This Saturday, millions of Australians will head to the polls to decide which policies — and politicians — will guide our nation forward over the coming three years.
As a party, the Australian Christians have planned, publicised and prayed with the goal of seeing our candidates in office, and godly values promoted in Australia.
Now, as the outcome is decided, we hold unswervingly to the truth that God is sovereign and that He will bring about His good purposes over the weekend. And we trust that good fruit will come from our labours, and for every party and candidate seeking to promote righteousness in our nation.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Galatia, “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9).
One of the biggest challenges for faith-based parties like AC is explaining to an increasingly secular nation why righteousness matters, and why Christians should take an interest in politics.
The simple fact is that there is no such thing as a “religiously neutral” pubic square. Over the last 50 years, Christian values have been pushed to the margins of Australian society. As a result, a new set of secular values have taken their place.
Sadly, secular values have led to a harvest of unrighteousness. This includes sexual deviancy and confusion, high rates of broken families and divorce, a culture of victimhood and entitlement, and the erosion of personal and religious freedoms.
Moreover, it is not just people of faith who suffer the effects of this. Unrighteousness is a burden on the entire nation.
The book of Proverbs speaks with power and unfading relevance to this issue. According to Proverbs 29:2, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” Proverbs 4:34 declares, “Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
This is why it is not enough for Christians to sit by passively as the culture goes wayward. We have a voice that we must raise, values we must promote, and vision that our wayward culture desperately needs.
A loud minority of secularists preach that Christians can believe whatever they want, so long as we keep our beliefs out of politics. Sadly, too many people of faith believe this and act accordingly, not realising the clever trick that has been played on them. See, those loud secularists are all too eager to promote their secular beliefs and values to the culture.
At every election, and at every cultural and political fork in the road, Australia has a choice. Either our nation can sow seeds of righteousness or unrighteousness. Do we expect a secular and secularising nation to find its way towards godliness if we stay silent?
No, God has put us here for a reason. He has called us to be salt, light, and a city on a hill (Matthew 5:13-16).
Consider what former Opposition Leader Mark Latham — who is an agnostic — has said about the desperate need for the Australian church to wake up and shine the light in the political realm:
“I think the churches have gone too quiet. […] I’m not a Christian; I’m not a member of a church, but I recognise the values of the church as a civilising force in our society, and I would hope that the church would be more active instead of becoming part of a silent majority. The church is too silent on these things and needs to make a stand.”
In short, politics and beliefs—secular or otherwise—will forever be mixing. As long as Christians are members of representative democracies, we are not only permitted but should be expected to let their beliefs influence their political behaviour, just like everyone else.
So vote like the future of our country depends on it this Saturday. Promote Christian values and encourage believers to vote in line with these values in the lead-up to the weekend. And if you’re in Western Australia, be sure to vote 1 Australian Christians!
