Voting and Christianity: What God Says
The Bible is the Christian’s compass when there is need for direction or decisions about choices in life. God is clear in His values on the sanctity of life, government exercising judgment over those who do evil, obeying the rule of law, and selecting leaders (kings) who are not in direct conflict with God’s moral standard.
The United States is one of a few countries who also provide rights to its citizens. Those rights allow Christians to take a more active role in government than what was allowed during Bible times. Even Paul, when facing an unfair judge and trial that could cost him his life, exercised his right as a Roman citizen to make his appeal to Caesar. He did not go against his other teachings about being in ‘subjection to the governing authorities for there is no authority except from God (Romans 13:1). Citizens in general, and Christians specifically, should not take those rights for granted because those rights when exercised allow for choices and freedoms that others in other countries do not have.
Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s” (Matthew 22:21). In the United States, that not only applies to paying taxes to fund God-appointed government but includes the right to exercise the rights that “Caesar” gives its citizens.
As it relates to voting, then, is it a sin for a Christian to not vote? As a citizen of the United States, yes! Every citizen has the right and duty to vote and to be used in the selection of the country’s leaders. For a Christian to not exercise that right and ignore or not care about what type of person is elected to rule, that will lead to the ungodly taking control. In the Old Testament, the nation of Israel wanted a king so they could be like all the other nations. Eventually, God gave them up to their wishes and Saul became king. Why Saul? It had nothing to do with him being a follower of God or being qualified for the position. He was self-absorbed and did what he wanted, regardless of God’s commands. It was all about his looks (taller than all the others, handsome) and being very wealthy (I Samuel 9:1–2) rather than his heart for God.
Today, candidates have been chosen because of looks (color of skin, gender) and their wealth, usually through ill-gotten gain. There is no intent to find a person of character or moral standing and many people are enticed to follow.
Saul proved that he was corrupt and a failure, but not before putting the nation of Israel through circumstances that could have been avoided.
A Christian in the United States has the duty to vote to elect someone who more closely follows God’s moral law. Not exercising that right allows evil to strengthen and opens the nation to God’s judgment.
The second question is, does a Christian have the right to vote his/her conscience? No! Peter states, “We must obey God rather than man…” (Acts 5:29). Christians are to be ambassadors of Christ, living their lives as dead to self and alive unto Christ (Romans 6:11–14; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:5). Christians were bought with a price (I Corinthians 6:20) and our thoughts and decisions are now to be as followers of Christ. Christians are to put off the former “old man” (Ephesians 4:22), which is corrupt, and put on the new man (Ephesians 4:24).
Christians are to strive toward good works and following God’s moral law. When a politician is seeking votes on a platform that includes the murdering of babies, the abolishment of the rule of law, totally opposed to the moral law of God, seeking after power and control rather than the good and benefit of the people he or she is to lead (such as King Saul), the Bible is clear that Christians are to obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). A true Christian is to remove his or her personal desires that are sin-related and put to death and instead seek to please God and His desires. A true Christian cannot choose to vote for a corrupt, depraved candidate when there is an option to cast a vote for someone more aligned with God’s moral law.
Do not mistake what I am saying. No man is perfect and it is not a Christian’s responsibility to withhold a vote or cast a vote based on someone being perfect. In Romans 13 and I Peter 2:13–14), the purpose of government is to punish evildoers and reward and protect those who do good. To vote for someone who publicly is anti-Christ or to not vote for a person who aligns more with the moral law of God is to commit sin — to know to do right and not do it is sin (James 4:17).
The conclusion is this: as a citizen of the United States, every citizen has been given the right, the duty to vote for his/her elected leaders. As a Christian in the United States, there is a duty to vote and a God-fearing conviction to cast that vote for those who more closely align with God’s moral law. A Christian who fails on either or both of these points must question within him or herself whether that person’s faith is genuine or just lip service.
This election year, not a single person running is perfect. But, there are clear differences and choices that allow Christians a clear direction on how to vote. Live your faith or deny it! Be the Christian you claim to be or change who you claim to be. Do not be a hypocrite. There is no middle ground!
