By Jim Schneider
Executive Director
VCY America
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” (Proverbs 29:2)
Christians have often been caught in the dilemma, “Should I vote or should I not?” We are quick to say that we are citizens in heaven and should not be entangled with the things on earth. Others will quote the words of the well-known song:
This world is not my home,
I’m just a-passing through,
My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue;
The angels beckon me from heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.
Yet when Jesus was asked about civic responsibility, particularly in the area of the paying of taxes, He said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Mark 12:17)
It is my conviction that voting is a matter of Christian stewardship. Of all the countries in the world, the Lord has placed us in this country for a reason. I’m so very grateful for the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and the drafting of our Constitution. Many peoples around the world only dream to have what we have in America and we MUST NOT squander it! In many nations the people have no choice in the selection of those who govern them, but in our Constitutional Republic, we do!
Yes, we have this cherished freedom in America! As such, we have a responsibility as citizens to elect leaders who are just. And we have a responsibility as Christians to vote with our Bibles open.
We must never become lax in this vital responsibility. As Samuel Adams, one of our nation’s Founders stated, “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote…that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”
We have responsibility before God in how we cast our vote. God is very clear in His Word concerning moral truth; and woe be to the one who ignores this truth in order to see his wallet grow a bit fatter. Many have fought and died for the freedoms (such as voting) that we have today. It is a slap in the face to them for us to waste this opportunity.
The evangelist, Charles Finney said, “Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to have their country as a part of their duty to God…God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.” Scriptures are very clear, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34) If believers in Christ fail to stand for righteousness it will lead to the very downfall of our nation.
It’s critical to realize that the way we conduct ourselves and our affairs not only impacts ourselves, but also our fellow citizens. Further, it’s important to realize our actions will have an impact upon our children, and our children’s children. Just as it came to Queen Esther’s realization, we must recognize that God has placed us here “for such a time as this.” Either we will take opportunity to stand for righteousness or we choose to become derelict in our responsibility and let evil reign.
William E. Simon, a former Secretary of the Treasury stated, “Bad politicians are sent to Washington by good people who don’t vote.” Indeed, for a Christian to neglect or discard his vote enables evil to triumph. It’s troubling to review statistics as to the great numbers of Christians who are not even registered to vote. And of those who are registered only about half actually vote. Where is the salt? Where is the light in our society?
Another Founding Father, Noah Webster said, “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect this duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted.”
And let me ask, when a government is corrupted where does that leave the cause of religious freedom? Where does that leave the ability to freely communicate God’s Word in the public square? Where does that leave the local church to operate in spreading the message of the Gospel? As the Psalmist wrote, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3)
It is important to recognize there is never a perfect slate of candidates in any election. As a matter of fact, there has never been a perfect slate of candidates. God gave us the stewardship of voting knowing full-well that every candidate is a sinner. Waiting to vote until there is a perfect candidate is an excuse not to vote. We must consider who will most advance righteousness and who will stand against evil.
Do not be tempted to “sit this one out.” The stakes are too high; not only for this generation, but for that which is to come. Yes, our vote is a stewardship before God. And may we be mindful, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (I Corinthians 4:2)
