This Thursday the UK will make what some have called the
greatest decision in a generation.
To quote the (slightly altered) words of The Clash's song: 'Should we stay or should we go?' Should the UK remain part of the
European Union or should we do a Brexit?
From what I've read in the blogosphere over the last few
months Christians are pretty evenly split over the issue. From what the
pollsters tell us there are also a significant number of people who remain
undecided and these people will probably decide the outcome. Maybe you are one
of those and you are a Christian. This post is for you. It's also for you if
you've decided how you're going to vote or have already sent in your postal
vote. That's because the purpose of this post is to try to help you vote in a
God-honouring way.
There are good arguments for both leaving and remaining in
the EU. There are also bad reasons for both positions. Personally, it has felt
that the media and politicians have focused far too much on the bad reasons
over the last few weeks. But as a disciple of Jesus I want to make my decision
on the basis of righteous, just, truthful, loving, wise, gospel-centred
reasons. I don't want to be caught up in reasoning that is either bigoted on
the one hand or naive on the other. While I am convinced a Christian can vote
either way in good conscience, I am also convinced a Christian can vote either
way for bad reasons.
As I have considered where I will put my cross on
Thursday, I've tried to think in a
Biblical way. What follows are some thoughts about how I intend to vote. (But no, I'm not going to tell you where I intend to put my cross!)
With OTHERS in mind
As a follower of Jesus I am called to put the interests of
others before my own. Therefore I should not make any decision - whether big,
small, private or public - on the basis of what I believe will be best for me
or my family alone. I am called to have a big heart and a perspective that is
others-centred not self-centred.
The Apostle Paul appealed to the Philippians to imitate the
attitude of Jesus who put the needs of others before his own.
'Do nothing out of
selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests
of the others.' (Philippians 2:3-4)
Therefore, however I vote, I must do so with others in mind.
With the GOSPEL in
mind
As a follower of Jesus I must remember that my allegiance is
primarily to Jesus and his Kingdom not to any one nation or collection of
nations. I am a citizen of God's multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-national
kingdom first and foremost (Phil 3:20) and my primary loyalty must be with the
'chosen people' and 'holy nation' he has called me to belong to (1 Peter 2:9).
My primary identity is not racial but spiritual: I am a disciple of Jesus
before I am a Brit or a Europhile.
The question that should therefore trump all others for me
is 'what will be best outcome for the good news about Jesus?'
What outcome will best safeguard our freedom to preach the
gospel in the future? What result will best promote the spread of the gospel?
What decision will make evangelism and mission in the UK and in the EU easier?
So much of the debate so far has revolved around issues such
as economics and immigration. But as a follower of Jesus I am called to be
concerned about one manifesto issue above all others: the gospel and the souls
of countless lost men and women who need to hear about Jesus. This is not to say
that these others issues aren't important. But the gospel comes first.
Therefore however I vote, I must do so with the gospel in
mind.
With GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY
in mind
On Friday 24th June the UK will have decided one way or the
other. A significant proportion of the country won't get their way. What
happens if I am one of those?
As a follower of Jesus, if the country decides to vote the opposite way to the way I
voted I am called to be a person of faith. God knew the outcome of the
referendum even before it was called. The result will not take him by surprise
and it will be part of his pre-ordained, wise, gloriously all-encompassing plan
for the UK, the EU and the world.
Ephesians 1:11 says God 'works
out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will'
Proverbs 19:21 says: 'Many
are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails.'
So whatever the outcome, I am called to demonstrate trust in
God. I will have no grounds for exhibiting despair, pessimism or hopelessness
about the future. I know who is in charge of history and I know he is good and
faithful. I know this because he took the worst decision ever made - the
crucifixion of his Son - and wove it into his plan for the world.
Therefore however I vote, I must do so with God's
sovereignty in mind.
Maybe you've made up your mind which way you will vote on
Thursday. Maybe you've not yet decided. If you're a follower of Jesus you can
be sure of one thing come Friday morning: God's faithfulness will not have
altered one jot.
'Because of the Lord's
great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new
every morning; great is your faithfulness.'
(Lamentations 3:22-23)
Whichever way you vote, make sure you can justify your
decision in the light of points 1 and 2. And whatever the outcome, make sure
you bear in mind point 3.
Above all seek to vote in a God-honouring way: with others,
the gospel and his sovereignty in mind.
