I don’t know that I’ve ever been so weary of politics as I am this election season. This year has certainly been one of the most negative and difficult in American history.
Often when voting, we look for “the lesser of two evils.” Perhaps a better way to say it is that we should look for which candidate is more likely to support vital issues as related to the teachings of Scripture and is most likely to preserve religious liberty for those who desire to propagate Scriptural truth.
This is not to imply that a candidate is a knowledgeable or biblical Christian in every case, but that they are at least sympathetic to biblical issues is important to me.
I believe Christians have a responsibility to use the freedom we’ve been given to influence our society for biblical values. Although there have been elections in which I have felt far more enthusiastic support for one candidate, there has never been an election in which either candidate aligned with my beliefs in every way.
I think one of the benefits of this election season for Bible-believing Christians is the ever-present reminder that this world is not our home. I’m reminded of Hebrews 11:13 which speaks of the Old Testament heroes of faith as being people who “…confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”
The fact that this world is not my home, however, doesn’t make me disengage in the opportunity I have to vote. It makes me engage with a broader perspective.
In every election since I was old enough to vote, I have chosen who to vote for (and not just in the presidential race, but for all candidates on the ballot) based first on these three criteria:
1. I vote for life.
Every unborn child is a person created by God who deserves the opportunity to live out his God-given purpose. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
I’m afraid American Christians are becoming desensitized to what abortion is and what it would mean for literally millions of babies (and their mothers) if we elect another president who supports abortion and appoints a supreme court justice(s) who does as well.
2. I vote for Israel.
In the early pages of Scripture, God promised a special blessing to nations who support Israel and a definite curse to those who harm her. Genesis 12:3 says, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
Although both political platforms profess support for Israel, foreign policy that makes side deals with nations who want to obliterate Israel does not back that professed support.
3. I vote for the family.
From creation, God built the home as the foundation of society (Genesis 1:27, 2:24; Ephesians 5:22–25, 6:1). Any politician who attempts to redefine the biblical foundation of a home and marriage is, in fact, chipping away at the bedrock of society.
(I recently came across a guide that provides a comparison of the party platforms for this election season. It includes these three values as well as several others.)
If my hope were in either presidential candidate—or any federal, state, or local candidate—I would be miserable indeed. I ultimately pray for revival in our nation and know that my greatest calling is to continue to obey the Great Commission of Christ in sharing the gospel.
So, while my hope is not in a candidate, I do intend to vote for candidates on every level who most closely align with these values. And I would encourage you to vote as well—not because you stake your hope on a particular candidate or the political process, but because you don’t. Because you have a broader perspective and a desire to use your liberty as a stranger and pilgrim in this world for the good of the next.
