A Christian’s Perspective on Voting
Prov 14:34 & Prov 29:2
Introduction
Well, Election Day is upon us and there are some things that are worth remembering when it comes to voting
This Tuesday, Nov 2, is Election Day and it has been termed by some as one of the most important election days in our nation’s history
I am a preacher and not a politician, so I plan to preach this morning and not talk about politics
And the ACLU has many a preacher scared to say anything from the pulpit but I’m not one of them
I will not endorse any candidate or any party this morning but here’s what I will do
I want us to look at, in accordance with the Bible, “A Christian’s Perspective on Voting”
In other words, God will hold us accountable one day for how we did or for that matter, did not vote
Passages
Prov 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Prov 29:2 “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” (NLT)
Pray
TRANS: So the first question to ask this morning is…
1. Why Vote?
Turn to Matt 22:17 & 21
As an American citizen, it is a given right for you and I to be able to vote
But as Christians, it is not just a right, but it is a responsibility
We have been given a voice to let our desires be heard for who we want as leaders
Jesus says we are to render unto the government what is the governments
And this Tuesday, that rendering is to be done by voting.
If you don’t take the time to vote, you’re vote will be given to who you don’t want in office
TRANS: The second question is…
2. What Are the Issues?
For many voters, the things that they think are at stake are issues that deal with the economy…healthcare…taxes
Even for many Christian voter’s, when ask, say that economic issues are more important than moral issues
I want you to know that there is no biblical support for that view or stance
In fact, let’s look at what Jesus said in Matt 6:25-33
The disciples were worried about where they would get their clothing and food and shelter
But Jesus said, don’t worry about your economical situation but rather first you are to seek righteousness
Then, all these things (economic issues) will be taken care of
In other words “cool it” God provides for the birds and the lilies of the field
If they will seek righteousness first, then all the other “stuff” will be taken care of as well
Economic prosperity is actually a fruit of righteousness…again the bible gives us clear guidance to seek God first and His righteousness
And all the economic stuff will be taken care of
TRANS: So then what issues do I vote for…
3. Vote for Righteousness
Remember Our passage in Prov 29:2 says again “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” (NLT)
We have a voice and we choose who is put into office…whether good or bad
This principle was well articulated over a century ago by our 20th President, James A. Garfield in 1876
By the way, President Garfield was also a minister of the gospel in the second great awakening
Garfield said this “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these qualities to represent then in national legislature.”
He is absolutely right…the values of Congress are not a good reflection of the people…only of those that have voted or not voted to put them there
This is why Congress seems so out of step with the rest of the country
Returning to President Garfield, and looking ahead to where we are right now in this generation…he forewarned us
“If the next centennial(that’s us) does not find us a great nation, it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces”
Nobody better represents the enterprise, the culture or morality than does the church
And we are the ones who have to aid in controlling the political forces
And there have been many who have been praying for this election…but we must do more than pray
As founding father John Hancock reminded us two centuries ago “I urge you, by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that ye pray but also that ye act”
We’ve prayed for this election and will continue to do so but we must also act
James tells us in 1:22 to not just be hearers of the word but doers
We must make sure that at the very least…we vote…for the Christian it is not just a right but a duty
It’s a stewardship that we owe to God and one that we will directly answer to Him when He ask “what did you do with the vote I gave you”
God’s people must adopt the political position set forth a century and a half ago by the Rev. Frederick Douglass, the famous African American, who was a civil rights leader before, during, and after the Civil War
“I have one great political idea…The best expression of it, I have found in the Bible…It is ‘Righteousness exalteth a nation; sin is a reproach to any people. This constitutes my politics – the negative and positive of my politics, and the whole of my politics”
We must adopt the same position…righteousness must be THE ISSUE when we vote
When we stand before God and ask “why did you vote for a leader who is trying to redefine my definition on the institution of marriage?”
Or “One who kills the unborn children of which I knew before they were formed in the womb?”
Look how serious God took the killing of a child in the womb (Exo 21:22-23)
Or “One who is trying to remove me from every instance of society?”
And our answer is “because he was good on jobs and the economy”…God will not be satisfied with that answer.
God expects that you and I as believers in Christ, first and foremost, vote for His righteousness at the ballot box
No matter what party affiliation you line up with…as a Christian, you and I are to vote along the lines of the Bible and for those candidates who stand for Biblical principles
Not who have a good grasp of the economy and jobs and healthcare reform
Charles Finney, a leader in the second Great Awakening, reminded the Christians in his day “The Church must take right ground in the regard to politics. Christians have been exceedingly guilty in this matter, but the time has come when they must act differently. God cannot sustain this free and blessed country to which we love and pray for unless the Church will take the right ground. God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”
An election is not an event but a lifelong process for which we must be engaged in for the duration
We’ve been commanded by the Lord in Luke 19:13 (KJV) “And He called His servants…and said unto them ‘Occupy till I come.’”
We need to do that no matter how long it takes…that way when He does come…He can say to us…well done thou good and faithful servant
TRANS: Let me wrap this up…
Conclusion
As we close in on the election, let’s continue to pray for this election
And here is an excellent prayer for this election found in Isaiah
Isaiah 5:26 says “God whistles for those at the ends of the earth. Here they come – swiftly and speedily!”
Let’s pray that God’s people will hear the whistle of God and flock to the ballot booth’s and let their voice’s be heard through their vote
And let’s pray they vote for righteousness first…but let us also do our part and go vote on Tuesday
If you are not sure where candidates stand on issues of righteousness, there are handouts at the back you can pick-up that give where they stand.
So now, it’s up to you…what will you do to try to make sure that we are a nation that stands for righteousness?
Prov 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.”
Prov 29:2 “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.” (NLT)
Pray
***Many exerpts and quotations taken from David Barton at www.wallbuilders.com
