Four Reasons Every Christian Should Vote
by Paul Tautges | October 18, 2020 11:20 am
I’m thankful for my father and mother who set an example of faithful citizenship. From my earliest days, I remember Mom and Dad going to the local town hall to vote. Back then I didn’t understand what voting was and why it was so important to them. Additionally, for several years, after my conversion, I took a very careless approach to voting. But, now, as a Christian father and grandfather, I understand its importance and want to influence government for the sake of our present and future generations. So I take my responsibility seriously and am convinced that every Christian should view their voting privilege as a stewardship from God for which, like all other kinds of stewardship, we will one day give an account. Therefore, let me give you four reasons you should vote.
You should vote in order to promote righteousness and curb sin.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34). By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down (Proverbs 11:11). The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it (Proverbs 29:4). You should never simply be a party voter. Instead you should research, think biblically, and make your choices based on the issues that matter most to God—truth, righteousness, and life. As far as I can see from Scripture, life is the most fundamental human right that should be protected by law (Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25). Therefore, a candidate who supports the murder of an unborn person (which has been overwhelmingly proven by medical science), and aims to use his or her position to expand it, is not worthy of my vote, regardless of how good or helpful his or her other positions may be. This does not mean that anyone simply gets my vote because they say they are pro-life, but it does mean that my conscience won’t allow me to vote for someone who is determined to use the power of their influence to make legalized murder more accessible. Voting provides an opportunity for believers in Christ to make a difference for righteousness sake. When wicked politicians reign, the people will groan (Proverbs 29:2), but let the negligent voter remain silent.
You should vote because the end results are in God’s sovereign hands.
Daniel, the prophet, boasted of God, it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding (Daniel 2:21). Solomon gave us this truth: the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33). Some Christians fall prey to fatalism by falsely believing God will raise and lower governing rulers with or without their vote. Therefore, why bother? It’s true that God does not need us, in order to accomplish His will, but the fact remains that He not only ordains the end, but also the means to that end. Therefore, if God has granted us the privilege of being part of the process of choosing our rulers, and His Word tells us His ways are sovereign, might He not use His people to bring about His will? As citizens of heaven our confidence is in God, not government (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, don’t just vote. Vote and pray and leave the results to God. He alone can be fully trusted.
You should vote as a means to honoring God’s servants.
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God…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 (Romans 13:1, 6-7). Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). Our obligation toward governing authorities is clear. We must honor their position as public servants of God, even when we have a hard time respecting them as a person. One simple way to do that is to take time to prayerfully vote with intelligence.
You should vote in order to be salt and light in a sin-spoiled and dark world.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house (Matthew 5:13-15). You should vote because it’s an opportunity to influence earth for heaven’s sake. Don’t throw away an opportunity to be salty by hiding your lamp from the voting booth. Vote and pray, for it is one more way to be a heavenly citizen on earth. Hope to see you at the polls!
[Originally posted November 3, 2015]
RELATED POST: Ten Reasons a Christian Should Protect Life and Oppose Abortion[1]
Related
Endnotes:- Ten Reasons a Christian Should Protect Life and Oppose Abortion: https://counselingoneanother.com/2019/01/20/ten-reasons-a-christian-should-protect-life-and-oppose-abortion/
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2020/10/18/4-reasons-you-should-vote-today/
Four Reasons Every Christian Should Vote
by Paul Tautges | October 18, 2020 11:20 am
I’m thankful for my father and mother who set an example of faithful citizenship. From my earliest days, I remember Mom and Dad going to the local town hall to vote. Back then I didn’t understand what voting was and why it was so important to them. Additionally, for several years, after my conversion, I took a very careless approach to voting. But, now, as a Christian father and grandfather, I understand its importance and want to influence government for the sake of our present and future generations. So I take my responsibility seriously and am convinced that every Christian should view their voting privilege as a stewardship from God for which, like all other kinds of stewardship, we will one day give an account. Therefore, let me give you four reasons you should vote.
You should vote in order to promote righteousness and curb sin.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people (Proverbs 14:34). By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down (Proverbs 11:11). The king gives stability to the land by justice, but a man who takes bribes overthrows it (Proverbs 29:4). You should never simply be a party voter. Instead you should research, think biblically, and make your choices based on the issues that matter most to God—truth, righteousness, and life. As far as I can see from Scripture, life is the most fundamental human right that should be protected by law (Exodus 20:13; 21:22-25). Therefore, a candidate who supports the murder of an unborn person (which has been overwhelmingly proven by medical science), and aims to use his or her position to expand it, is not worthy of my vote, regardless of how good or helpful his or her other positions may be. This does not mean that anyone simply gets my vote because they say they are pro-life, but it does mean that my conscience won’t allow me to vote for someone who is determined to use the power of their influence to make legalized murder more accessible. Voting provides an opportunity for believers in Christ to make a difference for righteousness sake. When wicked politicians reign, the people will groan (Proverbs 29:2), but let the negligent voter remain silent.
You should vote because the end results are in God’s sovereign hands.
Daniel, the prophet, boasted of God, it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men, and knowledge to men of understanding (Daniel 2:21). Solomon gave us this truth: the lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD (Proverbs 16:33). Some Christians fall prey to fatalism by falsely believing God will raise and lower governing rulers with or without their vote. Therefore, why bother? It’s true that God does not need us, in order to accomplish His will, but the fact remains that He not only ordains the end, but also the means to that end. Therefore, if God has granted us the privilege of being part of the process of choosing our rulers, and His Word tells us His ways are sovereign, might He not use His people to bring about His will? As citizens of heaven our confidence is in God, not government (Philippians 3:20). Therefore, don’t just vote. Vote and pray and leave the results to God. He alone can be fully trusted.
You should vote as a means to honoring God’s servants.
Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God…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 (Romans 13:1, 6-7). Honor all men; love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king (1 Peter 2:17). Our obligation toward governing authorities is clear. We must honor their position as public servants of God, even when we have a hard time respecting them as a person. One simple way to do that is to take time to prayerfully vote with intelligence.
You should vote in order to be salt and light in a sin-spoiled and dark world.
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house (Matthew 5:13-15). You should vote because it’s an opportunity to influence earth for heaven’s sake. Don’t throw away an opportunity to be salty by hiding your lamp from the voting booth. Vote and pray, for it is one more way to be a heavenly citizen on earth. Hope to see you at the polls!
[Originally posted November 3, 2015]
RELATED POST: Ten Reasons a Christian Should Protect Life and Oppose Abortion[1]
Related
Source URL: https://counselingoneanother.com/2020/10/18/4-reasons-you-should-vote-today/