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Should Christians Vote? 
Believers can make a difference in God’s kingdom here and now. 

It is possible to build an argument from Scripture that distances Christians from culture and discourages them from participating in modern social and political structures. A few believers in every age have embraced this view that urges the godly to avoid government or casting ballots in its democratic process.

Reflecting on this extreme commitment to separation, we think of Jesus’ words in John18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight . . .” — one verse employed by those who build these arguments. 

Such zeal would be admirable if it did not omit the other half of the truth, which is this: God’s kingdom is also here and now. It has come upon us, is now in our midst, and compels us to seek and support its righteous cause at every common turn, prior to its final coming (Matthew 6:10, 33; 12:28; Luke 17:21; 19:13). 

The core issue here is that Christians are full-fledged citizens of two realms, with all the responsibilities and privileges of each. 

The ultimate citizenship of the spiritually reborn is in the kingdom of heaven. The nations of this world pale by comparison and are destined to finally give way to the eternal kingdom of God. This is the truth, according to Philippians 3:20, Revelation 11:15, and many other texts. 

But it is also true that God’s children participate positively in the earthly realm of their first birth. We should make all the difference we can here and now as we await the final triumph of God’s kingdom over all the earth. To do less is to betray the King who rules and reigns today. 

As citizens and servants of two realms, we should consider the apostle Paul. Both Roman and Christian, he saw no conflict in his dual citizenship — and neither should we. In becoming subjects of God’s kingdom through faith in Christ, we need not renounce all allegiance to the nation in which we were born or where we reside on earth. And we must not. 

Penetrating society 

The Bible makes a compelling case that followers of Christ, far from withdrawing from the world, should render all things due to Caesar and penetrate society with the light of the gospel and biblical values. One of the ways we do this in democratic nations is through political action and the ballot box. 

History tells us that political action has brought mercy and justice to some peoples who t is possible to build an argument from Scripture that distances Christians from culture and discourages them from participating in modern social and political structures. A few believers in every age have embraced this view that urges the godly to avoid government or casting ballots in its democratic process. Reflecting on this extreme commitment to separation, we think of Jesus’ words in John 18:36: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight . . .” — one verse employed by those who build these arguments. Such zeal would be admirable if it did not omit the other half of the truth, which is this: God’s kingdom is also here and now. It has come upon us, is now in our midst, and compels us to seek and support its righteous cause would otherwise have lacked it. An example of this is the struggle of William Wilberforce to overthrow slavery and slave trading in the British Empire in the early 1800s. After years of effort and frustrating failure on the part of Wilberforce and other committed Christians, this righteous cause was eventually achieved through political action — an act of Parliament. 

Voting 

For better or for worse, the chosen leaders of a nation do influence the moral and spiritual life of its people. Christians can well influence the country by helping to choose God-fearing leaders. Consider the following syllogism: 

Major premise: God works through those who hold power in civil governments to bring greater justice and increase civic righteousness among the citizenry (Romans 13:1-5). 

Minor premise: In a democracy, the people hold power through the ballot box.

Conclusion: God works through the votes of His people to make things better in democratic states.

By the strength of this logic, Christians ought to vote.

By the authority of Scripture, Christians ought to do all the good they can, by whatever godly means they can, and for as long as they possibly can.

Voting is one thing we can do that makes a difference. We cannot do everything, but we can vote. What we can do, we ought to do. And what we ought to do, if God permits, we will do!

  Transformation As important as it might be, voting is not the only good thing Christians can do to make a difference, nor is it even the greatest contribution we can make to the national welfare this fall. What can we do, then?

By God’s grace, Christians should be transformed in their minds, their speech, their actions, their homes, their churches, and their communities through faith in Christ — and then pass the Word along to others whose lives will also come to reflect His glory through the gospel.

Christian duty 

We believe that God’s people have a duty to be involved in the democratic process and in public service for the common good. Regardless of political affiliation, Christians should register to vote, be informed about vital issues, pray for their leaders, pay their taxes, obey and respect authority, serve on juries, and vote the core values of their faith. Far from compromising our fundamental commitment to faith, this form of citizenship actually demonstrates our love for God and neighbor. 

Having done all that is in our power to do, we should well remember that neither our votes nor our armies may determine ultimate outcomes. There is a God in heaven who rules and overrules in the affairs of people. He ordains human initiative, yet He is a God of surprises who brings light from the most dismal circumstances when the affairs of people go awry. 

And so we trust God, and we vote. 

Voting is a small part in doing our best with what we’ve been given for now. 

Trusting is the big part in seeing God’s best and all that He’s promised forever. 

The Case for Public Service 
• Joseph (in Egypt) and Daniel (in Babylon) served God within pagan governments. 
• Moses’ law forbad anyone to “curse” public officials (Exodus 22:28). 
• Jesus told us not to weaken our salt or hide our light in the public sphere (Matthew 5:13-16). 
• Sergius Paulus converted to Christ as a Cyprian official (Acts 13:7, 12). 
• Paul embraced, not renounced, Roman citizenship (22:25ff; 25:10,11). 
• We are to honor, obey and pray for those who rule over us. Can we seriously doubt, then, that voting, which was not an option for citizens in the first century, should be included in a modern list of civic duties for Christians?

by Calvin Burrell