Template talk:Nicolaitan
Should or can people run for political office without committing the error of Balaam?
First, you should realize there are almost no "freemen" because we were all again entangled in the elements of the world. Most people who I have seen who think they have come out at this time are merely bad or rebellious servants of the system their parents sold them into. 2 Peter 2:10 speaks of those who are "Presumptuous [are they], selfwilled". Presumptuous is from the Greek word "tolmetes" which means "a daring man. I have seen very daring men challenge the system but not always seeking to use their talents to build or edify the Kingdom.
I have seen them for years neglecting righteousness in exchange for self-righteousness - neglecting family and neighbor and almost never gathering in tens or doing as Christ commanded.
Even those who come out actually answering the call of Christ to be His Church at this time are only "Bondservants of Christ", not freemen. Second, God hates the "the deeds of the Nicolaitans".
What are the deeds of the Nicolaitans?
To "run for office" does not necessarily mean you are performing those deeds referenced concerning the Nicolaitan and Balaam.
Balaam misused his gifts and his relationship with God for personal gain. I know of people who feel led by God to run for office and will actually suffer a financial loss to do so. They are making that sacrifice to protect the people from the present "heavy-handed socialism" and have the desire prevent the abuse of an exercising authority already there.
Many people who are voting are doing so in self-defense. There will come temptations for those who do these things but these are not the deeds of the Nicolaitans who desire the personal gain of benefits at the expense of their neighbor.
Is the question are they working in the system of the world for personal gain or to actually serve? The answer may be found in asking the question, are the people neglecting to gather and sacrifice in the pattern commanded by Christ while they run for office or seek to lift the burdens from their neighbor? God is the judge.