WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS VOTE?
Written by President of Strong Tower Christian Media, Tracy Figley
Why should Christians vote? Let me say at the outset that good people have differing opinions on the Christian’s role
in the political process. I believe there is simply too much at stake to ignore that process in these United States!
Some say that as followers of Christ, we should not run for office or even vote for candidates because our citizenship
is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20). But if you are a citizen of the USA and a blood-washed follower of Christ, you
actually have dual citizenship.
The trouble with making a Biblical case for Christians to be involved in the political process here and now is that there
were no countries like America in Biblical times. No freedom to worship guaranteed by a constitution, no right to
choose the leaders, no ability to impact the direction of the nation. However, I do believe we have a very powerful
example in the New Testament of someone with dual citizenship, and we will get to that in a moment.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that we are ambassadors for Christ, carrying the most important
message, the message of the Gospel, of reconciliation.
What is an ambassador? According to Webster’s dictionary, an ambassador is a diplomat of the highest rank;
accredited as a representative from one country to another. That’s us, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. We are
ambassadors for our Heavenly country but to our earthly country. So what does an ambassadorship look like for
these two kingdoms? Let’s look at the role of an ambassador.
We send an ambassador to another nation from the United States, for example, to represent the best interests of his
home country. Often, the ambassador can use diplomatic and persuasive means to do this.
The ambassador doesn’t particularly care who comes to power in the country in which he or she is placed, but is
very concerned about the policies of that leader and how they feel about the home country the ambassador is
charged to represent. One thing the ambassador can’t do is vote for the leader of his choice! Unless, he has dual
citizenship both in his home country and in the country he is sent as an ambassador! Friends, as believers in Christ,
we are ambassadors with dual citizenship! Part of what we are permitted to do as citizens of these United States is
to influence the election of our leaders directly at the ballot box!
Should we exercise that influence by voting? The answer is a resounding YES! Luke 12:48 says to whom much is
given, much will be required. We have been given a rare freedom to influence our leaders and the direction of our
beloved nation for the benefit of our homeland in Heaven. That influence is a stewardship and I believe we must
exercise that influence to the glory of God!
So how should we vote? For us, as ambassadors for Christ, is it really just about the economy? Or is there
something more important we are called to promote in this land to which we’ve been sent? It’s all about the
Gospel, the message of reconciliation between God and man. This is the most important message we as believers
have to offer this world. When that is our priority, we are representing our King (The King of Kings) well!
We may disagree on personalities, on tone, on immigration, on economic policies, even on social issues, but one
thing we should all agree on if we embrace the Gospel, is the continued freedom to proclaim it and live it out in this
nation! Freedom of religion in these United States is guaranteed by our constitution, but has been ignored and
ridiculed by our courts and leaders over the last 25 years. There is a clear choice in this presidential election!
Some of my well-meaning friends tell me that if persecution for our Christian Faith is going to come, let it come. The
church in America could use some persecution. Well, perhaps that is true; only God knows the future of the church
in this great land. BUT…I have yet to find anywhere in scripture where we are encouraged to pray for or even invite
persecution for our faith, so I will pass on that. If God sends it, then He will grant us the courage to endure and
remain faithful, but if it comes because we didn’t do our jobs as ambassadors, then shame on us! It is our
responsibility as ambassadors for Christ to represent His interests in our temporary homeland.
As I read my Bible, God has no higher priority than the spread of His Gospel and the salvation of eternal souls! 2
Peter 3:9 tells us that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance! What if
religious freedom, freedom to preach here at home and export the Gospel abroad, is among the much that is given to
us?
Tracy, this is all fine and good, I hear some say, but this is just your opinion! Remember when I said the scripture
gave us a powerful example of someone with dual citizenship? Let’s talk for a moment about the Apostle Paul.
Paul ministered in a nation much different from ours. Christians were not in the majority, there was no religious
freedom, in fact, his life was in constant danger because he proclaimed Christ! Paul did not hesitate to use his rights
as a citizen of Rome if it served to advance the priority of his Heavenly home! Time and time again in the book of
Acts when Paul was dragged before governing officials by people who didn’t want to hear about Jesus, he used his
Roman citizenship to continue spreading the Gospel, ultimately to proclaim it in Rome by insisting on a trial before
Caesar!
I believe Paul, author of much of the New Testament, is our model of using citizenship in one country to advance the
goals of our other, Heavenly country!
Finally, an ambassador is rarely in agreement with everything said by the leadership of the country to which he is
sent. The important thing is to support those people and policies that line up best with the priorities of his home
country and the King who sent him!
It is our responsibility as ambassadors for Christ to find out which candidates are committed to religious freedom and
which candidates put every other right, even imagined rights ahead of religious freedom. We must prayerfully identify
which candidates believe that God still has a place in our national life and which ones marginalize those who name
the name of Christ. Then, get out and vote and represent well, the King who placed you here!
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