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The Faithful Futures podcast is all about knowing Jesus more intimately.
Through Gods word we will dive into subjects effecting the next generation of Christians and hopefully be able to provide a few things:
1. Help in navigating difficult things
2. Bring the next generation closer to Christ and to know him on a personal level
3. Dive into difficult/taboo subjects that aren't talked about a whole lot
We hope you get encouragement out of this show and all questions and comments can be emailed to dakota@faithfulfuturespodcast.com or on our website at https://faithfulfuturespod.transistor.fm/
Hey, guys. Dakota here with the Faithful Futures podcast. I'm your host for this episode on should Christians not vote. On Tuesday, millions of Christians will vote in the primary election of the United States of America. And according to a study from the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, this year, some 41,000,000 Christians will abstain from voting.
Speaker 1:The research pinpointed several reasons why Christians are stepping away from the voting booth. 68% lack interest in politics and elections. 57% dislike all major candidates. 55% feel none of the candidates reflect their most important views, and 52% believe their vote will not make a difference, and then another 48% think the election result result will be manipulated. This obviously raises some questions.
Speaker 1:Are Christians required to vote? Is it a Christian duty to vote? Is it negligent for a Christian not to vote, or should Christians shoot choose the lesser of 2 evils? These are are some of the questions that hopefully we'll work through in this episode, but first, let's just read some scriptures right here, to kinda start it all off. And, I've just heard this question a lot.
Speaker 1:As a Christian, should we vote for the lesser of 2 evils, or should we vote at all as Christians, or should we abstain? And it just seems like I've heard that a lot this year, and so I wanted to just shoot this episode and hopefully have the right perspective on it here. But, Romans 13:1 says, 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. God has told us to be subject to authority that is over us because, ultimately, the reason they are in power is because of him.
Speaker 1:And we'll get into wicked leaders in a little bit, but at the end of the day, God has put those in authority. He raises up kings by his will and takes kings down by his will. 1st Timothy chapter 2 verses 1 through 2 says, I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and 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. We should pray for our leaders. I've heard many Christians say that they were they weren't going to pray for a current president, Joe Biden.
Speaker 1:I I may not agree with him in a lot of ways, but to say that I I wouldn't pray for this man is like saying, basically, that I hate him and that I do not care of the state of his soul. This is this is a a sad mindset for a Christian. We should all the more pray for him if he is living and instituting non Christian policies that contradict God's word. We should pray for our leaders even if we don't like them, even more so if we don't like them and like what they stand for. Acts chapter 5 in in verse 29, when it comes to, you know, people wanting to rebel against the government or they want to do this or they want to do that, but, this doesn't mean anarchy.
Speaker 1:That's not what the Bible is talking about here. It's talking about that if the precepts of man are contradicting God's word and God's commandments, then we must obey God rather than man. If somebody holds me at gunpoint and tells me to curse God, then I have to obey God rather than man, or if some tells some someone tells me or tries to force me to sin in any capacity, right, I must obey God rather than men, and that's what that's referring to. It's not talking about all out anarchy and unrule and unrest. That's actually against scripture.
Speaker 1:Another a few other scriptures I wanna read here, 1st Peter chapter 2 verses 9 through 17 says, but ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. Dearly, beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, having your conversation honest among the Gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify god in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well, for so is the will of god, that with well doing, you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of god, honor all men, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.
Speaker 1:What we're going to notice in this passage that we just read is that it lays out kind of this double identity, if you wanna call it that, that we hold as Christians living in a fallen world. First, we're called sojourners and exiles, meaning that this world isn't isn't our home. We're just we're just passing through. But then we're also instructed to be subject to the God appointed authorities around us like governors and kings. So on one hand, we're described as literally slaves of God, and, yes, the word is of slave is used here.
