Christians and Voting for Political Leaders

Those of us who live in countries where we can elect our political leaders must keep a few things in mind. Especially Christians. Elections are not supposed to be about personalities, speaking voices, the nicest hair, and other irrelevant things. Choices should be about who can get the job done.

White House image credit: The White House, modified at PhotoFunia

We should remember that many countries do not allow a choice. In the United States, we are in a constitutional republic and use a democratic process to select our leaders. Unfortunately, many people believe things when a politician seeking power will say things the gullible people want to hear. Christians must prayerfully consider what they are doing, as it is for the glory of God and what is best for the country.

It is distressing that some Christians are sanctimonious, judging the morality of a candidate based on what they have been told by the mainstream media. Many accusations are made, but we don't see them proven — or even credible. Has God forgiven you for your past sins (whether in the distant past or five minutes ago), and will he forgive you for what you will do in the near future? Yes. Perhaps you should allow the Holy Spirit to convict other people. 

We are not choosing a spiritual leader when we vote for a president or anyone else in authority. For that matter, the Bible instructs us to submit to those in authority and to pray for them. Paul wrote about that while in a Roman prison. Not imprisoned by a Christian government, but one run by pagans.

I have to interject something here. I am not fond of Billy Joel, but something struck me. In the song Only the Good Die Young, he asked about Virginia's mother "...never cared for me, but did she ever say a prayer for me?" When we judge someone, do we bother to pray for them? We would also do well to keep well in mind that we are voting for a platform, which is a set of policies. One party is on record for hating God and supports many things that the Bible opposes, the other wants to do away with abortion and support our freedoms. Do not "think" with your emotions or what you have been told to think by the leftist media. Take God with you in the voting booth. Remember, there is no perfect candidate (nor is there a perfect party) because all are humans who have sinned. Just like you and me.

As many Christians are considering who to vote for in the presidential voting, we should remember what the act of voting is—and what it is not. At first glance, voting appears to be the act of approving a candidate’s personal shortcomings. In other words, some think voting for a candidate is an affirmation of a candidate’s character flaws. Voting is not that kind of action. Instead, voting is the deliberate act of preferring a candidate who supports a set of policies over an alternative set of policies. To illustrate this approach, I submit two things voting is not.

I hope you will read the rest of "Two Things Presidential Voting Is Not". Since this subject is so urgent, I have some more material to present.

I’ve read quite a number of articles on whether Christians should vote, how Christians should vote, and so on. There are so many differing ideas. I come from a country (Australia) where voting is compulsory. Australia doesn’t have the type of constitutional protection America has where there is a special emphasis on free speech, freedom of religion, and free exercise of religion as written in the first amendment. I do praise the Lord for the freedoms that have been enjoyed in this great country.

When my wife and I became naturalized citizens many years ago, we were thrilled to know we could then choose to vote and contribute to who would be elected to shape what happens for those living in this nation.

Please read the rest of "The Bible-Believing Christian’s Privilege to Vote & Pray". Finally, some in-depth material can be found at "God, Creation, and Government".