How Should We Vote
We are living in tumultuous times, there is no doubt about that. We seem to be on the very brink of a very large bubble preparing to POP! Anger, vitriol, hatred, and the like are spilling over into a seeming avalanche that has no signs of slowing before it covers the highway, demolishes some cars, kills a few people, and entirely stops traffic until it can be cleared. We have a very high stakes election bearing down upon us and the choices that our country is facing have mixed reviews (to say the least) by the majority of Americans.
But it is not about the candidates so much that I wish to write about today. Today I am writing about you; I’m writing to you, the voter, the Christian, the man or woman who is compelled and beckoned by Christ to obey him. To the one who is filled with the Holy Spirit and obeys God’s commands because they are not burdensome to you (1 John 5:3).
This being the case, I want to lay before you two options (as I see it) when it comes to voting.
Option 1: Less Than Ideal
It is no surprise to anyone reading this, that we have two men running for office that do not exactly rise to the level of what many believe a president should be. If you have had your eye on either of these two men for the previous year or so, it is plain that much of their behavior and language is not becoming of what we would consider appropriate for a “born-again believer.” Whatever can be said of the character of one, can - and should - be said of the other. However, it is necessary to indicate that it is possible to vote for a candidate to be the president of our land (or maintain any political office for that matter) and not have a credible profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. What we must recognize, however, is that Christ is already King over this nation and every other nation for that matter. The Reformed Presbyterian Testimony (RPT) 23.2 says,
“God has given the exercise of all authority to the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is the Divine Lawgiver, Governor and Judge. His will concerning the purpose of civil government and the principles regarding its functions and operation are revealed in the written Word of God. The Holy Spirit enables even unregenerate rulers to fulfill their proper functions. A true recognition of the authority and law of Christ in national life can only be the fruit of the Spirit’s regenerating power in the lives of individuals”
(Deuteronomy 4:3; Daniel 4:25,32,35; Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:10; Ephesians 1:22; Isaiah 33:22; Deuteronomy 17:18-19; Isaiah 45:1-7; Ezekiel 36:27).
What is said here is of crucial importance. First of all, it is confessed that Christ has all authority given him from the Father already. Therefore, when it is said “vote for Jesus” we see a misguided desire. He already has the authority you would be voting for him to have! He is the King now, over all of creation now, and we cannot, nor can anyone else do anything to change that reality. “God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2:9-10). So we joyfully confess that Christ is already King, even over America.
Secondly, because Jesus is already ruling and reigning over the whole Earth, it is said, “The Holy Spirit enables even unregenerate rulers to fulfill their proper functions” (RPT 23.2). This is because of what we understand from Paul’s explanation in Romans 13:
“There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God . . . He is God’s servant for your good (Rom. 13:1–5). Those words are not a blanket endorsement of all that rulers do. Rather, the apostle urges us in that passage, to expect Christ’s justice even at the hands of unregenerate governors and, as far as it is in our power to do so, to hold them accountable to heaven’s righteousness.”
On the one hand, we must pray that godly leaders will be raised up. Leaders, who eagerly, and with faith, follow Jesus Christ and wish to lead that way. But do we honestly think that a pagan president can thwart the decrees of the Lord? Do we honestly think that somehow even though God has ordained government, that it is a mistake that it is filled with non-believing men and women? No, rather it is of course the sovereign will of the Lord that it would be this way. However, because it is this way, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit equips even unregenerate men to govern according to biblical principles.
Voting Guidance
The RPT continues in saying,
“The Christian, when such action involves no disloyalty to Christ, ought to be involved in the selection of and to vote for civil rulers who fear God, love truth and justice, hate evil, and are publicly committed to scriptural principles of civil government.” (RPT 23.15)
The language here is hugely intentional. For instance, some will read “fear God” and immediately see the phrase “profess Jesus” and say something like, “See? The candidate must have a fear of the One True Living God, and revere him alone.” Others will see “fear God” and see an overarching call to recognize transcendency and say something like, “The candidate must fear God, but it is possible to fear God without believing in Jesus, and just have a deep sense of accountability toward God.” The language was chosen for those with varying convictions. However, to fear God does not necessarily mean one must believe in Jesus. For instance, in Acts 13:16 and 13:26 there are listed men who “fear God” but were neither Jews nor were they Christian. They were God-fearers, like Cornelius in Acts 10:22, who understood that there was a transcendent God above them, and that they were morally responsible for their lives, and yet they did not know his name. In the same way, when the testimony says, “love for truth and justice and hatred of evil” we are instructed to look for a candidate who demonstrates a commitment to the principles of Jesus’ law, whether or not they know Jesus personally.
We look to these three indicators and motivations of who to vote for: fearing God, loving truth and justice, and hating evil. However, it is important to recognize these motivations do not necessarily mandate that a candidate must have a profession of faith in Jesus, but rather what it does say is that he must not be an atheist or deist. He must not believe that morality is subjective, and he must have a great respect for transcendent truth. If someone cannot do this then they are not deserving of a vote from someone who follows Jesus. Let us consider - anecdotally - how this can be true. Consider the many people (even family) in our lives who are not believers in Christ, and yet they believe in truth, or oppose abortion, or desire people to work honestly for their money. These are biblical principles held by people who do not profess faith in Christ (Romans 2:15).
Lastly, we must not be quick to equate all sins equally. We must look with an aim of promoting righteousness ourselves. The Testimony tells us, “. . . to be involved in the selection of and to vote for civil rulers . . .” because by doing this we partake in a system in which righteousness or evil may be promoted. By doing this we are endeavoring to ensure that the proper biblical government is maintained (Romans 13:1-7). Abstaining from this process may promote righteousness in one sense; standing upon principles which are righteous, and not going against conscience. However, in another sense it may not promote righteousness because the choice will not actually affect any change in a broader sense in the culture. We must look at the repercussions of our decisions. For instance, in this particular election (2020) I am far (that is an understatement) more concerned with the murder of innocent babies than I am with offensive speech.
