No biblical command compels Christians to vote. It still surprises me though how many never do. So millions of believers will once again sit out a major election for whatever reason. I’ve already addressed the question “Does God care how I vote”. But now I’d like to address the importance of voting itself. It’s not something we HAVE to do; it’s what we GET to do!
To keep things in perspective, we have to understand that our first allegiance is to the King of kings & His kingdom. “Christ is King” should never be a partisan political slogan—it’s a spiritual, universal reality. Jesus is Lord over ALL of life. He cannot be overruled, impeached, voted out, or overthrown! Though he never spoke about political elections, Jesus spoke at length about the kingdom of God—it’s where God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven through Jesus’ reign & rule. We’re citizens of a heavenly kingdom—in the world, but not of it (Phil. 3:20, John 17:15-16). This kingdom is both present now & will be fully consummated at Christ’s return. Until then, we’re called to seek first His kingdom & righteousness (Matt. 6:33). As the Church practices His righteousness, we reveal His countercultural kingdom.
Jesus remains king no matter who “wins” this or any election. But by staying neutral & doing nothing, are we acting as positive influences in the world—as salt & light (Matt. 5:13-16)? Do we let non-believers have the final say about the laws & policies we & our families live under? We can choose to stay out of worldly politics, but we’re inevitably going to be affected by them regardless. We can’t live isolated lives—even many of the Amish who famously avoid politics & voting are seeing this. Elections have consequences that impact not just ourselves, but the world of our children & their children.
Do we allow our Christian rights & freedoms to be impinged upon & diminished through discrimination, restrictions, censorship, or forced compliance that causes us to say, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29)? Do we surrender to threats against the practice of our faith in schools & homeschools, nonprofits & businesses, or perhaps even our church communities? When we become lackadaisical & everything starts deteriorating in society, should we wonder why? If you refuse to take up your responsibility, it will be taken up by wicked people & used against you. If Christians sit back, we surrender.
Jesus recognized the need to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mark 12:17). Though speaking of a tax, the principle is broader. God’s kingdom & this world’s kingdoms are often in conflict. Sometimes we can’t remain neutral—we have to pick a side. If we can do something that will prevent or mitigate evils from being permitted or perpetrated, shouldn’t we? If we can help promote a peaceful society that allows for the Gospel to be proclaimed & Christian values to be able to be practiced in the public square & in the marketplace, shouldn’t we?
We recognize that we can have differing views on various policies, but we should still aim to promote biblical values. We also recognize that Christians can disagree over matters where Scripture is silent, or in trying to balance competing priorities. Which issues are more important than others? We may come across fellow believers we disagree with, but this doesn’t mean we can’t be respectful & gracious. We’re to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). We bear (put up) with one another because we still have to get along after this election is over (Col. 3:13). The election isn’t going to end the division & hostility in America—in fact, we should be prepared for a period of unrest no matter what the results. But in the church, we’re called to be different.
As the saying goes: “The kingdom will not arrive on Air Force One.” No political personality or platform will align perfectly with Scripture. Of course, we should never let ourselves be exploited or manipulated by those seeking power. We always want to be wary of aligning ourselves with fallible people or parties that contradict God’s Word, or who may later cause regret due to unforeseen future failures or betrayals. I saw a meme that said: “A vote is not a valentine; you aren’t confessing your love for the candidate. It’s a chess move for the world you want to live in.”
Keep politics in perspective. Recognize its limitations. Human systems are flawed & always fail. They’re run by imperfect (even corrupt) people. God has a higher eternal agenda. Our concern is to bring God’s Kingdom to earth by calling people to faith & repentance. But if we can also do something to better see God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven, why would we forego that opportunity?
Vote or don’t vote. It’s not something you HAVE to do—you GET to. I’d recommend you don’t let it go to waste, & vote in a way that honors our King.
P.S. I already voted this week by dropping my absentee ballot in the city hall drop box. You can deliver yours in person now too, & not have to wait in line or worry about unforeseen circumstances on Election Day, Nov. 5. You can also vote in-person early starting tomorrow (Oct. 26). Find your early voting location here. It may be different from where you would normally vote on election day.