Five Biblical Principles For Christian Voters

Romans 13:1-4 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. ² Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. ³ For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:      ⁴ For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

On April 19, 1926, before the Daughters of the American Revolution, President Calvin Coolidge stated: “In the intervening years customs and habits have changed. Opportunities for recreation have increased. Our entire mode of life has been recast through invention, the great growth of our cities, and for other reasons. Undoubtedly, this has been responsible in no small measure for the widespread disregard on the part of so many of our citizens of the privilege and duty of voting. If the people fail to vote, a government will be developed which is not their government.... The whole system of American Government rests on the ballot box. Unless citizens perform their duties there, such a system of government is doomed to failure.”

Evangelist Charles Finney declared (1792-1875): “The church must take right ground in regards to politics... The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics or the Lord will curse them....God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the Church will take right ground. Politics are a part of a religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to their country as a part of their duty to God.... God will bless or curse this nation according to the course Christians take in politics.”

Noah Webster (1758- 1843): “When you become entitled to exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed on your mind that God commands you to choose for rulers "just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; If the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made not for the public good so much as for the selfish or local purposes; Corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded. If a republican government fails to secure public prosperity and happiness, it must be because the citizens neglect the divine commands, and elect bad men to make and administer the laws.”

There are five important principles we should examine in considering the Christians involvement in the political process. 

^#1. CHRISTIANS ARE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS. Matthew 22:21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.

^#2. CHRISTIANS ARE TO PRAY FOR THEIR GOVERNMENT LEADERS. 1 Timothy 2:1-3  I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

^#3. CHRISTIANS ARE ADMONISHED TO OBEY THE LAW EXCEPT WHEN THEY ARE COMMANDED TO DISOBEY GOD. Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

The Founding Fathers of our nation found a way for us to have redress of issues and laws that violate our conscience and God’s law.

We have access to,…

1.      The Executive.

2.      The Legislative.

3.      The Judicial.

^#4. CHRISTIANS SHOULD ELECT OFFICIALS WHO WILL DEFEND WHAT IS RIGHT. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.

John Witherspoon (1723- 1794), a signer the Declaration of Independence and a member of the Continental Congress, wrote: “Civil liberty cannot be long preserved without virtue. A Republic must either preserve its virtue or lose its liberty.”

Chief Justice John Jay: Appointed by President George Washington as the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He was also elected president of the Westchester Bible Society in 1818 and president of the American Bible Society in 1821. On January 1, 1813, Chief Justice John Jay penned a letter to Jedediah Morse regarding voting: “Whether our Religion permits Christians to vote for infidel rulers is a question which merits more consideration than it seems yet to have generally received, either from the clergy or the laity.” On Oct. 12, 1816 “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

^#5. CHRISTIANS SHOULD SEEK CANDIDATES THAT HONOR GOD IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS.

• The Traditional Christian Home (Genesis 1:26-28).

• The Freedom of Religion (Ephesians 5:25-27).

• The Sacredness of Human Life (Psalm 139:13-16).

• The Value of A Solid Work Ethic (2 Thessalonians 3:10 / Proverbs 10:4-5).

• Our Responsibility To Man And Before God (Romans 14:7-12).