Christian Devotional - Go Vote!
I took my car for an oil change the other day. While I was waiting, I overheard another conversation between two people talking about politics and the upcoming Presidential election. One of the people made the following statement,
“I’m not going to vote at all this year because I just don’t like either of the candidates for President.”
I must admit, I was frustrated and upset by this statement and while there is a part of me that understands that sentiment, it’s the wrong response to take to our frustration. As we look forward to the upcoming Election Day this Tuesday in the United States, let me share with you why we as Christians need to make sure we make the time to vote.
Romans 13:1, 5-7 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.…Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
Paul is speaking here to the early church in Rome. There, people were starting to believe that because they were Christians, they didn’t have to obey or follow the Roman laws and rules that they were under. They should only answer to God and that is all. Paul says no. We are to live in obedience to our governing authorities as long as they’re not asking us to be in direct disobedience to God. Paul even goes so far as to say that those who govern are also servant to God and are answerable to Him for how they have ruled. They have an even greater responsibility to God for their actions because their decisions affect millions, if not billions of lives. They will be held accountable to God for how they administered their rule.
Here in America, we have the privilege to have a say in who has the auspicious role of governing. As such, we are held responsible by God to do our part in help ensure that the people who are given the leadership responsibilities of our country align most closely with the principles and characteristics that God has given us. This is just as much our responsibility as obeying God in our daily life.
How should we choose who we vote for? The answer is quite simple, although often difficult to identify. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to cast our ballot for people who are seeking to line up with the Godly principles we ourselves hold to. We are not to cast our ballot selfishly or with strictly personal motives. Many times, like in my overheard conversation above, I’ve found myself with a difficult decision where neither of the main candidates is really exceptional at obeying God, or even trying to obey God. For me, I still seek to find the person who comes closest to God’s principles on all the main issues. I don’t vote for people based on their race, age, who they’re married to, what political party they hold to, how many kids they have, or what I think that person is going to do for me personally. I vote for the person who most closely holds themselves to the principles that a follower of Jesus Christ would hold to. This is my guiding principle whether I’m voting for the local school board member or the President of the United States.
Every election is difficult and I’ve never seen a perfect candidate yet. Since Jesus Christ was the only perfect person, I think it’s safe to assume there will never be a perfect candidate. However, as believers, we are accountable for exercising our responsibility to place men and women in public office who see themselves, first and foremost, as servants of the living God, and who will seek to endorse and support the characteristics of God with each decision they make.
On Tuesday, November 6, in the United States, make the choice to go vote, not because we have a perfect candidate to choose from, but because we are accountable to God for how we use this great responsibility He has allowed us to have.
Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker
Living in the World – Living out the Word
Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page
***Also vote for me as one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" now through November 11. Click here for the contest and voting information. ***www.BooksByAmanda.com
“I’m not going to vote at all this year because I just don’t like either of the candidates for President.”
I must admit, I was frustrated and upset by this statement and while there is a part of me that understands that sentiment, it’s the wrong response to take to our frustration. As we look forward to the upcoming Election Day this Tuesday in the United States, let me share with you why we as Christians need to make sure we make the time to vote.
Romans 13:1, 5-7 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.…Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
Paul is speaking here to the early church in Rome. There, people were starting to believe that because they were Christians, they didn’t have to obey or follow the Roman laws and rules that they were under. They should only answer to God and that is all. Paul says no. We are to live in obedience to our governing authorities as long as they’re not asking us to be in direct disobedience to God. Paul even goes so far as to say that those who govern are also servant to God and are answerable to Him for how they have ruled. They have an even greater responsibility to God for their actions because their decisions affect millions, if not billions of lives. They will be held accountable to God for how they administered their rule.
Here in America, we have the privilege to have a say in who has the auspicious role of governing. As such, we are held responsible by God to do our part in help ensure that the people who are given the leadership responsibilities of our country align most closely with the principles and characteristics that God has given us. This is just as much our responsibility as obeying God in our daily life.
How should we choose who we vote for? The answer is quite simple, although often difficult to identify. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to cast our ballot for people who are seeking to line up with the Godly principles we ourselves hold to. We are not to cast our ballot selfishly or with strictly personal motives. Many times, like in my overheard conversation above, I’ve found myself with a difficult decision where neither of the main candidates is really exceptional at obeying God, or even trying to obey God. For me, I still seek to find the person who comes closest to God’s principles on all the main issues. I don’t vote for people based on their race, age, who they’re married to, what political party they hold to, how many kids they have, or what I think that person is going to do for me personally. I vote for the person who most closely holds themselves to the principles that a follower of Jesus Christ would hold to. This is my guiding principle whether I’m voting for the local school board member or the President of the United States.
Every election is difficult and I’ve never seen a perfect candidate yet. Since Jesus Christ was the only perfect person, I think it’s safe to assume there will never be a perfect candidate. However, as believers, we are accountable for exercising our responsibility to place men and women in public office who see themselves, first and foremost, as servants of the living God, and who will seek to endorse and support the characteristics of God with each decision they make.
On Tuesday, November 6, in the United States, make the choice to go vote, not because we have a perfect candidate to choose from, but because we are accountable to God for how we use this great responsibility He has allowed us to have.
Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker
Living in the World – Living out the Word
Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page
***Also vote for me as one of the "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" now through November 11. Click here for the contest and voting information. ***www.BooksByAmanda.com
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