It cannot have escaped your notice that a general election is near! Even though it has yet to be called it is obvious that the politicians are getting ready for it. The media are full of the soundbites, slogans and scandals that accompany elections. There is talk of ‘hope’ and there are promises of ‘change’ but, without wanting to be overly-cynical, we wonder whether the election will achieve anything very much that is in the real, long-term interest of our land. Part of the reason for this is the dominance the European Union now has over us: but that is another story!

In our system of government Parliaments run for a fixed term and when five years are up there has to be an election. The current Parliament was first summoned on Wednesday 11th May 2005 and it will cease to exist at midnight on Monday 10th May 2010. A general election to elect the new Parliament must be held by no later than Thursday 3rd June. Of course the Prime Minister can call an election before the five years are up and Gordon Brown may yet choose to do this. Clearly he will select a date which he thinks is most likely to result in success for his own party.

Every few years then we have a choice as to who we would like to govern us in civil matters. This is an important aspect of the life of any nation for political office carries with it a weighty responsibility. In the Bible those in government are said to be “God’s ministers” (Rom.13:6). This is not a perspective that we hear much of today but it is one that should make us think carefully before we ever cast our vote at an election.

Many when they come to vote are guided by self-interest. They will often choose whoever is likely to put most money in their pocket – whether it be in the form of wage rises or tax cuts and whether it is really deserved or can be afforded. We should beware of being led by a greedy or envious spirit. “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity” (Ecc.5:10). How many disputes between men are caused by a desire for material gain! Not for nothing does the Bible say that “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1Tim.6:10).

Others at election time have a wider view when they vote. Their interest is not so much personal but social: they want to change society as a whole according to some philosophy or creed they hold to and so they vote for those who, according to their public statements, agree with their outlook. The implementation of such a manifesto may involve changes in the areas of education, welfare, commerce, defence and so on. Or it may mean extending freedom for certain types of behaviour and restricting it for others.

These are the various choices of men. However when we vote we should really ask, What sort of rulers does God require? what is His choice? We are commanded to pray “For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1Tim.2:1,2). God’s mandate for civil leaders is that they should govern in such a way that godliness may flourish. They are sent by Him “for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well” (1Pet.2:14). The Bible is the only sure guide to what is evil and what is good.

Who better to promote godliness than Christians? The Anabaptist doctrine that believers have no place in civil government because the church must be separate from the world is quite wrong. It leaves the field open to the godless, to the detriment of society as a whole and also the cause of Christ. “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted” (Psa.12:8).

Like Moses we should look for “able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness” (Exod.18:21). We need righteous men who know the law of God and have a will to enforce it (Ezra 7:25,26), men who are impartial (Deut.1:17) and who speak for the dumb (Prov.31:8,9). Although the kingdom of Christ is “not of this world” (John 18:36) its subjects, as salt and light, should have an influence for good upon this world, even in government if it is possible.

Can such men be found in our nation today? They seem to be few and far between. It is our comfort that God is the supreme Sovereign. Earthly rulers, from kings to councillors, are ordained by Him (Rom.13:1). Specifically they are under the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, and accountable to Him. “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice” (Prov.8:15). Pray that God would raise up righteous men and cast the wicked down, even at election time.

“In gods’ assembly God doth stand;

    he judgeth gods among.

How long, accepting persons vile,

    will ye give judgment wrong?”