We don’t have a political problem – we have a spiritual problem in our nation. It’s so easy to get “caught up” because things manifest in the political realm, but, at the end of the day, we’re not chasing politics – the Church is not trying to get into politics – politics is chasing us. It’s come to our doorstep – to our schools, and into our children’s lives. It has encroached and overreached into our lives.
So, now we must give an answer. We must get on our knees and fight like men and women of God and fight this good fight of faith. We start with our Vote. We don’t want to be one of the thirty to forty million Christians who neglected their duty and stayed home in 2020. That election was strategically lost in a swing state by 42,000 votes. Christians could have made all the difference, but they failed to show up!
That means we are where we are because we didn’t show up and do our duty. We didn’t exercise our right and our power to vote. It’s tempting and easy to get spun up in this ethos of propaganda and deception, but we must, as followers of Jesus, keep our eyes on the “Prize.” None of this has taken him by surprise. But, hope is not lost. We should hold on to great hope for our nation and not be worried or fearful.
“The American Church stands at the precipice of the most important decisions in modern history: boldly cling to, proclaim, and rely on the truth – or buckle. Put another way, the choice is this: choose freedom, life, and liberty, or sacrifice those things on the altar of comfort, political correctness, and convenience. The fact of the matter is that we don’t need quick fixes from PennsylvaniaAvenue; truly the answer will not be coming from the White House, the State House, from Wall Street, nor Hollywood, but from God’s house.” – Pastor Jack Hibbs
“We were born for such a time as this” – Esther 4:14
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” – John Adams, 2nd President of the United States
God has established these institutions: Family – State – Church
1] God establishes the Family in Genesis 2
2] God established the Church (officially in Acts 2)
3] The Bible also teaches that Government was God’s idea. God established the institution of the State – i.e. government
Romans 13:1 ESV – Submission to the Authorities
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
Many don’t realize that there is a “right” time for civil disobedience. When man’s laws try to supercede God’s laws, then we have a decision to make – do we follow God’s laws or man’s? – like when the disciples were forbidden to preach in Jesus’ name.
Acts 4:18-20 ESV
“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.’ ”
Not outright rebellion, but informed, righteous, civil disobedience. All authority is first from God, but people can pervert that and take it into themselves, as Nebuchadnezzar did.
Daniel 3:14,15 ESV
“Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, ‘Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I have set up? Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, to fall down and worship the image that I have made, well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?’ ”
Then, we are called to take a stand wherever we are. When the whole world begins to bow down to unrighteous idols of authority, if we simply stand in God’s righteousness, we will stand out.
America is not a democracy, which in reality is just mob-rule. Contrary to the cultural narrative, we do not live in a democracy, we live in a Constitutional Republic – where the elected leaders are representatives of the people! If the leaders of that republic are elected to represent the people, then who are the leaders of that republic? – the people! That’s why our Constitution begins with…
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Our leaders are supposed to represent our interests at different levels. We operate under the Rule of Law. The Constitution was designed to limit government, not people. That is our guiding principle. Thirty-four percent of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence came from the Bible – the Word of God. In a Constitutional Republic, the elected leaders – public servants – are there to serve the will and the heart of the people. They are the representatives of “We the People”.
Regarding the State
We the People are at the top of the org chart, and the Government with “limited powers” is at the bottom. If we the people do not participate in the governmental system, then the enemy will fill the vacuum that we’ve created. Whatever God creates, Satan always tries to capture. We need to participate, by voting, letting our voices be heard, and by running for office at the local, state, and national levels. But, if we abdicate our responsibility to lead, then Satan will always be happy to step in and fill the void in our absence.
Regarding the Family
In Genesis 2, God established the Family with Adam and Eve in the Garden. In Genesis 3, Adam is passive and Eve gets tempted to rebel by the Serpent. When Adam abdicated his role as the leader of his family, Satan gladly stepped in and filled the void of leadership.
Regarding the Church
In Acts 2, God established the Church. In Revelations 2 and 3, there were churches with weak, wimpy pastors who led their church to tolerate sin, and as a result, Satan stepped forward, filled the leadership void, and began to take over the leadership of those churches.
If godly strong people will not lead the State, Satan will fill the void. If godly strong men will not lead their Families, Satan will fill the void. If godly strong pastors do not lead their Churches, Satan will fill the void. If godly people won’t lead their nation through voting, godless people will. That’s where we find ourselves today, but it’s not too late. We’re not at the end of an empire, but this is a set-up for a God-kind of come-back!
A study from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center reveals that around 32 million self-identified Christians who attend church may abstain from voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Factors like dissatisfaction with both major party candidates and a general disinterest in politics contribute to this potential non-participation. The research also highlights a significant decline in voter enthusiasm since 2020. We should say, “Not on our watch!” We are connected to a lot of people, and if there was ever a time to speak up and ask our friends and family if they’re planning to vote, it’s now.
The research then asked people who indicated they were not likely to vote to explain the reasons for that choice. The most common reason, offered by two-thirds of the non-voters, was a lack of interest in politics and elections. More than half of those surveyed expressed dissatisfaction with both primary contenders, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. Additionally, 55% felt that neither candidate adequately represents their personal values.
George Barna, evangelical pollster, is urging pastors and ministry leaders to encourage church members to fulfill their civic responsibility by voting on November 5th. “This research underscores the fact that simply encouraging people to vote in order to fulfill their biblical responsibility would not only be seen as doing their job while helping the community, but
an estimated five million regular church-goers would be likely to vote as a result of that simple exhortation.”
