As the looming elections draw near, the power to shape the future of our localities, states, and nation lies in our hands. From city council members to senators, each elected official holds sway over the policies that govern our lives.
Yet, amidst this critical moment, many Christians remain disengaged. In this pivotal discourse, we delve into the moral complexities of voting, exploring how our choices impact not only our communities but the very fabric of our Christian values.
Join us on this journey of conscience, discernment, and prayer, as we navigate the intricate intersection of politics and faith.
People will be elected to positions of influence at local, state, and national levels. Whether it is a local city council member, a board of education member, or a senator or congressman headed for Washington D.C., they all have influence over the policies that govern our nation or locality. There will be local or state amendments on many ballots that affect policies that will govern how we live. In many cases, there is a constant incremental struggle for personal freedom vs. an ever-growing government making decisions for us at local, state, or national levels.
Many Christians seem to be disengaged at times. They see the sin rampant in society and often in candidates as well. They choose not to vote. If we, as followers of Christ, do not vote… then others who reject Him will. No matter how imperfect the candidates are, we should do our homework to understand the candidates… not just what they say (many lie) but also what their previous actions reflect. We should pray.
We must also test the values and principles they support against scripture. We must not choose someone because of the superficial diversity of their skin color or biological sex. Choose based on their values. Personal integrity matters, but so does policy, and policy will have significant implications. If someone has high personal integrity but promises to support abortion and other ungodly agendas, I do not want to vote for that person, regardless of whether or not they profess to be a Christian. I would rather vote for someone else that may be less likable but has a history of supporting policies that line up with supporting God’s word, even if that candidate is not a follower of Christ.
As an example, I have seen Christians turn against a man who had sinned (adultery) and repented (genuinely) years ago but stood for the sanctity of life (against abortion). They instead turned to a man who has not committed adultery but openly pronounced that he avidly supports abortion and promoted the homosexual agenda (encouraging them to embrace this lifestyle even at the expense of the rights of Christians rather than encouraging them to get help and repent). Which is the better candidate? Which is more consistent with God’s word? I will give you a hint… as Christians, we believe in repentance and forgiveness of sin. However what is really tough for some is that even if the first man had not repented, the policies stated by the two candidates should send a clear message anyway. You know you don’t want the policies of the man promoting abortion and other godlessness. Even if he is honest, he stands against God! At least you can hope the other man will vote for policies that support God’s word based on the voter support to which he is appealing, even if you don’t believe him to be submitted to Jesus.
Another man in a different senate race was accused of dating women too much younger than him 40 years ago (with little evidence) but had demonstrated 40 years of honorable living and openly professed his faith in God. His opponent openly supported abortion, the killing of millions of babies. How is this even a tough choice for a Christian? But it went the wrong way and another ungodly person was sent to direct the policy of our national government.
Sometimes the decisions seem tougher. A Mormon ran for president a while back, against a man who claimed to be Christian. However, the policies and beliefs that the false Christian supported were inconsistent with God’s word. The Mormon supported policies more consistent with our Christian values. Many did not vote for him because he was a Mormon. Meanwhile, they voted for someone who was not a Christian either, but he claimed to be. Many bad policies have damaged our country since and continued to normalize ungodly behavior in our nation.
In another prominent example, we have a man who has done much to support individual liberty and try to minimize government overreach to control our lives and stop us from living according to our beliefs. However, this man is perceived as rude at times and some people don’t “like” his personality. Which is better… a rude man who defends our individual liberty and free worship of Christ or someone who is “likable” and pays lip service to Christianity but stands against much of what God’s word commands? We are not electing our pastors in these elections, but rather our leaders who will set policy and influence our freedom as individuals and followers of Yeshua.
Staying home is not the right answer. If we stay home, it just means someone else will vote, someone who may be voting for an agenda to overturn Christian values and embrace godlessness. We must not hold out for a perfect candidate. They do not exist. Look for the one who will protect our freedom to worship and live the way our Creator intends. Look for the one who will say no to a blatantly sinful agenda of normalizing abortion, homosexuality, transgender, etc. In most cases today, they don’t even pretend to hide their ungodly agenda.
Please consider the following:
Do not think of your vote for a candidate as a letter proclaiming your love and complete agreement with a candidate. Rather, your vote is to be considered a chess move based on the relative policies of the competing candidates to help position our nation to be the type of place in which we want to live.
I encourage you to know your candidates, pray for your locality and our nation, and pray for guidance on how to vote and be active. Not only vote, but engage people ahead of the election to influence them also. Let us take back our country for righteousness and cast aside wickedness and depravity which are all to often being normalized.
Shalom.
Devotion by John in service to Christ
I invite you to pray with me:
Father, please open the eyes of Your followers everywhere to see clearly in regards to the way we should vote in elections to influence the culture and direction of our localities, states, and our nation. Help raise up the righteous and knock down the plans of the wicked. Lead Your people in voting based on policy centered around Your instructions and the personal freedom for us to worship You and live our lives for You without government control getting in the way. Amen.
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