The upcoming election weighs heavy on many of our hearts. The gathering of Christians to pray for our country and the election heartens me. But I believe we must also vote responsibly. We must weigh the policies the candidates represent in light of biblical wisdom before we cast our vote. As believers, we represent Christ in all we do—including how we vote.
How would Jesus vote? Jesus lived according to God’s Word in every aspect of His life. The human heart has not changed and neither have God’s timeless truths. Our founding fathers recognized that God’s values, as revealed in the Ten Commandments and the whole of Scriptures, are the foundation of a healthy society.
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people” (Pro. 14:34 NIV).
In looking at David’s terrible fall with Bathsheba. I’m reminded that even good men can fail miserably. That is why our founding fathers established a system of checks and balances to limit the power of each branch of government. Courts protect citizens by making sure our laws don’t violate our constitution. When judges redefine terms to manipulate laws according to their personal biases, we lose the protection our system established.
Last week a group of us gathered to pray and my friend Macon Newby shared some thoughts. Because her husband serves on the NC Supreme Court, Macon has a front row seat to how those in office impact our state and nation. I’ve asked her to share her wisdom with you today. I’ve also included a link to a voter guide after her thoughts. Now here’s Macon.
A Christian’s Responsibility Today
As a Christian, I yearn to do what God wants me to do because He loved me enough to send His precious Son, to die for me and save me from my sins. God tells me in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 that I should pray that those in authority would protect my religious freedom which includes my right to personally worship God but also to share the gospel.
God directs me with civic responsibility in Matthew 22:21 “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.” For believers in America, I believe that means we are to pay our taxes. I also think that means we should vote. I think Paul, Peter, Silas, etc. would be absolutely floored that Christians in America are blessed with the privilege and responsibility of voting, choosing godly leaders or others who support religious liberty and don’t exercise that right! If we are going to have to give an account for every idle word that we speak (Matthew 12:36), how about our vote?
How do I vote? Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me; the life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me and gave Himself for me.”
That means when I vote, Jesus is voting through me. How would He vote? I believe He would open the Bible, God’s Holy Word, and He would go down every point of party platforms, testing each point with God’s Word.
That means when I vote, Jesus is voting through me. How would He #vote? #Election2020 Click To TweetThe founding documents of our nation and state (NC) clearly acknowledge that our rights come from God and that the role of government is to protect these God-given rights. My prayer is that Christians in North Carolina and across this nation will vote in accordance with these truths.
Bio
Macon Newby was born in Wilson, NC and is an identical twin. She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a BS in Business Administration and UNC Law School. After clerking at the NC Court of Appeals, she married Paul Newby who currently serves on the NC Supreme Court. They have 4 children and live in Raleigh, NC. North Carolinians will enjoy the bites of state history Justice Newby shares on his website media page.
Resources
Let’s continue to pray before, during, and after this election. And let’s be informed voters who honor Christ both inside and out of the voter’s booth. For more on Christianity and Politics you may enjoy this sermon.
Voter Guides for Each State
https://millionvoices.org/2020-voter-guides/?utm_source=IDD&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=Voter%20Guide%202020%20-%20TEXT
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory #Recharge Wednesday, #WorthBeyondRubies #TuneinThursaday, #Grace&Truth,
Debbie, I so appreciate your sharing these good thoughts from your friend. Really, what I want to do is hide under my bed on November 3rd, but instead I will go with Jesus to the polls.
Michele, I do too. Be still, my heart, be still. God is on the throne.
Debbie, very appropriate message to have in our hearts as we prepare to , or have already, vote. Thanks for sharing. BTW, we voted for Paul Newby and are praying for him!
Thank you, Sara! Amen!
Thank you for sharing this perspective. I voted already due to not being available on election day. I prayed and asked God to go before me to ensure I was making a choice that honored Him and aligned with His Word. This political climate is more intense than I’ve ever remembered, but it offers a great opportunity to see God’s hand at work.
Thank you, Lisa. We pray and vote and trust God. Amazing that He wants us to do our part and then He does what only He can do.
Thank you ladies. I could not agree more; we must #VoteTheBible and #StandUpForChrist.
Amen! Thank you, J.D.!
We shall go to the polls and vote. And, Jesus will be right there with us!
How wonderful to work together as the body of Christ. Thanks, Susan!
Really excellent and balanced advice. This is the most important election of my life and of many of our lives and we dare not approach the voting booth without praying first.
I agree Ann. We need God’s guidance and mercy.
Excellent word. in the middle of this chaos, God is the one who holds all things together by His sovereign power. He calls us to obedience and trust. A balancing act sometimes.
Yes it is! Thanks, Jeanne.
Excellent post.
We, as Christians, need to according to God’s standards and values.
AND we need to pray!
I was pleased to share your post on Twitter.
Thank you so much, Connie!
Great, timely, wise message. Thank you.
Thank you, Nancy!
Thanks for sharing and also for including the links to voting guides. It is key for Christians to look at how the politician’s platforms stack up to Biblical truths. I am really praying for wisdom in the voting booths by Christians and non-Christians alike this year.
Joanna, I’m praying too. We certainly need God’s intervention. Jonathan Cahn is calling for a day of fasting and prayer on Election Day.