Speaker 1:That doesn't take away from the beautiful reality of also being children of God. Both descriptions are true, and each carries its own depth. Right? We we belong to God alone, ruled and led by him, but at the same time, he sends us into this foreign world to make his glory known through the words of the gospel and the way that we live our lives and portray him. So as I read this, we're gonna see kind of both of this stuff coming through, and we're also children of God, but we're also we're sojourners and we're exiles.
Speaker 1:We're a chosen race, if you will, meaning that we are Christians. We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Now this isn't referring to a specific nation, it's referring to Christianity, us being Christians, to the born again people of God. This is our goal as a Christian, to make God look amazing and glorious in this land where we live as strangers and pilgrims. That first Peter chapter 2, if we if we go back to verses 13 through 14, it says, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king as supreme or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of them that do well.
Speaker 1:This is or rather should be our identity, subjects of God appointed authority. In verses 1516, it says, for so is the will of God, that with well doing, you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as free and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. So now we see that this is the will of God. We've seen this phrase now a couple times, 3 times actually, well doing or or doing good. And and there it is again in verse 15.
Speaker 1:It's our identity as God owned slaves, if I can put it that way, who are in bondage to no man, but also that we know that God has sent us into this foreign land for his sake and for purpose. So as Christians, we're a holy nation. The church, we're God's own possession, and because of that, we're we're sojourners and we're exiles in in every nation on earth, including right here in America. Put simply, we are God's slaves, meaning we belong to him and answer to him above anyone else or anything else. But there is also this second part of our identity as Christians, and this is where this this question comes from.
Speaker 1:Should we vote as Christians? Should we abstain, and and how do we vote? What do we vote? God calls us to willingly submit to earthly authorities, not because they hold ultimate power over us, but because we're called to honor him. We submit to governors and kings and do good in the nations where we live, like America or wherever you may live, all for God's glory.
Speaker 1:This is the core reality that we need to have to keep in mind as we think about things like voting this world that really isn't our home. We are merely sojourners traveling through this land, and this is our temporary home, and we understand that. But we have to remember that God calls us to willingly submit to earthly authorities and live in this present world to bring glory to him. Alright. What's the implications of all of that then?
Speaker 1:What's what's that mean? Should we or should we not vote as Christians? It is my opinion that as Christians, we should vote, and I'll explain why and tell you why I think that, and then we'll read some more scripture and get into a little bit more of it, but, we should vote. We should choose leaders that uphold Christian principles. Yes.
Speaker 1:God is completely in control, but that doesn't mean that we're off the hook when it comes to, I guess, for lack of a better term, advancing his will. Scripture makes it clear that we're called to pray for our leaders. And when it comes to politics and leadership, there are many examples in the Bible where God wasn't pleased with the choices people made. One of those instances is is Hosea at 8 and 4 says they have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I knew it not.
Speaker 1:Of their silver and their gold have they made their made them idols that they may be cut off. The reality is sin has a firm grip on this world, and a lot of the suffering we see comes from godless leadership. Proverbs 2812 says, when righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory. But when the wicked arise, a man is hidden. We're instructed in we're instructed in scripture to respect legitimate authority as long as it doesn't go against God's commands.
Speaker 1:Acts chapter 5 verses 27 through 29 says, and when they had brought them, they set them before the council, and the high priest asked them, saying, did not we straightly command you that you should not teach in his name in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men. Romans 13 says, let every soul be verse 1 through 7 says, let every soul be subject under the higher powers. For there is no power but of God.
Speaker 1:The powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God. And they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power?
Speaker 1:Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. 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 avenger, to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore, you must need to be subject not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Speaker 1:For this cause, pay tribute also, for they are God's ministers according continually upon this very thing. Render, therefore, to all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. And as believers, we should aim to support leaders who are willing to be guided by God himself. And in that that scripture that we just read in Romans chapter 13, we can't back candidate candidates or proposals that that violate biblical principles around life or family or marriage or faith or anything else that contradicts the word of God or any law of God. We cannot, in our right conscience, vote for that person.
