around by everyone on both sides and both sides seem to change these each day. 

Then we have the age divide. Slightly generalist here, but indications are that those under 40 or more likely to vote remain than those over 40. It’s a trend but not necessarily true of everyone. 

As Christian people what should we be looking to do?  

A. Pray for our leaders, but don’t expect them to be Christian.

I read a few weeks ago a blog by someone who was using the Bible to say that the EU is wonderful and helps to poor, is a great relationship and is a demonstration of Christian love. It was clear to me that each and every Scripture is was taken out of context and mis-applied; eisogesis! 

Romans 13:1-5: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

Political leaders are appointed by God; they are His instruments to do good, but greed mitigates against that. When the Church expects the government to do the work of the Church we are in trouble. Scriptures about the role of Church in society cannot be applied to a secular government. We vote for who we think most represents our views, but this is not party political issues, it is a choice about the EU.

Here’s something to hold onto: the Church is the Church and not the government. 

It is not the government’s role to look after the poor, it is ours (James 1:27; Psalm 82:3; Luke 4:18 et al). We think it’s their job. Governments are not altruistic in nature. 

The Church has an opportunity around this referendum to reassess its role in society.

B. Don’t fight with each other over this issue, having an opinion does not make you right.

Romans 12:18: If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Ephesians 4:1-4: As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Be at peace with each other.

Political opinion is personal, but no one political position is wholly biblical. We cannot claim Jesus as a capitalist or a socialist - He makes statements regarding both , but is neither a capitalist nor a socialist (Matt. 25:40; Matt. 14-30).

“Taking these passages (Matt. 25:40; Matt. 14-30) in an economic sense eschews their essential meaning. Christ’s mission wasn’t to elevate our physical status, but to redeem mankind. Christ came to ransom sinners, not to cure cancer and extend voting rights; nor implement free markets. He comforted temporal afflictions to authenticate his claims so we’d believe, not for humanity’s physical comfort,” (Bill Flax, Was Jesus A Socialist, Capitalist, Or Something Else? http://www.forbes.com/sites/billflax/2012/01/31/was-jesus-a-socialist-capitalist-or-something-else/#5ab057083d84).

What is true is that no one has a clear answer to the complex questions around Europe because most people do not fully understand every aspect of what we are being asked to decide. 

We need to maintain our peace and our unity as a body of believers in the midst of turmoil outside.

Whether we stay in or out the people around you are still your brothers and sisters in Christ. Anecdotally it seems that the UK Church is divided 50/50 on the issue. 

Debate, fine. Divide, no!  Live in unity.

C. Pray for the outcome of the referendum, that God’s will be done. 

Matthew 6:10: “…your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

He is sovereign.  If judgement is to come it will always begin with the House of God (I Peter 4:17)!

God is in control.  He still expects us to vote prayerfully and responsibly.

As Christian people what do we need to take into the ballot box with us?

I shall be taking four things into the ballot box:

Confidence in God!

Revelation 1:8: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Psalm 20:7: Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

In Psalm 20 King David’s trust was not in the size of His army but in the size of his God! It did not matter is someone had fancier chariots, more horseman or skilled warriors, he trusted God.

In the middle of the confusion around the EU I choose simply to trust in Him who is above all things!

Joshua, in the midst of a new era for the people, moving into a new era and settling down, proclaims his trust:

Joshua 24:15: But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Confidence in the Church!

What do I mean by this? Whether we remain or leave the EU I know that the Church will go forward and flourish.

The Church will still exist. 

It will still be salt and light (Matt 5:13-16). 

It will still be the zenith of God’s will on earth 

Ephesians 3:ff10-11: His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It will still the be the voice that cries out in the wilderness of an increasingly secular UK. 

Matthew 5: 14: You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

It will still be the hope of every village, town and city in the UK, because it it’s still the only organisation that will exist for the benefit of those who do not yet belong to it. 

Confidence in the future!

Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Proverbs 23:17-18: Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. 18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

I shall be trusting in God, not man. 

I shall be looking to His promises not a political agenda for my future. 

I shall be seeking Him to deliver for me, my family, my city, my nation. 

In or out of Europe I choose to remain in Christ!

Confidence in the Voice of God!

James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

1 Chronicles 12: 32: …from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do…

Voting out of fear is actually has selfishness at its heart - it is a vote that wants the best for me, a job, cheap flights, food on the table.

I have confidence that no matter what happens around me, God is still in me!

I believe that having researched, considered, and weighed arguments and prophecies, God will give wisdom to me for that is what I ask for. 

I shall be asking for the moment, that Issachar anointing, to know what is the right thing to do in the midst of opinions and my own bias. I shall seek to take Him into ballot box with me and hear His voice!

Wrapping this up:

Pray for our nation.

Pray for our governmental leaders.

Pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Go be the salt and light.