World Magazine Blog reports a showdown on prime time TV which seems to have been about who Jesus would vote for in an election. I think with all the energy that has gone into answering the question What Would Jesus Vote?, we run the risk of forgetting a really crucial point.

Jesus has already voted. He knows, in fact he DETERMINED who the next president of the USA will be. Part of a belief in a sovereign God is that he is really in charge of everything. Thus, if Kerry gets in, it will not be as some from the Christian Right would no doubt feel "because Satan won this one"!

Romans 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

So you see, Jesus has already in the past 'voted' for an anti-abortion candidate, and at times for a pro-abortion candidate. Is he confused? Is he a floating voter? Has he defected more times than any other voter?

Even in election year, it is to my mind vital that a Christian should have a degree of restraint about partisanship. You see, it is up to God to raise up and remove our leaders. That candidate you are bad-mouthing might be God's choice to run your country. You better mind that you don't resist him wrongly.

Now of course, such a teaching has been misapplied and abused. It is entirely right for us to do our part in removing an ungodly leader, believing we are part of God's work in doing so. But, we must do so with a note of caution, and a recognition that God may actually want the leader to remain in office or to be appointed.

Why should God be happy with even an evil man being in charge? Because then his glory is revealed in judgement and in his ability to restrain such an evil man and turn even him around for good. (Ro 8:28) Because actually God is in charge even of the rulers of man (Ps 2)

Often the nations used to punish Israel for their rejection of God in biblical times were less godly than Israel was. God always takes the long view and is willing to allow what seems like illogical choices of leader.

Soemtimes a leader is put in place as punishment for his own nation. As always God is a God both of judgement and mercy. At this time I pray that his choice of your next leader will reflect more of the latter for the USA and for all the nations of the world who will also be affected by that choice.