Election Day is November 3. Many millions have already voted, and many more will soon. The church of Christ is an embassy of God’s kingdom, so we are not consumed by elections. But all believers should be faithful citizens of the countries we inhabit on earth, so all believers should care about elections. With that in mind, here are some ways we should approach the voting process as followers of Christ.
Vote for biblical values. God has revealed himself to us. He made our world, and he’s told us how it works best. Many if not most of the politicians we vote for will not be Christians. But through God’s common grace, their values can still reflect God’s values at times. We should vote to see biblical values grow in America. “Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (Rom. 12:9).
Vote for righteous laws. Laws cannot save people from their sins. But laws can restrain evil; laws can promote goodness; and laws can have very serious effects on people’s lives. So we should vote for those we believe will promote good, wise, and impartial legislation. “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” (Isa. 5:18).
Vote for good character. All leadership flows from character. Good character is helpful. Bad character is harmful. So we should desire that men and women with integrity lead the country and its many institutions. “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2).
Vote according to your conscience. Every person has a conscience. As believers, we should always be shaping and strengthening our conscience with God’s word. But we must also act on our conscience each day. “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (Jas. 4:17). But even as Christians, we don’t always think the same way. So when it comes to voting, we must act according to our own consciences while respecting others who also love Christ yet weigh things differently. Some will vote one way, some another way, and others not at all. “Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Rom. 14:10).
Vote with faith and prayer. Elections are important. But they are not ultimate. God is ultimate. Because God is both sovereign and good, we can trust him. We can vote with faith, knowing that God is working out his will. Further, because God orchestrates the movements of the nations, we should pray and seek his face as we cast our votes. “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings” (Dan. 2:21). Therefore, “The righteous will never be moved… He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Ps. 112:6–7).
Vote as a Christian exile. Our earthly citizenships are secondary citizenships. Our primary citizenship is in heaven. Here on earth, we are foreigners and exiles (1 Pet. 2:11). Our true home is in the future. So while we participate in political processes, we should not be consumed by them. We serve society best when society is not our ultimate hope. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).
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