Option 2: The Ideal
As a Christian, it is your supreme and sublime duty to “glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” So in everything we do “whether we eat or drink” we do for God’s glory, and this includes our vote. So we start here. There is no argument against this. If this is not the aim and frame of a Christian then it is his salvation I am fearful of more than the national ramifications of this election.
In Romans 11:36 Paul proclaims that, “from him [Christ] and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” And again in 1 Corinthians 10:31 Paul says, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Additionally, in speaking of Christ, Paul says in Colossians 1:16, “For by him [Christ] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.”
It is difficult to see then, how Christ would not be the ruler of both the church and all the nations, including our own and its government. He is preeminent, and all authority in heaven and earth has been given to him so we conclude that there is one kingdom over which Christ is ruler, not two. This means, therefore, that the civil government is a servant of Christ and exists for his glory.
When we come to voting for a ruler of the nation therefore, we must consider two things: 1) a credible profession of faith in Jesus Christ must exist, and 2) godly character and godly wisdom must be present in the candidates life.
1. In this world there are only two kinds of people: Christians and non-Christians, dead and alive, righteous and unrighteous, believer and unbeliever, regenerate and unregenerate. This means that a person either serves Christ or they serve wickedness. A person is either walking in darkness or they are walking in the light (Ephesians 2:1-6; Matthew 6:24). However, it is also true that we are unable to discern infallibly the hearts of any individual, therefore we must faithfully judge the tree by its fruits (Luke 6:44). But how does this look?
Certain pastors and theologians of the Reformed Presbyterian Synod put it this way, saying,
“First, it means that politicians who profess no allegiance to Christ and have no interest in His church must be taken at their word and regarded as spiritually dead (1 Tim. 2:12). Second, it means that those who profess allegiance to Christ, while remaining indifferent toward His Word and unresponsive to His church, must be regarded as religious hypocrites rather than brothers in Christ (Matt. 18:17). Third, it means that those who profess allegiance to Christ, but who belong to secret societies, heretical groups, or false churches (e.g. Mormons, Freemasons, Romanists, etc.) must be regarded as under the dominion of Satan, who is himself the author of every false religion (1 Cor. 11:1-15).”
If a ruler rejects or lacks the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ who is the rightful ruler over him, how then can a Christian who does profess this truth vote for a candidate who refuses to bend their knee?
2. When we look to scripture there is a common mandate for those who would be leaders and rulers over people: They must serve God.
“Now it shall come about when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself a copy of this law on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted up above his countrymen and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or the left, so that he and his sons may continue long in his kingdom in the midst of Israel” (Deuteronomy 17:14-20).
Apart from the word of God, we are selfish and ignorant of all that is good, right, just, and fair. This is why it is necessary that whichever candidate is being considered for office must have a proven track record of voting for and putting forth righteous policies, they must have consistent demonstration of unselfish leadership and have exemplified integrity both at home and in their public life. Even when we look to the New Testament it is obvious that men are to be diligent workers and to care for their families in all the ways that a family must be cared for (2 Thess. 2:10; 1 Tim. 5:8).
Because of this, let us consider a number of probing questions:
Are we maintaining our loyalty and solidarity with Christ when we vote for the very same rulers that He has promised to shatter in pieces?
Is it consistent for us, as the members of Christ’s body, to support the avowed enemies of our Head?
How can we, who are presently seated with Christ in heavenly places (Col. 3:1), lend our support to His antagonists while sitting in His very presence?
What faithful bride would help advance the cause of her husband's enemies (Eph. 5:25)?
Why is it that we would refuse to give our daughter to an ungodly man in marriage, yet we will happily vote to deliver our entire city, county, state, or nation into the hands of ungodly civil rulers?
A Matter of Conscience
Space fails me to discuss the biblical depth of the conscience. But suffice it to say, if you simply cannot vote for a candidate, then do not do it. As Luther (probably) said “to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.” If you know what you ought to do, and you do not do it, or you go against it, for you that is sin and it will result in the searing of your conscience against other sin (Rom. 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:2). On the other hand, if a candidate is a proponent of something that is grossly unchristian, disgustingly immoral, and all together reprehensible (like abortion) then we need to sincerely consider whether we have the liberty to vote for that person. I am of the opinion that we do not. Let the the word of God bind your conscience on this issue,
"Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed, For in the image of God He made man”(Genesis 9:6).
“There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him . . . hands that shed innocent blood . . .” (Proverbs 6:16-19).
“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
Conclusion
At this time in our nation we have an election that is upon us, and it appears to be of great consequence for our future. For those Christians who desire to vote: vote according to the scriptures and your conscience. Christians have an obligation to promote righteousness in our world, insofar as we are able, without being disloyal to Christ. We also have an obligation to do whatever we can to see that the Gospel can be promoted as much as possible. Along with this, we - as Christians - have a great desire to be able to worship freely and in peace and so we should do everything we can to promote the unhindered worship of the Father. However, the answer is not always easy to come by for all Christians. Therefore, Christians should not be at each other's throats over whether they do or do not vote. This is not something that should divide Christians. This is because we are bound by the same word and the same Lord. We must have as our first and foremost goal to be faithful to our Lord by promoting the Gospel and worshiping Him in Spirit and Truth. There must be an allowance for conscience, while being faithful to the scripture and to Christ. So as Paul urges, and as the Proverbs instruct, I urge and instruct you as well,
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:1-4).
“When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.” (Proverbs 29:2)
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