Have you ever noticed that going to the polls to vote is not mentioned in the Bible? You find no verse saying, “Thou shalt go to your precinct’s polling place each Election Day and cast your vote.” That’s probably because people in Bible times did not live in societies with democratic underpinnings. They did not have the opportunity to vote. Many lived in monarchies where the king ruled autocratically. Others lived as oppressed people under foreign domination. The common person had no voice in public affairs.
We in Western society in the 21st Century enjoy a privilege people in the past, and in some parts of our world today, only dream about. In fact, in the history of our own country, this privilege, although limited by gender and race during earlier chapters, was nevertheless something men fought and died to attain and preserve.
On November 4th we have the opportunity to exercise that privilege. We can go to the polling place and let our voice be heard.
As a church, our mission is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gave us our mission very clearly: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). We are here to share the good news of God’s love in Christ, lead people to salvation in Christ, and help them grow in Christ. The Bible, the very word of God, is our guidebook; teaching and obeying it is our priority.
Therefore, we do not believe it is our calling as a church body to promote a political party, a particular candidate, or a political agenda. However, as individual Christian citizens of the USA, we have the opportunity to hold political office and to vote on all matters that come to the ballot box. This is one way we can seek to be salt in a decaying world and light in the darkness.
I would encourage you as a Christian citizen to participate in the privilege that is ours to vote and, if so inclined and led by the Lord, to serve in public office. Even more strongly, however, I would urge you to pray. This the Bible does talk about … very clearly. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
All Christians, whether citizens in democratic societies or citizens in totalitarian regimes, can and should participate in the affairs of state through prayer. We have access to the One who does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth (see Daniel 4:34-35). He listens to the prayers of His people. We have a voice where it matters most.