Voting
As we near the presidential election, we must ask ourselves, as Christians, how should we cast our vote in elections? What are we to look at and in whom should we put our confidence? In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to make these decisions. However, through scripture, we can determine basic principles which can guide our decisions.
Unfortunately, most people overall choose vain reasons for who they are supporting. It may come down to looks, how one speaks, if they are the same race or gender or other unimportant reasons. When people vote in this manner, they many times end up casting their vote for someone who supports policies which are contrary to their values. However, this is not new and we have a biblical example where we see this type of persuasion.
Judges 9:1-4 (NASB)
And Abimelech the son of Jerusbbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives, and spoke to them and to the whole clan of the household of his mother’s father, saying,
“Speak, now, in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or that one man rule over you?’ Also, remember that I am your bone and your flesh.”
And his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the hearing of all the leaders of Shechem; and they were inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our relative.”
They gave him seventy pieces of silver from the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, and they followed him.
We read that Abimelech did not ask for support based upon the values and vision he had, but rather appealed to familiarity and shared background. We see this still today, politicians often do not emphasis policies and agenda’s but appeal to us supporting them because they are similar to us; they are our brothers and sisters and so they understand us.
What they are doing when they take the focus off their agenda and try and get our vote based upon being like us, is deception. They realize if we knew what they truly stood for in their agenda, we would never vote for them. This is why we need to ensure we look at the platform and agenda promoted and then compare those to our biblical values.
Is government ordained of God?
Biblically speaking, God ordained government as we see in the following verses:
Romans 13:1-7 (NASB)
Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
For rulers are not a cause of fear for [d]good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The government, according to the scriptures, is to ensure there is law and order among the people. Modern government has gone beyond their biblical purpose when it comes to entitlements and other types of spending. In fact, we have even seen in recent years some government leaders criticizing what God has ordained for their purpose in wanting to remove laws so that behavior is no longer punished and deemphasis enforcing the law.
As Christians, we know what God designated government to do, we can look at the individuals view on law and order, our military, police and other emergency entities for our safety. In doing this, we are following a biblical guideline in choosing for whom we should vote.
We find an example in the Bible when Israel desired a King to be like other countries. This was not God’s original intention for the nation of Israel, but God told the prophet Samuel to anoint a King to which Saul became the first.
During King Saul’s reign he was told to go to the city of Amalek and destroy it. They were not to spare anything. Rather than destroy everything, King Saul kept King Agag alive, and they kept the best of the sheep, oxen and other animals because he wanted to appease the people. (He didn’t punish the wrong doer and was giving the people material things they wanted).
This caused God to repent for having set up Saul to be King over Israel. Samuel the prophet goes to King Saul and King Saul states he did all that God commanded. However, Samuel corrects his false speaking and states the following:
I Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of divination,
And insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
He has also rejected you from being king.”
As King Saul was disobedient to the Word of God, he was then rejected from being the king of Israel.
Now, in recent years, we have not had many run for office in which they have a sincere relationship with our God. This can make it more difficult to decide for whom to vote, but we can still find who the better alternative is when it comes to looking at their desire for Godly principles.
In researching a candidate’s views on policies, we should look at who supports more of our Christian values. What is their view on the sanctity of life, Biblical marriage, religious liberty, justice and compassion?
Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice,
But when a wicked man rules, people groan.
In summary, we want to support candidates who will uphold our values as followers of Jesus Christ. In doing this, we can elect officials whose agendas support our values in Christ. If we follow these guidelines, we will not be voting based upon vain reasons, but rather biblical principles
