Free Men Engage Government

It is one thing to say we want change. It is an entirely other thing to be wholeheartedly engaged in the pursuit of it, which requires wit, intelligence, candor, virtue, tenacity, and diligence.

Last Sunday, two days before Election Day, I sat in a new church listening to the pastor’s message.  I must admit, I struggle to focus and listen, especially when my mind is racing and the world is loaded with problems. Being still for an hour doesn’t come naturally to me.  I have always believed too many pastors are overly hesitant to get involved in the issues of our day, often to the point of displaying pure cowardice.  This pastor made sure to bring up Election Day and even gave a recommendation about a particular ballot measure but came up short mentioning anything about candidates.

As he prayed, he gave thanks that we get a say about how government operates and mentioned the efforts of many brave people throughout human history who have given their very lives in the pursuit of influencing government.  I suppose, when reading the Bible, one can go back to Moses attempting to influence the Pharaoh, if not even further back, if they are looking for examples of engagement with the government.

The thing that makes engaging government risky is that government doesn’t like to be dissuaded from its aims once it has become corrupted, bribed, or unduly influenced.  Americans have been hypnotized by the “American Dream” for so long they’ve allowed government to become tyrannical to the point of making each election come across to the public as a battle for the survival of human civilization, even though free people are free no matter whether the government honors those natural rights or not.  We would, however, most certainly choose to live at peace with a government that honors these rights and provides for the common good while not infringing on our liberties as Americans rather than live in constant animosity and turmoil with them if possible. 

The maintenance of a Republican form of government (not a reference to the modern Republican Party) requires constant diligence, which underscores exactly why Benjamin Franklin quipped, “A Republic…if you can keep it.”  It is much easier to spoon-feed yourself bits of chosen propaganda from the 10 o’clock news and scroll social media apps for content than it is to research government meeting agendas, read legislative bills, and flip through the pages of history to find examples of when fools have failed miserably in their efforts to micromanage and control society.

In this sense, I resent advocates of democracy – not in the sense that I believe suffrage shouldn’t exist, but I believe voting done by uninformed people wounds the rights of the informed.  Those of us diligent enough to pass down a culture of freedom to children (I tell mine, “with great freedom comes responsibility”) must also be diligent enough to understand the pressing issues of our day and be capable of defending them, and must put in the time to read all measures that will appear on a ballot and understand each and every local candidate’s aims.  In other words, it is irresponsible of us to only have an opinion on the top of the ticket; that makes us most likely to be pulled in the direction of quadrennial fervor and groupthink, rendering us blinded and unlikely to criticize our own side when it needs our correction the most.

Finally, once all diligence is done, free people engage government by voting.  As I write this, Arizona is still counting ballots, and its largest county, Maricopa, announced ahead of time it may need 13 days to complete the count.  That is still 9 days away.  Late reversals of recent elections in the wee hours of the morning, along with examples of incompetence (if I’m being kind) like that found in Arizona, understandably give many well-intentioned people pause and reason to doubt elections are worth their time, engagement, and research hours.

It is worth it.

In fielding this question from people, I remind them that their vote, if cast wisely and grounded in Biblical wisdom, is their petition before God that they do not consent of the evil perpetrated by government and formally stand against it and voice their desire to move in an opposite direction.

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne…

Psalm 89:14 (NLT)

God intends for governments of men to uphold his brand of justice and honor the natural rights of free people.  Anything short of that requires the people to take a stand.  While reflecting on your duty to be an engaged citizen, get a copy of The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates for those in your life who constantly have an opinion or grievance, but do little else in the way of being involved and leading others to follow suit.

If you value freedom and believe it is worth defending, then you have no choice but to courageously engage in the sphere of government. Your leadership will bring others to the front with you and make your goals achievable.