[The following article was written for the last Presidential Election, but is relevant to the upcoming election as well. It was taken from The Chapman Challenger, October 27, 2008 -J]
Do Christians Really Have a Choice in Casting Their Vote?
Todd Clippard
On November 4, the citizens of our great nation will elect a president, U.S. senators, congressmen, and other officials. Tragically, some professed Christians try to separate their “politics” from their responsibility to do what is morally right. I find it unconscionable how many “Christians” openly align themselves with candidates who support homosexuality, abortion, and other positions opposed to Bible doctrine. Despite claims that these are “political issues,” they were moral issues first. When politicians turn moral issues into political issues, the faithful Christian must support that which is biblically right. Christians have the responsibility to support candidates whose views are most closely in accord with God’s word.
Christians are to be good stewards (1Corinthians 4:2). To whom much is entrusted, much will be required (Luke 12:48). How then can a Christian support a candidate who openly supports an ideology destructive to righteousness and holiness? Sadly, I am convinced that no matter the amount of warning or scriptural pleas, many Christians will vote for candidates who will use their office to promote a godless agenda.
God ordained civil government (Romans 13:1-7). Christians are to obey the laws of the land and conduct themselves in an orderly and godly fashion (1Peter 2:13-17). We are expected to pay taxes and to pray for the leaders of the land (Matthew 22:17-21; 1Timothy 2:1-3). But no citizen is forced to vote; it is a right and privilege. However, our rights as U.S. citizens are superseded by our moral stances as compared to the law of Christ (Philippians 1:20; Hebrews 11:16). Support should be given to men and women of high integrity and moral fiber who will make decisions to help steer our country back toward God’s word. Too often, Christians vote based upon their family history or supporting a particular party or the perceived economic advantages of supporting a particular party. Such reasoning is faulty and shallow for one who claims to be a child of God.
When the subject of voting and morality arises, some turn defensive and say, “How I vote is nobody’s business but my own!” (In the 13 years I’ve been preaching, every person who chastised me for “preaching politics” supported candidates who promoted abortion, homosexuality, the lottery, etcetera). However, when one enters the voting booth, the only parties truly involved are not the voter and his political party, but the voter and God. We will stand before God one day and give an account for our actions (2Corinthians 5:10); this includes how we vote. Christians who vote for candidates who promote ungodliness are part of the problem and not part of the solution of getting our country back on the right track. How can one pray for the good of our country when he supports candidates whose agenda undermines the very foundation of our nation?
In this year’s national elections, two issues at the forefront of the political debate are homosexuality and abortion. One presidential candidate opposes abortion and expanded rights for homosexuals, the other supports all forms of abortion and favors homosexual marriage. In light of this, do Christians really have a choice in how to vote? May we elect our leaders in such a way as to invoke God’s blessing. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
Do Christians Really Have a Choice in Casting Their Vote?
Todd Clippard
On November 4, the citizens of our great nation will elect a president, U.S. senators, congressmen, and other officials. Tragically, some professed Christians try to separate their “politics” from their responsibility to do what is morally right. I find it unconscionable how many “Christians” openly align themselves with candidates who support homosexuality, abortion, and other positions opposed to Bible doctrine. Despite claims that these are “political issues,” they were moral issues first. When politicians turn moral issues into political issues, the faithful Christian must support that which is biblically right. Christians have the responsibility to support candidates whose views are most closely in accord with God’s word.
Christians are to be good stewards (1Corinthians 4:2). To whom much is entrusted, much will be required (Luke 12:48). How then can a Christian support a candidate who openly supports an ideology destructive to righteousness and holiness? Sadly, I am convinced that no matter the amount of warning or scriptural pleas, many Christians will vote for candidates who will use their office to promote a godless agenda.
God ordained civil government (Romans 13:1-7). Christians are to obey the laws of the land and conduct themselves in an orderly and godly fashion (1Peter 2:13-17). We are expected to pay taxes and to pray for the leaders of the land (Matthew 22:17-21; 1Timothy 2:1-3). But no citizen is forced to vote; it is a right and privilege. However, our rights as U.S. citizens are superseded by our moral stances as compared to the law of Christ (Philippians 1:20; Hebrews 11:16). Support should be given to men and women of high integrity and moral fiber who will make decisions to help steer our country back toward God’s word. Too often, Christians vote based upon their family history or supporting a particular party or the perceived economic advantages of supporting a particular party. Such reasoning is faulty and shallow for one who claims to be a child of God.
When the subject of voting and morality arises, some turn defensive and say, “How I vote is nobody’s business but my own!” (In the 13 years I’ve been preaching, every person who chastised me for “preaching politics” supported candidates who promoted abortion, homosexuality, the lottery, etcetera). However, when one enters the voting booth, the only parties truly involved are not the voter and his political party, but the voter and God. We will stand before God one day and give an account for our actions (2Corinthians 5:10); this includes how we vote. Christians who vote for candidates who promote ungodliness are part of the problem and not part of the solution of getting our country back on the right track. How can one pray for the good of our country when he supports candidates whose agenda undermines the very foundation of our nation?
In this year’s national elections, two issues at the forefront of the political debate are homosexuality and abortion. One presidential candidate opposes abortion and expanded rights for homosexuals, the other supports all forms of abortion and favors homosexual marriage. In light of this, do Christians really have a choice in how to vote? May we elect our leaders in such a way as to invoke God’s blessing. “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).
