Does a christian have a duty to vote? If we don't vote are we sinning?
When voting season rolls around, many pastors will teach that we should vote. That it's our duty to do so and if we don't, we've missed an opportunity to make positive changes in society.
The general concensus among christians is that we should vote... after all... our vote counts... right?
This is not that view a believer should take when making a decision on whether to vote or not.
Many christians feel they can make a stand for Christ by voting but don't realise they can nake the same stand by not voting.
You see, the christian should be concerned about the character of the person running for office.
The christian should be concerned about whether or not the person will uphold ongodly principles.
And lastly, the one who should get the christian vote should be the one who doesn't openly go against the bible.
The problem christians have today is that they don't consider none of those things.
The main concern is never biblical but usually financial or even social.
The excuse usually given is that since this isn't a vote for the church, we shouldn't apply biblical standards to the voting.
This contradicts the bible as we're told these things:
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Psalms 119:105
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Psalms 119:133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Scriptures tell us that we are to put God first before everything we do. Even in casting a vote we are to heed the word of God.
But many christians reject God's word when it comes to voting.
They play the hypocrite because these same people wouldn't work for Playboy. And if you asked them why, they'd give you a biblical reason.
By pushing God and His wisdom aside, we do the very thing we're told not to do.... we lean on our own understanding.
And in so doing, the solution we come up with is that we vote for the lesser of two evils.
So, if all of our options are ungodly, we seek to vote in that which is less ungodly.
This might sound like a good option to many but it's not biblical.
2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
Because we are christians... children of God... our standard shouldn't be that which is less ungodly... it should be no ungodliness period.
This is not to say they we only vote for someone if they're perfect, but that the person we vote with is primarily concerned about godliness... and there are very few people in politics who are.
Often times, you can't even count on those who name the name of Christ to be concerned with godliness as they more often than not publicly declare that they will not govern according to the bible (i.e. God's righteous), but instead, will separate their faith from the decisions they make (which is actually detrimental to the spiritual growth of a believer).
So then, with both believing and non-believing politicians not being concerned about godliness what are we to do?
I don't know about you, but as for me and my house, we serve the Lord.
So if there are only two options, the first everything is good except they want ti legalise gay marriage and the other claims to be a christian but will not make decisions based on their faith, it is my biblical duty to not vote for either one. I should not side with those who go against God.
Now, does voting for someone mean you agree with all their policies? of course not.
The issue is that you side with someone who wants to put in ungodly policies period.
You actively choose people who are happy to put governmental policies that undermine the authority of God.
What a lot of believers do is aftee voting the politician into office, they then lobby and rally and protest in an attempt to get the politician to change the unbiblical stance that was part of their campaign and got them voted into the office.
Out of all the political voices that exist, the christian one seems almost non-existent.
There is no christian vote. Democrat/Labour and Republican/Conservative affiliations have superceded our christian identity.
When a christian votes, it should be done with biblical precepts in mind. All hose whom the believer recommends should rule should be people of a godly character.
And if there isn't any such person to vote for, then the believer shouldn't vote.
After all, the believer shouldn't be putting their trust in the person that is voted into the position but the omnipotent God.
And if the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God, why does the believer think that the ungodly people they vote for will be beneficial when those people don't fear God?
Let's strive to be a people who will put the Lord God first in everything we do.. including voting.
Let's strive to be a people who show our allegiance to our God by not backing those who are opposed to the Lord God and His ways.
