Why Christians should exercise their right to vote in elections

It is exhausting. It can be draining to turn on the nightly or morning news or see push notifications on our phone filled with headlines about political corruption or election fraud. The news alerts flooding our screens and our lives can cause us to lose hope that our voting makes any difference. Temptation creeps into our life to say it is useless and pointless to vote. “I’m just one vote.” However, it is not only our freedom and right to vote but it is our duty as Christians.

Americans have a rare and unique privilege most others around the world do not enjoy. We have the freedom and right to vote. We are able to choose our leaders and, as a result, influence the laws made in our nation and state. It is not only our right to vote in elections, it is our duty as Christians. It is a way of showing love to our neighbor, acknowledgment of God’s Divine Providence, and our respect for God’s commands.

“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them tested him by asking, ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:34-39)

Jesus made it a regular habit of spending time with the outcasts, the poor, and the needy. He showed love to those he encountered. One of the ways we can show love to our neighbor is to help protect the rights and privileges that assist those in need. By voting, we are showing that we care enough about our neighbor to vote for what impacts them. Our vote influences laws that have a direct effect on inflation, immigration, abortion, religious freedom, and individual rights. If we do not vote then we are leaving it up to others who may vote against Christian values and, thus, cause additional restrictive and ungodly laws to be passed. The enabling of such laws, and apathy for taking action, is a contradiction to what our founding fathers desired for this country. If we are to want the best life possible for our neighbors, friends, and loved ones then we should vote in elections to use our voice in advocacy for those things which are pleasing to the Lord.

One of the greatest founding fathers, president George Washington, gave his first inaugural address on April 30, 1789 and recognized God as the supreme being who instituted and materialized the government we enjoy today. Washington stated, during that address, “the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained.” All throughout his address, Washington references the role God played in ensuring we have an America to call home. “No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States.” Washington knew we owed our gratitude and thanksgiving to God for the freedoms and privilege of being an American. One of those ways to express gratitude is to vote in our elections.

Additionally, we must exercise our right to vote so that God can use us in structuring government and laws. Do not be misled, God does not need us. He uses us when we allow ourselves to be available to be used because He desires to include us in His Divine plan. Sacred Scripture is clear that is it not the hands of corrupt officials, a political party, or political PACs that place our leaders in this positions. It is God and God allows them to hold those offices.

“Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore; whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2)

There is no such thing as “not my president” or “not my governor, I didn’t vote for him.” It does not matter if the candidate we vote for wins or loses. We are to still respect the fact that person holds the office that God has set them in and, as a result, we are to be subordinate to them. By voting in the elections and utilizing our voice, we are showing respect to the Lord by exercising our ability to play a part in that process. Not only are we being subordinate to those already in authority, we are being subordinate to the laws of the land which depend upon and request our participation.

If God sets government leaders in their offices, then we must recognize it is through the power of the Holy Spirit for which he leads voters to cast their vote. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that God sets those leaders in place. If we get caught up in the arguments and debates on “rigged elections”, political corruption, and election fraud then we are putting our trust more in the elections and politicians than we are the Lord.

A failure to vote is a failure to appreciate a unique privilege the Lord has bestowed upon us. A failure to vote is a refusal to be used by God in His purpose and plan. A failure to vote is a failure to show love for our neighbor. A failure to vote is a failure to recognize God’s Divine Providence and Sovereignty over every part of our life and that which impacts it.