[This is part 6 of 9 in a series answering the question who American Christians should vote for in the 2024 Presidential election]
Intro – Biden – Trump – Issues Not Addressed – Third Parties
– Biblical View – Fear – Summary – Final Summary
What is the Biblical view on voting?
I decided I should make this a separate post, because I think it’s a really important idea that many Christians in America don’t get. (and yes, this is primarily about America. In some other systems it won’t apply.)
Usually, when it comes to applying the Bible to government, Christians will jump to one or two favorite passages.
If someone I like is in government, then we go to Romans 13, and talk about how we need to submit to governing authorities and pray for people in power and follow their leadership and God puts them in charge…etc etc. This is very common in my neck of the woods when Trump was President.
If someone I don’t like is in charge, then I jump to Acts, and say “we have to obey God rather than men,” and can justify my dislike or disobedience because God’s laws are higher than man’s laws. This has gotten more popular in my circles since, oh, about 2021.
While I could make a lot of snarky comments about that, I think I’ll just leave it for now, because I think both of those are simplistic, and it’s easy for people to just pull a verse out when they want and be like “see, Biblical.”
A Different View on You
My point would be that we’re approaching it wrong – it’s not about submitting or resisting the authorities. My friend, you ARE the authority. Under the Roman Empire, in Paul and Peter’s day, the Emperor was the authority (ok, I’ll have to say the bureaucracy, because I’m just that way, but in the name of the emperor. ) In the end, the ruler was in charge.
Who is in charge in America? I’ll give you a hint, you’ve probably quoted it. “WE THE PEOPLE….” That’s right, my friend. YOU are the king here. You are the empress of the realm. You are the one who is ultimately responsible for the laws.
That means that you should not be looking at how to follow authority, but how to rule. (don’t take this to the extreme though). That is, you should be looking at God’s commands to the kings of Israel/Judah, to John the Baptists ideas for political leaders and soldiers, to the guidelines for the prophets and priests in the Old Testament.
Our Royal Decrees
You know what else that means? You are responsible for how America treats the poor. If God says the King needs to help provide for the poor, that is on you to vote that way. You are the one who decides how we treat the immigrant. If the Bible says the king should treat foreigners kindly, that is on you to vote that way.
You don’t get to say “well, those immigrants arebreaking the law. What can I do?” What you can do is change the law, my king. You can make it easier to be legal. You can change the law how you want. That is your right, and your responsibility. You want America to be a Christian nation? Then start voting for policies and people that do things the Bible commands kings to do.
Act like the ruler you are. Take it seriously. Know that you will one day stand before God, and he will ask you “what did you do with the power and responsibility i gave you?” Could David say “I didn’t think it mattered much, so i just ruled to give myself a tax cut”? “I wanted to make sure I could keep my bump stock sword, so I made sure that law passed”? Do you think you will be proud to stand before God and say that? When you have to explain which laws were important enough to you to enact?
Our Responsibility
To whom much is given, much is required, my friends. We have been given much in America. We have rights and freedoms that people historically could only dream of. What will you do with that power? Will you use it to get more wealth and comfort for yourself? To make sure the govt is small enough they can’t take any of your monies away?
Or will you vote for policies to help the poor? Will you change the law to help the immigrant? Will you refuse to vote for leaders who demean others? Will you vote for policies that help the innocent?
This is our responsibility. This is what should be on your mind when you fill out your ballot.
You are a king. You are a queen. When you stand before God, and he asks you how you ruled, how will you answer?