I voted (mail-in) for the first time today. Ever. I stay away from politics because it tends to divide unnecessarily. I stay away because Jesus says, "My kingdom is not of this world," and I'm a citizen of His kingdom first and foremost. While we each may feel we have a civic duty to vote and build up our communities, it goes too far to urge our views on others or push for political parties, none of which aligns fully with the mission of the Gospel.
Jesus says we are to be the salt of the earth and a savor of life unto life. So here's my question: with the current social climate speeding towards perdition, should we stand aside and not say anything at all? Should we fold our arms and signal that we don't care? I've given considerable thought to this, and here are my thoughts.
First, my faith informs my values. Second, my views of prophecy inform my values. Allow me to elaborate.
I'm a born-again believer in Jesus. The Bible teaches me that His kingdom comes first (Matthew 6:33). I value laws and leaders that give the freedom to spread the good news of the Gospel. Religious freedom is a core value protected by God and, thankfully, the 1st Amendment of our US Constitution. It makes sense to me that any law or individual who pushes back on this principle should be opposed by God's people, at least personally, but sometimes even corporately.
Since satan began this war in heaven, God's law and authority have been under attack. I value the Ten Commandments as a believer. Any good society would do well to make sure that the non-religious precepts of this Law are enforced. No government should tell me who, how, or when to worship. But legislating against murder, stealing, lying, and adultery is not only right, but the duty of a republic to enforce.
Thus, when there are many in society pushing to legalize drugs and abortion (violating the 6th Commandment), normalize sodomy and sexual perversion (violating the 7th Commandment), and fight against the sacred family unit (violating the 5th Commandment), etc, isn't it the Christian duty to speak through the ballot and by voice? And wouldn't silence make one complicit?
During the days of slavery, what was the Christian's duty? Every God-fearing man and woman spoke up about its evils and were involved in their communities to oppose it. The same with alcohol during the days of prohibition. To not speak out was wrong and a moral evil. But say that if we spoke so strongly about slavery, we could lose our witness with slave owners and sympathizers. Or if we oppose alcohol so strongly, we could lose our witness with those who take the opposite political stance. These were two constitutional issues that I'm proud to say my church found themselves on the right side of historically.
However, what will be said of our generation if we fail to speak up about two of the biggest cultural issues of our day that are also political? Abortion and sexual immorality. Shall we keep silent? In fact, what I see, so sadly, are Christians, who bear the name of Christ, supporting people and parties that have so boldly and loudly declared they support and even urge the holocaust on the unborn and want to see the institution of marriage dissolved into meaninglessness. Shall there be one saint among God's people willing to risk their eternal life by voting for and vocally supporting those who oppose God's law so defiantly?
"Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You? They gather together against the life of the righteous, and condemn innocent blood" (Psalm 94:20-21).
"It is time for You to act, O Lord, for they have regarded Your law as void" (Psalm 119:126).
I cringe when ministers endorse and agitate political issues. But I also cringe when ministers are silent about the attack on the Law of God and the marginalization and belittling of Jesus and His followers,
"Indignation has taken hold of me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law" (Psalm 119:53).
Ah... but prophecy. Prophecy says (Rev. 13 and 14) that one day soon, our government and the nations of the world will enact a worldwide law that will force people to worship contrary to God's Commandments. The mark of the beast will be forced worship. Some suggest that this will come from the "religious right" and are thus very wary of voting for someone from that camp. This might be the case. But there are just as many apostate Christians who would support this beast's law on the left as there are on the right. Thus it would be dangerous and, I would say, foolish to simply vote for someone because of fear of what "could" happen. Vote your conscience on people and issues not from fear or loyalty to a party, but on principles that you value.
So while prophecy warns of future religious coercion, current societal decay still requires our active voice for principles of life, freedom, and respect for God’s law. To my first point, God's kingdom is not of this world, but we are to be the salt of this earth while we are here. Notice:
"When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan" (Proverbs 29:2).
"And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace" (Jeremiah 29:7).
"Open your mouth for the speechless (the unborn?), in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy" (Proverbs 31:8-9).
"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Read also Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2:13-17. Oh, and Romans 12:18: "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." And 1 Peter 3:11, "Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it."
I have no fear about the future of this nation. It will self-destruct after pushing the mark of the beast. But God's people will be safe. Until that time, I'm convicted to do my duty and vote for life and freedom, wherever that may be. Silent no longer. Not voting from fear of what may be, but of what is in front of me (hey, that rhymed!). Anyway, I trust God's people will conscientiously recognize the part they have a duty to play. While our faith is under attack by the culture and a political movement, let us work harder to share the good news of Jesus while we still can. In the meanwhile, I'll do my part to oppose those who would shut down the Christian voice.
Read the following quote very carefully and prayerfully:
“We are not doing the will of God if we sit in quietude, doing nothing to preserve liberty of conscience. Fervent, effectual prayer should be ascending to heaven that this calamity may be deferred until we can accomplish the work which has so long been neglected. Let there be most earnest prayer, and then let us work in harmony with our prayers. It may appear that Satan is triumphant and that truth is overborne with falsehood and error; the people over whom God has spread His shield, and the country which has been an asylum for the conscience-oppressed servants of God and defenders of His truth, may be placed in jeopardy. But God would have us recall His dealings with His people in the past to save them from their enemies. He has always chosen extremities, when there seemed no possible chance for deliverance from Satan's workings, for the manifestation of His power. Man's necessity is God's opportunity. It may be that a respite may yet be granted for God's people to awake and let their light shine. If the presence of ten righteous persons would have saved the wicked cities of the plain, is it not possible that God will yet, in answer to the prayers of His people, hold in check the workings of those who are making void His law? Shall we not humble our hearts greatly before God, flee to the mercy seat, and plead with Him to reveal His mighty power?
"If our people continue in the listless attitude in which they have been, God cannot pour upon them His Spirit. They are unprepared to co-operate with Him. They are not awake to the situation and do not realize the threatened danger. They should feel now, as never before, their need of vigilance and concerted action. ” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 713-714).
If you've made it this far, praise God! If you have a strongly worded rebuke for me, you are welcome to send me a personal message first. I'm still teachable.
Please filter your comments through the Spirit, without anger, passion, or a lack of self-control. But please do share what you think in a reasoned and kind way.
May we combine prayer with action and seek God’s guidance in every civic responsibility, knowing our ultimate allegiance is to His kingdom.
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Wyatt Allen served as a traveling evangelist and associate speaker for Amazing Facts for over six years. He served as a pastor and conference evangelist in the Indiana Conference for the past three years. He recently moved with his wife and three children (Purity, Zealous, and Simplicity) to Weimar, California, to pursue a Biblical Mission and Wellness graduate degree. His miracle-life story is documented in his book The Least of the Least.