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Changing the Face of Christianity

Should Christians Vote?

by Larry Walker

Dear Larry,

With the national election coming closer, I was told by someone that I am not “godly” because I vote in national election.  Saying that the Lord is in total control and voting is unchristian.  Can you please help me to understand why I shouldn’t be voting?  Thanks – Carol

Dear Carol,

There is no reason that Christians should not vote.  Indeed, there are several reasons why Christians should vote!
The first Scripture reference that came to mind when I saw your question was Romans 13:1-2, where it states, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves …” (NIV)

So it’s a Biblical requirement that we cooperate with the laws of our government.  Moreover, 1 Peter 2:13 says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men …” (NIV) It’s not just a requirement that we cooperate with our government.  It actually pleases God!

In politics we often find hypocrites, liars, and manipulative people whose word is not reliable.  Using that to justify a decision not to participate or to withdraw altogether is faulty thinking.  Consider that all of the institutions of the world — be they governments, schools, places of business, or even churches — are run by humans.  And these humans are evil through and through.  (Ecclesiastes 7:20 NIV)  So if you were going to use that criteria to abstain from obeying or cooperating with your government, you’d also have to quit your job, stop going to church, keep your kids home from school, and never shop anywhere!

The Bible is clear that Christ-followers are to obey the laws of their government.  They are to submit to the authority of their government.  And they are to cooperate with the initiatives of their government.

The Bible is clear that Christ-followers are to obey the laws of their government.  They are to submit to the authority of their government.  And they are to cooperate with the initiatives of their government.  In fact, the only exception is when to do so would violate a specific command of God – causing us to sin.  (We can see examples of appropriate civil disobedience in Daniel 3:1-29 or Daniel 6:1-24.)

When we see government gone wrong in any way, the Christ-like response would very rarely ever be rebellion and disobedience.  Rather we can rebuke the government officials for their sin.  We can pray for the government officials.  And we can get involved in government in order to work to change things that we believe are unjust or unfair, etc.

The one thing Christians could do wrong in voting would be to vote in ignorance.  We owe it to the God that we serve to educate ourselves about the issues and the candidates, and to make informed, Spirit-led choices in the voting booth.  You read that right.  I said “Spirit-led.”  We should pray over the voting choices and ask God to give us wisdom and discernment.  We should ask God to show us what He sees on the election ballots, and ask Him to guide our thinking and our voting.

So let’s get out there and honor God with our votes!