We Republicans sometimes ask ourselves the question, “What is the Republican Party’s role in the shaping of America?”  And sometimes as individuals we ask, “What is my part in the Republican Party?”  These are two legitimate questions that should be asked.  But more often than not we are hard pressed to materialize a focused answer.  That’s because there is a more fundamental question that must be asked.   The question is: “What is God’s part in the Republican Party?” 

         Some people would say that God is only interested in our trusting Him in regards to eternity.  But God says otherwise!  God says, “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.” (Proverb 3:6)  Leaving God out of any part of our life experience will bring limitation.  To leave God out of the Republican Party will be to limit its vision and potential as a force for good.

         God expects His people to be leaders in the full spectrum of human affairs, and especially in government.  The reason I say especially in government is two-fold; the nature of man and the nature of government.  Adam’s original sin was the placing of his will over God’s will.  And government lends itself more than any other human endeavor to the placing of our will above that of our fellow man. Hence one can become as much as is possible on this earth to being like God by exercising ones will over others through government.  The truth that power corrupts and that total power totally corrupts has its origin in the fallen nature of man. 

         A person who has come to a place of surrender to direction from God; someone who is committed to God’s interests, and not his own, would be a better elected official in representing others than someone who is committed to self.   In the early days of our nation we had many selfless men, one of whom was George Washington.

        An effective political leader must be more than a Christian. He must, as the Bible says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. “(II Timothy 2:15)    God is saying that a leader must be able to use the Bible and come to a correct understanding regarding God’s wisdom in a particular matter.  Many claim to be Christian but few are prepared to accurately apply God’s wisdom.  This is especially true in regards to politics.  For example, many Christian Politicians while in office have promoted policies leading to BIG Centralized Government, while God’s emphasis is on small decentralized government, with justice being the number one priority.  God says:  “You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.  You shall not distort justice; you shall not be partial, and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the word of the righteous.  Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, that you may live and possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Deut 16:18-20)  

God’s small decentralized style of government allows for more freedom than any other.   To protect this unprecedented freedom from its potential for abuse, God instituted the death penalty for those who would by willful disobedience destroy it; however, to make the death penalty an effective deterrent God says it must be carried out swiftly.  And if a person gives false witness in an attempt pervert justice God said, “If the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother.  Thus you shall purge the evil among you.”  We see that God has given us a complete package for deterring crime and establishing justice.    But in America, many Christian Politicians have voted against the death penalty and its swift implementation.  There is a huge difference in the attitude of a person facing prison and one facing death, and there is a huge difference in the attitude of those who might commit a crime because there is nothing more precious to a person than life.  

So we see that in politics, just being a Christian does not qualify a person for service as a leader.  An effective political leader must understand the direction God would lead America.   This discussion amounts to no more than standing in the rain until the Republican Party has made a decision as to whether or not they want God’s direction for the party and ultimately the nation.  It’s obvious that the social progressives of the Democratic Party have relegated God to governing Heaven while they desire to govern America.  Hence, we have gigantic centralized government, gay rights, same sex marriage, abortion on demand, and an educational system that teaches humanism rather than Christianity.  

But what about the Republican Party?  Are they against God  (somewhat less than the progressives in the Democratic Party), or are they neutral towards God?  Or are they for God’s leadership?  If the choice is for God’s leadership, then we can expect God to bless our party’s efforts and to bless America.  That choice will force us to make some changes in our direction.  Change number one is, we must know about a candidate’s personal life.  God gives us instructions for choosing Bishops and Deacons; and we can deduce from this, a political leader should meet the same high standards.   Many people today suggest that the candidate’s private life is unrelated to their public life.  The candidate’s character is able to be seen best in one’s private life.   That is the real you!   Anyone can build a facade for public view.   Change number two is that the people chosen for public office must be held to the principle that they will not vote or act against God’s revealed will for political gain.                                                                                                  

“The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep his commandments, because this applies to every person.  For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or bad.”   (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)