“When Christians do not vote, we are abdicating our leadership position in the Constitutional Republic that God has placed us in – and it’s a form of rebellion against God, in the exact same way that it would be wrong for a husband to refuse to lead his family or it would be wrong for a pastor to refuse to lead his church.” – Pastor Josh Howerton, Lakepointe Church
We are at a crossroads as a nation, and we have got to get out and do our duty – to let our voices be heard and to exercise our power – and vote! We need to understand how important this is.
Reasons unlikely voters do not want to vote – among people of faith surveyed:
68% – not interested in politics and elections
52% – believe their one vote will not make a difference
57% – dislike all the major candidates
50% – think that the election has become too controversial
55% – feel that none of the candidates reflect their most important views 48% – believe the election result will be rigged
48% – don’t know enough about the candidates to choose one
What would motivate non-voting people of faith to vote?
17% – if churches taught that voting is a biblical responsibility
14% – if family or friends were convincing about the importance of voting 14% – if they thought the race was close enough for their vote to make a difference 14% – if they received an unbiased, objective briefing of what each of the major candidates supports and opposes
10% – if a religious leader they highly respect endorsed a presidential candidate
If even 10-15% of non-voters were activated, that could increase turnout by millions and potentially affect the outcome of an election.
“When the biblical influence is removed from society, the depravity of man becomes evident.” – Rick Green, Founder of The Patriot Academy
“When Christians do not vote, you are abdicating your leadership position in the Constitutional Republic that God has placed you in… and it’s a form of rebellion against God, in the exact same way that it would be wrong for a husband to refuse to lead his family or it would be wrong for a pastor to refuse to lead his church.” – Pastor Josh Howerton
Proverbs 29:2 NKJV
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
Original Question: Would Jesus Vote?
I say absolutely and emphatically YES! Because Jesus would not abdicate the responsibility that God had given him.
Matthew 22:17-21 ESV
“ ‘Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?’ But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.’ And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, ‘Whose likeness and inscription is this?’ They said, ‘Caesar’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ “
What Voting Is Not
1] A Vote Is Not A Valentine – “But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.’ ” –1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
We’re not looking to vote for the perfect person, because there’s not one. Also, we need to get our eyes off of individual candidates and realize that we’re voting for a platform which is a movement, and from five to eight thousand appointments that are impacted by our vote.
2] A Ballet Box is Not a Mail Box for You to Send A Message to D.C. – Many Christians think like this, “Well, neither candidate meets my standards so I’m going to send a message by not voting, I’ll show them! ” Our non-vote is a vote. Our absence will just be back-filled with another vote, and it won’t be the one we want. There’s no point in sending a message if no one is listening. The goal isn’t to make a point, the goal is to make a difference.
3] A Selection is Not a Sacrament. This isn’t Baptism, Communion, or a Wedding – it’s a choice If we’re waiting to vote until every part of a candidate’s personality or platform lines up perfectly with our ideas, we will never vote and we will abdicate our responsibility to lead our nation as a biblical citizen that we’re exercising for the direction we want our country to go and for who we think can go toe-to-toe with evil world leaders.
“Unless Jesus is on the ballot, you will always have to vote for a candidate that you never agree with 100%.” – Rick Green
What Voting Is
1] Voting is using your power to pick the best available path forward.
2] We are voting for a platform and five to eight thousand appointments – not the perfect path forward. We want people to come to America – but legally, and in the right way.
3] Voting for the platform that is either:
Pro-Life or Pro-Death (the murder of babies in the womb).
Pro Securing Our Borders or Pro Open Borders (criminals entering our country unchecked and paving the way for sex trafficking of children, drug cartels and gangs, and human trafficking).
Pro-Peace or Pro-War (which is a government-run, money laundering scam). Pro Freedom or Pro Dependence (upon countries that hate us and our way of life and want to destroy us).
Pro Parental Rights or Pro Child Choice (regarding the mutilation of their bodies and genitalia without parental consent or even knowledge).
Matthew 5:13-16 ESV – Salt and Light
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
We are called to be salt and light. Salt preserves (delays the decay) and enhances the flavor. We have a choice to make – will we delay the decay by being salt or give in and let the darkness do what it wants – enveloping everything? The Bible says what’s done in darkness will be shouted from the rooftops at some point. The season of “reveal” is in full swing right now – things are being exposed, outed, and illumined – because that’s what light does, and we’re called to be that where we live, work, and play. Light illumines that we may see and find our way along a path and expose and reveal what was once in the darkness. Light dispels and eradicates darkness.
We can make a difference. Our voice and our vote matter. We’re touching and rearranging five to eight thousand appointments when we vote. Our vote counts. We must commit to get out and tell our friends that it matters. We can tell them that one fact: “You know, you’re not voting for an individual, but for a platform that most aligns with a biblical worldview.” Then, participate – uphold the standard that God gave us as a nation for righteousness’ sake!
Prayer
Father, thank You for the privilege of living in a nation that has stood for nearly two hundred and fifty years. But, Lord, we’re in a crisis right now and we need Your help. We, as followers of Jesus, have an opportunity to make a difference right here where we live, work, and play in Fredericksburg, Texas, regardless of Washington, D.C. You’ve called us to be salt and light in our own communities. That’s what we want to do today.
We’re asking, Holy Spirit, what would You have us do to take this message and activate it in the week ahead? Who do You want us to talk to? – to ask the question? – to share the Gospel with this week? Thank You that You’re leading us, teaching us, motivating us, and empowering us …to deploy us for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on The Bridge
Featured Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay
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