Speaker 1:We cannot back a candidate, or we can't back a proposal if it contradicts what God's law says or God's word says. No matter our opinion about it, no matter how we feel emotionally about it, we cannot back that if it contradicts what God has said. Proverbs 1434 says righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. So as Christians, we need to approach voting very, very seriously. It has to be led by prayer and study of God's word and with a clear understanding of what's at stake on the ballot and what we're voting for.
Speaker 1:Now voting is one way that we can do good, one way to make a positive impact as a Christian by by casting a vote for competent, wise, and and good candidates and and Christian candidates or candidates that believe in the word of God and live the word of God. Our hope is that it'll lead to the common good for for more people. Right? That's our goal, but but, honestly, there's there's no biblical truth, at least, that I can find, and if if you find it, please let me know, but there's no biblical truth that makes voting an absolute duty for Christians that I can find. It's one possible good deed among many just as just one way of serving society.
Speaker 1:There's so many other factors to consider that we can't describe voting as a must or as a absolute duty for every Christian. Here's kind of one factor that that makes me think this way. When the responsibility to vote starts to overshadow other core Christian virtues, that means we've taken it too far. Sometimes the reality of a fallen world means that every option on the ballot is so morally compromised and so misleading that it might actually show more integrity or more faithfulness to Christ and a clear witness to the truth if we choose not to vote for any of the candidates. And I know that sounds insane, but sometimes that's the reality of it.
Speaker 1:When the responsibility to vote starts to overshadow other core Christian virtues or things that we believe, if our duty to vote compromises anything that is in God's word, we've taken it way too far. And at that point, it may make more sense as a Christian to abstain from voting. And we're gonna talk a little bit more about that and dive into some more of it. But we can't just assume that choosing not to vote is a is a failure to love our neighbor. In fact, a nonvoter could be doing more, might be doing far more socially transformative good than someone who votes for a lesser evil candidate.
Speaker 1:Life isn't simple. It's very complicated, and Christians are bound to disagree on how to do the most good with our words and our deeds and and how we set an example for others. We need to be careful and not quick to judge each other's well intentioned strategies and how they vote and and their perspective on what may be right about this candidate or what may be wrong about this candidate, but it must line up with God's word at the end of the day. So that kinda leads to our next question. Should Christians pick the lesser of 2 evils?
Speaker 1:Anymore, it seems like our only options to vote for are the lesser of 2 evils if you're a Christian. We hear heated topics about abortion and LGBTQ and all sorts of things that make people nervous to talk about and have people full of emotion when it comes to voting. And when it comes to voting, it is an inherently emotional thing that we do. We want to vote for what's right. We want to vote for the better of the 2, or maybe against the proposal that may be bad or a candidate that may be bad or contradicts God's word in some sort of way or they don't protect the sanctity of life or whatever that may be.
Speaker 1:But it always seems that at the end of the day, we just end up voting for the lesser of the 2 evils set in front of us. I, for 1, don't really like the 2 party system that has been created in America, but it's here and it's what we have to deal with. And, really, unless Jesus is actually on the ballot, every election is essentially a choice between the lesser of 2 evils no matter the party or the platform. The reality is that all have sinned and fell short of the glory of God, yet the question is still a reality. Does our belief in human depravity cancel out our sense of responsibility?
Speaker 1:No. I don't think it does. By God's standard, every one of us is a liar, but that doesn't mean that we would hire somebody we know has a reputation for lying. Jesus taught that if we've ever had lust in our hearts, that we're guilty of adultery, but that doesn't mean that a woman should just accept it if her future husband is a known cheater. Right?
Speaker 1:In our republic, we, the people, delegate to work in and for public justice on our behalf. We've we elect these officials to do that, and really a campaign is is like a job interview. We can't, in good conscience, give someone a job to do evil on our behalf. Sure candidates can break promises once they're in office, or someone who seems upstanding can turn out to be a fraud. It happens.
