OPINION:
As I’ve traveled across the nation this year, I’ve had many opportunities to share my work mobilizing Christians to engage in the political process. What continues to surprise me, however, is that many believers tell me they do not plan to vote because their vote “doesn’t matter.”
Some tell me, “I already know who is going to win in my state.” Others claim, “I don’t know any of the people on the ballot. I wouldn’t even know who to vote for.” Still, others tell me that it doesn’t matter who gets elected because the problems will still be the same.
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Regardless of our opinions, it’s important to look at what God’s Word states about the importance of being involved in our communities.
At the most basic level, we are called to love our neighbor as ourselves. How does this apply to voting? Let’s look at three biblical motivations that we can apply to this important season.
1. Love your neighbor
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If I care about my “neighbor” in the womb, the preborn child, I should do what I can to support candidates and policies that best protect the sanctity of his or her life. This single issue should motivate believers to vote for the most pro-life candidates possible at every level, from the president to local officials.
Following the Dobbs decision in 2022, laws concerning abortion have returned to individual states, making the importance of supporting pro-life state officials more important than ever. There is no excuse for a Christian to ignore standing up for life through their vote.
When we look at our communities, we can take that even further. Good policies help people. Bad policies hurt people.
I believe the most loving thing we can do as we attempt to “love our neighbors” is to elect righteous leaders who will advocate for biblical values and policies that will help families thrive, prosperity to flourish, and liberties to be protected. As Christians, when we are not stewarding well the gift that the Founders gave us to elect our representatives, then we are not loving our neighbors.
2. Be a voice for the voiceless
A second biblical principle is found in Proverbs 31:8-9: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Who are those who cannot speak up for themselves in your community? Some examples include children, the poor, the sick, trafficking victims, prisoners, and others who are in situations that force them to rely on those who can vote to help them. State and local elections offer many ways to make an impact, but only if we get involved and vote for officials who care about the needs in our communities and respond with the care that God calls us to.
Christians should be bold and courageous to speak up for the helpless – not just advocating for them to have more access to government programs, but to bring solutions together within churches, businesses, and community nonprofits. We can be the peacemakers and the unifiers to bring all the players together and to figure out how we can serve together to take care of others.
3. Stand firm for truth
A third biblical principle relevant to Christian voting is standing firm for truth. This phrase is often used in Scripture, but one of my favorite passages on this theme is Philippians 1:27-28:
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.”
The Bible calls us to live “worthy” of the Gospel. This includes standing firm in the Spirit, in unity, and without fear. Our vote is one way to oppose the evil in our culture as we stand up for policies that affirm biblical truth.
I made a vow years ago that I would not reach my 80s or 90s and be forced to tell my children and grandchildren that I did not fight to protect their liberties, children, or our society from ideologies that seek to destroy people.
4. A thriving nation
One last overlooked value of supporting candidates with the best possible biblical worldview is the prosperity of our nation as a whole. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
These words provide a clear contrast for a thriving culture. If we want more joy in America, we must make the effort to vote for and support candidates who are righteous. There are no perfect candidates, but we can make the effort to choose the individuals whose platforms most closely align with biblical values.
In 2020, those of us who live in Dallas County had to deal with a tyrannical county judge who shut life down for all of us – bringing depression and instability into people’s lives. But right up the road, Collin County never shut down because of their fearless leader. Don’t tell me the leaders we elect don’t matter.
We must use discernment and wisdom and get the information we need to make godly decisions. That’s why Christians Engaged has created the “Biblical Roadmap to the Party Platforms.” This downloadable guide offers details on the views of each major party platform on key biblical issues, like religious liberty, justice, debt and taxation, marriage, the sanctity of life and more, allowing you to make an informed decision on Election Day.
What are you waiting for?
Did you know early voting has already started in some states? Are you registered to vote? Do you know where to vote? Check out our voting resources for every state in the nation and sign our pledge now to pray, vote, and engage in this election – and every election. When you do, you’ll receive alerts for your state’s elections so you can be part of making an eternal impact in the lives of your neighbors and our nation.
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Bunni Pounds is president and founder of Christians Engaged, a ministry activating the Body of Christ to pray, vote, and engage regularly, as well as the host of Conversations With Christians Engaged, seen here on The Stream each week. She is also the vice president of civic and church engagement for the Family Policy Alliance and the Family Policy Alliance Foundation. Her book, Jesus and Politics: One Woman’s Walk with God in a Mudslinging Profession, was released in February.
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