I am not a political pundit. I am not like those who are glued to the TV and cannot wait to dissect every little nuance from political candidates as they debate. In fact, my favorite part of the election season is the day it is over; the day we finally can get through 5 complete minutes without some radio, TV, or internet ad full of trash-talk and big promises.
I must admit, it’s not so bad when you have a candidate you can really believe in. I remember the Ronald Reagan election season and how exciting it was to have someone who so proudly stood up for America and would not back down from his faith or his patriotism no matter WHO came against him. A man who not only stood up for our freedom, but also for the freedom of others. Who can forget: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
My, how things have changed since then. How AMERICA has changed since then. But, that was what this country was promised if it elected Barack Obama: Change. I must admit, he has definitely kept that promise.
This election is no doubt the most important one in our history. I really believe it will determine what kind of country America will become in the near future. Sadly, neither candidate would be my first choice. I wish we could have a candidate that stood for righteousness and would implement, as his platform, 2 Chronicles 7:14. But that is not the case. This election is difficult to get excited about. It is enough to make a person say, “Why bother? Why vote at all?”
So, the question comes to mind, how important should voting be for a Christian? Is it okay not to vote if there is not a clear candidate who stands for everything we believe in? What does the Bible say?
I believe it is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to vote and to vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. “But isn’t God in control, anyway?’ you ask. Sure, God is in control, but that does not mean we shouldn’t do our part to further His will. For instance, we know it is God’s will for everyone to be saved, but just because God is in control doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be actively giving the gospel to every lost person we can. We are to work with God so that He can accomplish His will through us, not in spite of us.
Some believe there is no place for a Christian politician to be involved in government, but that has never made sense to me. If God was the One Who instituted government to begin with, why would He then tell His children they could not be a part of that which He created, and created for them? That would almost be like God saying to man, “I have created an institution called marriage, but you cannot get married.”
There is nothing wrong with government, itself, as long as it is under God’s control. It is when a government begins exercising authority God has not given it, and begins passing laws which are contrary to GOD’S LAW that it becomes sinful.
So what does the Bible say about the relationship between Christians and government. Here are some things to consider when it comes to why we as believers should be interested in government and voting.
1. We are commanded to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4). The fact that God wants us praying for them indicates there is to be an interest. After all, God is interested. In fact, there is evidence in Scripture that God has not been pleased with man’s choices of leadership at times. God said in Hosea 8:4, “They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not:” We should therefore be interested in that which interests God.
2. Ungodly leadership causes people to suffer. The Bible says in Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” If ungodly leadership causes suffering, we should do our part to relieve that suffering by electing godly leaders.
3. We should put into office the candidate whose philosophy and proposals are least likely to violate the Bible’s commands for life, family, marriage, or faith. The Bible says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). Sometimes, there is no clear “Christian” choice. But as it has been said, we are not voting for our pastor, we are voting for our President. The best we can do is vote for the candidate whose platform will not hinder or hurt the free exercise of our faith and is most closely aligned with righteousness.
4. The Holy Spirit works through believers to help direct the country. The Bible teaches that one of the main ministries of the Holy Spirit working through believers is to reprove sin in this world (John 16:8). I believe one way He does that is through leading believers to vote for righteousness in the voting booth! By voting for righteousness, we help keep evil and sin at bay, if you will.
Christian, don’t take this liberty we have for granted. There may come a day when America may become like many communist countries where the people do not have a say in who their leaders are. You don’t have to agree with everything a candidate says, because like Edmund Burke said, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.”
I do not agree with everything about Mitt Romney. I would much rather vote a Fundamental Baptist Christian in as President, but that is not an option. While I may not like everything about Mitt Romney, I do believe he loves America and our religious liberties will most likely remain in tact with him in office. But if President Obama gets back into office, I believe we can say goodbye to America as we know it.
So, I plan to exercise my right to vote and by going into the voting booth, I plan to help ensure that evil does not triumph!