In or out, here are four “avoids” for referendum day

Today the UK votes in a referendum on whether to remain a member of the European Union, or to leave. In this post TGBC’s Editorial Director Carl Laferton, who is based in our UK office, offers his views…

So you’re reading this on referendum day—decision day. And so as I write this blog the day before today (if that makes sense), and having given no steer on social media as to my intentions, it’s now time to nail my colors to the mast.

I’m undecided.

Being uncertain has been a strange experience for me. I’ve never been an undecided voter before. But in many ways it’s been a great experience for me. I’ve thought more carefully. I’ve discussed more gently. I’ve listened more keenly. And I’ve prayed more humbly. Maybe I should be undecided a bit more.

Being uncertain about this has also made me much more grateful for what I am certain about. I am certain that history is in God’s hands. I am certain that history is headed for a glorious day of independence (no, not today if we vote Leave) and security (no, not today if we vote Remain). I am certain that God’s purposes cannot be thwarted by a vote that goes the other way to the way I vote (whatever that way may be). Not one of his people will be lost… not one fewer church will be planted… not one of his promises will fail.

I’m certain of that, because whereas both Remain and Leave cannot be sure of the future (though frustratingly in this debate, neither seems capable of just admitting that), the God who I worship can be, because he wrote each page of it. I have a resurrection to prove it, and that’s far better than an economic forecast or immigration statistic.

Whether you’re leave or remain, please avoid…

So, with all my uncertainty in my mind, here’s what I’d love to see today from Christians. Given that the campaigns of both sides have been generally and irritatingly negative, I’m going to give a list of “Avoids”, for both Remainers and Leavers, and indeed for Undecideds:

1. Let’s avoid thinking that this referendum matters more than it does

Speaking about 1 Peter 2 v 13-14 in the context of the upcoming US election, Juan Sanchez recently wrote some lines that just as well apply to our referendum: “Let's not deceive ourselves into thinking that if we just get the right candidate in office, we can have ‘heaven on earth’—or that the ‘wrong’ candidate will bring about the opposite. There’s only one new heavens and earth, and there's only one heavenly King. His rule isn’t subject to a majority vote. We worship him alone; we hope in him alone."

If your side doesn’t win today, it really isn’t the end of the world. Seriously. The date for that is fixed, and the outcome of that is certain—and leaving or remaining doesn’t change it.

2. Let’s avoid thinking our way is the godly way

After visiting the temple to pray, the Pharisee and the tax collector went to vote in the referendum. The Pharisee thanked God he was not like other people, who voted the wrong way…

The EU question is a nuanced issue, where every good argument has a good counter-argument, and most arguments are based to some extent on hypotheticals. God’s word does not tell us how to vote on this. So thoughtful, prayerful, godlier, wiser Christians will vote differently to me (whichever way I vote)—and to you. And God will not exalt those who exalt themselves above others. Check yourself for self-righteous pride.

3. Let’s avoid seeming divided when we must be united

I’m so grateful to those whose Facebook feeds and comments on the referendum have been measured, generous and nuanced. I’m so saddened by Christians whose feeds and comments have been one-sided, smug and judgmental. If you vote Leave and another Christian in your church votes Remain, you will still be united in Christ. You still need to be able to take the Lord’s Supper together. You will still spend eternity together. You are still family. Whatever else happens, let the world know by what we say and how we say it that Christians may disagree on how to vote, but we are not divided by a mere referendum. Better to say nothing publicly than sound divisive publicly.

4. Let’s avoid talking about Europe more than Christ

Imagine if every British Christian’s conversation and every social media feed talked about the wonder of the gospel more than the outcome of the referendum on Friday. That could change the world far more than Remaining or Leaving. So let’s do it. Let’s risk a bit of rejection or unpopularity; let’s all talk more about our Redeemer than the result.

I’ve decided

By the time you read this, I’ll have voted. And, if you’re reading this after 3pm, I’ll have sat in a thanksgiving service for a dear brother and colleague, Nigel Sewell, who went to live with his Lord 12 days ago. I’m grateful that Nigel’s thanksgiving is on referendum day, for it will remind me what ultimately matters and what does not; and what I know for certain when there is much that I don’t.

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11 v 25-26)

Yes, I do. On that, I am decided.

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