We are continuing to explore the question—what function do individual church members serve in the community? Last week, we established that the first responsibility of the individual church member to the community is to his/her own family. The purpose of this responsibility is to secure the moral future of the community. Without this responsibility being observed, the moral fabric of the community will eventually erode, leaving void of a moral compass.

The next responsibility of the individual church member to the community is to uphold God’s moral standard when electing government officials. How can we expect to remain a country governed by morally correct laws if the government officials elected to office do not believe in such laws? “And when the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge, for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed them and harassed them” (Judges 2:18).

When the Lord raised up a judge, He would be moved to help the Israelites because their leadership was good; thus, they would be more apt to be obedient to God because of proper leadership. It is easier as a country to be obedient to God when the leadership is leading in the right direction but when that leadership changes and becomes corrupt, then it becomes easier as a country to abandon God. “And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they reverted and behaved more corruptly than their fathers, by following other gods, to serve them and bow down to them. They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way” (Judges 2:19).

When the good judge died, perverse leaders would take power, and Israel reverted to their evil ways and started following false gods. Today, if an elected official believes abortion is permissible, then they will not fight to abolish what they do not believe is wrong. This is the same as when the good judge died, then the new leadership no longer fought against false gods being served and thus, it became permissible to serve false gods. This caused God to be angry with Israel and punish them for their disobedience. “Then the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He said, ‘Because this nation has transgressed My covenant which I commanded their fathers, and has not heeded My voice, I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them or not’” (Judges 2:20-22). When Israel refused to “reelect” proper leadership after the death of a judge that was raised up by God, He then punished Israel with leadership that was not of their own choice by placing them in bondage.

God still appoints our leadership today! “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exit are appointed by God” (Rom. 13:1). When we use our ability to vote and elect offi cials who believe in morally objectionable principles, could God be punishing us with bondage the same as Israel when they are elected? Is it permissible to vote for someone who believes in abortion, homosexuality, or other immoral issues? If so, how can we expect to remain a country governed by moral laws? Will God not be as angry with us as He was with Israel for the same sin?

Just something to consider.