Speaker 1:It happens all the time. It happens with pastors. It happens with spouses. It happens with employees, you name it. We can we can the list could go on, but being surprised or let down isn't the same as knowingly putting our trust in someone with shady character or harmful policies.
Speaker 1:When we do that, we're responsible too. Saying, well, the the other option is worse, that doesn't necessarily get us off of the hook. Let's let's take military service for an example. Soldiers don't have to agree with everything that a general does to faithfully serve their country. We understand that.
Speaker 1:But if they were ordered to either slaughter innocent civilians or join forces with the country's enemies, a Christian couldn't just pick the lesser of those evils. Both would be wrong, and they'd have to refuse to be involved completely. In the same way, if a Christian doctor had to choose between performing abortions or assisting suicides, she couldn't settle for the lesser evil. She'd have to take a stand and conscientiously object. Now, obviously, not all political issues carry the same moral weight as abortion or some of those issues, and they're not first moral problems.
Speaker 1:And I've voted for candidates that I didn't agree with on things like immigration or tax policies or other economic policies because we agreed on protecting the sanctity of human life, but I wouldn't and couldn't vote for a so called pro life candidate who supports racial injustice or war crimes or other very serious moral breaches. Even if I agree with someone on economic growth or national security, I I can't support them if they deny the personhood of the unborn or restrict religious freedoms in in any capacity. When we're faced with 2 undeniably immoral choices, we can't justify a vote for evil simply because the other option seems worse. Scripture warns us that we're accountable not just for our own actions, but also for approving those who commit wrong. In this fallen world, we know we'll never find a perfect candidate, but that doesn't mean we're free to endorse evil or things that contradict God's word.
Speaker 1:Even if it feels like there's no other choice, we can't align ourselves with injustice or things that contradict God's word. Our actions and our complicity matter, and they echo an eternity. And a final thought, if I see voting as a viable gift and a valuable privilege here in America, and there's usually a way to participate while still honoring your convictions, you can you can write in a candidate you truly believe is worthy even if they're not on the ballot, and that way you can uphold the privilege of voting and the freedom of voting while avoiding the damage of backing unfit candidates that may contradict God's word. I've heard a lot of people say, well, if you if you do that, then you're just given a vote to the other party or you're wasting a vote. And I just simply say that's not the case.
Speaker 1:You're standing for the choices that we make right now. And whether it's voting or whether it's going to the grocery store and how we interact with other people, it doesn't really matter. The things that we do every single day in our actions, they echo in eternity. They matter on an eternal level, and we must keep that in mind when we vote, when we do life, when we do anything. We have to remember that everything that we do echoes in eternity, and it carries eternal weight.
Speaker 1:And so that's why it's so important that we vote aligned with what God wants us to do, and I don't know. That's that's up to you. I don't know if it's abstaining from voting completely. I I don't know for you. I don't know what that means.
Speaker 1:I don't know all the answers to that, but I do know that we can't contradict God's word or elevate things above God's word and just ignore evil and ignore all these things. We have to take stands as Christians, and sometimes maybe that is abstaining from a vote. Maybe that is, standing for something different even if it's contradictory to culture and what they're saying and how we should vote and what we should do. Maybe if 41,000,000 people got together, the people that are abstaining from voting, if those 41,000,000 people got together and and they stood on on concepts like abortion and they stood on different things like that, then maybe, just maybe, houses would start to be changed and things would start to change at a political level from these roles and laws that govern our nation would begin to change whenever 41,000,000 people come together and say, hey. We're not doing this anymore.
Speaker 1:Things that are morally wrong or morally corrupt or depraved. Because, like I said, in Romans 13:1, it says, let every soul be subject onto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. I mean, we have to pray for we should pray for our leaders. We need to pray for America.
Speaker 1:We're never gonna find a perfect candidate. We understand that, but we should never endorse things that contradict God's Word.