Does God Expect Christians to Vote?

This, year I have heard several Christian friends say they had no intention of voting this year. Neither candidate was a “Christian” in their eyes, and thus they felt that voting for one of them would be wrong. This way of thinking has disturbed me greatly, and I feel led to share my thoughts, however, this “political” post focuses more on Christian responsibility than specifying which presidential candidate should get your vote this year.

I recently heard a podcast by Dr. Jimmy DeYoung, Jr. (Prophecy Today), and he stated exactly what was in my heart, so I decided to share his words in this post.

He began this past weekend’s podcast with these thoughts:

“It is our contention that it is the duty and responsibility of every Christian to vote and to vote for leaders who promote Christian principles. God is most certainly in control, but that does not mean we should do nothing to further his will. We are commanded to pray for our leaders.

The evidence of sin’s grip on this world is everywhere. Much of the suffering on earth is because of godless leadership. Scripture gives Christians instructions to obey legitimate authority unless it contradicts the Lord’s commands.

As born-again believers, we ought to strive to choose leaders who will be themselves led by our creator. Candidates or proposals that violate the Bible’s command for life, family, marriage, or faith should never be supported. Christians should vote as led through prayer and study of both God’s Word and the realities of the choices on the ballots.”

Do your part. Be a responsible Christian voter. Research the candidates… their past records speak louder than any currently running ads. The media is notorious for skewing how the “news” is presented, but congressional voting records are black and white. How have they voted in the past on the issues? Were their votes aligned with Biblical values? Are they promising things that their actions have shown otherwise? As the saying goes, leopards do not change their spots. Remember, you are selecting someone to lead our nation. How has their past record been in doing so? Both presidential candidates have served in positions that influenced our nation greatly? No one issue can be the sole criteria for selecting your candidate. Be open-minded when selecting your candidate, and consider the total platform of the political party as well. Does that platform conform to your Biblical values? Don’t blindly vote for someone simply because they are a particulary political party or have one “hot” issue with which you agree. Look at the entire picture. that’s your responsibility… as an American and as a Christian.

Research the candidates and the issues, decide the best choices that align with your beliefs, then go cast your vote! JFK won the presidential election by less than 120,000 votes out of 68.8 million votes cast. George W Bush won with only 271 electoral votes (270 are needed to win.) Don’t let anyone convince you that your one vote isn’t important. That’s a lie. Not only does your vote matter, but it is our responsibility to choose wise leaders. I Samuel 12:13 reminds us, “Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.”  Additionally, Deuteronomy 1:13 states, “Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.”

Lastly, regardless of who gets elected on Tuesday, please remember to pray for those in authority over us always.  “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2

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Praying for our leaders will accomplish much more than grumbling about them ever will.