11.3.24 Willisburg Bulletin
As American citizens, we have a right and a duty to vote! Many Christians have come to the conclusion that because we serve the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, we should not vote as it is showing loyalty to an earthly person or they have been deceived into thinking they shouldn’t be involved in politics or sometimes they fall into the trap of “my vote doesn’t really matter.” There are a few things Christians should consider when it comes to voting. First, the common saying “voting for the lesser of two evils” has a root in a prideful attitude. I think the divisions have stimulated this idea. However, we must remember all candidates are humans just like us and we are not any better than they. It’s also important to think about why you are classifying them as “evil,” what is it that makes you say this person running for office is a lesser of evil? We need to be careful what we pin on someone.
Additionally, remember that is it a privilege to have a voice on who we believe should lead our country. Not all countries are a democracy & even some countries that do vote only allow men or one specific party have a say. Not everyone even in America has the opportunity to vote. Think about the elderly that can’t get out to vote, or the ones in the hospitals that have encountered various issues and are not able to vote, even if they wanted to. It’s a special right as Americans and even as Christians that we are blessed to partake of.
Finally, it is imperative that Christians take advantage of the blessing by interacting with our government by way of voting. There are various biblical examples of Christians dealing with government or even serving as part of the governing authority. In Acts 24:24-25, Paul reasoned with the governor. In Matthew 14:3-4, Christians confronted the King about his situation in his wrongful marriage and in 2 Samuel 12:7-10, Nathan boldly talked to David, the king. So as Christians, we need to take the stand and talk to our governing authorities. We probably won’t personally talk to the President; however, our vote is our voice and it shows our support.
Christians are to use our rights allowed by gov’t to our advantage. Paul took a stance when the officials tried to tramp his rights as a Roman citizen (Acts 16:35-39). In Acts 22, Paul used his citizenship to stop them from flogging and in Acts 25, he appealed to Caesar. We ought to use our rights as American citizens to benefit us in a way we can glorify God.
Another biblical reason we interact with our government is because they ask us to. The government seeks our opinion and by voting we are submitting to them as they request (1 Pet 2:13-17).
Let’s also not forget that prayer is a major component in how we interaction with our gov’t and our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) as we are called to pray for them by God. We also must learn to accept any answer He provides, knowing He will take care of us, whether it’s what we asked for or not (Phil 4:6-7). Jesus (knowing God’s will) still asked for the cup to pass from Him, but accepted and submitted to God’s answer (Mt 26:39). And whatever the outcome in the election, we are still called to submit ourselves to the government (Rom 13:1-7), unless against Him. We can be assured that God is going to make any situation be for His good (Romans 8:28).
Our vote may be small in nature, but we are making a statement. God tells us not to be lukewarm; the church in Revelation was rebuked for being just that. In studies regarding for or against abortion, those who were indifferent were grouped in with those who were for it. Therefore, if we are silent, we are giving our vote to the wrong side biblical. So when we stand for certain moral principles, we need to vote for someone that aligns with such.
Government in the Bible was not a democracy, probably more like a monarch, so it’s hard to look to apostolic example regarding specific voting decisions today. However, we can look to the fundamental topics and moral standards they used when interacting with government to see what we must base our vote on. If we know a certain person running for office is in support of something totally against God’s will and we’re called to stand against it, why would you not vote? Choosing to not vote is choosing to be silent on evil issues that we are told to stand against boldly. Issues such as abortion, homosexuality, etc. If our vote is our voice/light (one of the ways to communicate to the gov’t), why would we keep it hidden or under a lampstand (Mt 5:13-16; Prov 14:34)?
As Christians, voting is a way to bring our light of influence into the darkened corners of culture in which Christ has called us to take the hope of the gospel. Those serving God should be trying to make an impact and if we don’t do anything, we risk our right to our voice to stand for The Truth just like the parable of the talents.
So, please, Christians please go vote this Tuesday! Your vote does matter! Use your voice on a large level for God’s glory!