Is it acceptable for a Christian to vote one way on a measure, not because they think it is biblical, but because they think it should be a function of government?
Because we are citizens of the Kingdom of Jesus, my opinion is that there could be many ballot measures for which it could be very difficult or impossible to say, “I am casting the biblical vote”. As if there is obviously only one way to vote.
Instead, numerous votes for ballot measures and candidates are not clear cut. We Christians try to apply biblical principles and wisdom to a vote. That is not always easy to do. What that has meant over the centuries is that Christians will often view things differently because they are applying the same biblical principles in different ways. Sometimes this is because they interpret the Bible differently. Which is totally normal.
This is why there are Christians who view the idea of pro-life in very different ways. This is why there are Christians who believe the right to bear arms should be unrestricted, and there are Christians who believe the right to bear arms should be restricted. We could talk about all sorts of issues that Christians disagree about. That is normal. That has always been the case. And yet, we are a part of the same family of God, and we love each other. Jesus is our king. We all are to be seeking to understand his Jesus’ ways and heart more and then act accordingly.
The result is that when it comes to ballot measures, or many other facets of government, we should be very careful not to say that one political party has the one obvious biblical position so we should only vote according to that party’s interpretation. Rather, we should do the work of learning why the other party believes the way they do, asking God for wisdom, all the while not having our hope in any government.
That leads to another: Are there good bible verses to understand this? I think the verses about our citizenship in heaven are very important. Here are three passages about it:
“But our citizenship is in heaven.” Php 3:20
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” Eph 2:19–20
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Pe 2:9–10
All earthly nations are temporary. The Kingdom of God is eternal. Christians should be passionate about the advancement and mission of God’s Kingdom. Because we are also citizens in an earthly nation, it is right to want that nation to be good. It can be very helpful, then, for Christians to engage in politics to help lead the nation to be good.
Just remember to carry your political opinions with grace. There are Christians all over the country voting differently from you, and they believe their vote is the hope for a better future for our country.
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Engaging Scripture 