This is a question that a I am sure many have asked themselves, especially with Election Day shortly upon us. Who should I vote for? A lot goes into this question and I think there are some things one should consider. Voting is a personal thing and I cannot tell you exactly who to vote for, but I can encourage you to consider some things as you vote in the future. Here are five things to consider before heading to the polls.
Who is our ultimate authority? One thing to consider when voting for the authority over our nation is who is our ULTIMATE authority? Consider verses like Matthew 28:18 that tells us Jesus has all authority. When it comes to living our lives Jesus should be our source of ultimate authority. So then when it comes to voting for our earthly leaders what leader can make our life of living in submission to God easier? Peter in Acts 5:29 tells us that we "Ought to obey God rather than man." Consider the ultimate source of authority before you vote this year.
Will this leader I'm voting for help or hinder ones walk with God? This is also something one should consider when it comes time to vote. We know the expectation of Acts 5:29. Therefore will who I am voting for make my life easier and my walk with God stronger or will it further spiral the country into sin?
Call out sin for what it is. While this should be done in a spirit of love, sin should not be downplayed or taken lightly. Consider the idea presented in Ephesians 5:11 that tells us to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." Sin is to be exposed not further accepted. Sins such as abortion and homosexuality should not be downplayed and accepted but rather exposed.
Remember the message of Matthew 5:43-44. This text tells us the following "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Just because someone votes differently than you is not an excuse for rude or abusive language or hate speech. Now is the time to show the love of Christ and what that looks like rather than push people further away.
Remember God is in control no matter what. Consider the words of Romans 13:1-2 which says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." Attitudes of "Not my President" or things like it are not a Christian attitude to have. God is in still in control no matter who is in office
I can not tell you explicitly who to vote for. That is between you and God ultimately. But I can tell you some Biblical advice before you to head to the polls this year. I want to leave you with one last word of advice.
When men become so tied to what man has made, we often forget who made man.
