1.) Voting publicly recognizes that we submit to the authority of the political system in our nation as established by God. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. … ” (Romans 13:1–7).
2.) Voting recognizes the equality of all people and their right to speak and be heard. “For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt” Deut. 10:17–19.
3.) It is one way that we can obey God’s command to seek the good of those around us and our nation as a whole. “Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished” (Jeremiah 29:5–6).
4.) It shows that we care deeply about who our leaders are as we are urged to offer prayer and intercession on their behalf. “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
5.) It is a simple yet significant way we can do something about politics in our nation. ‘All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing’, Edmund Burke. “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Psalms 34:14).
6.) It makes a difference the way a grain of salt makes a difference, and that is how we are to influence our society for good. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men” (Matthew 5:13).
7.) It is a privilege not to be taken for granted. Those of us who reap the benefits of living in a democracy should play a part in upholding democracy.
8.) Not voting is a form of voting, as it will influence the outcome. We need to take responsibility for our actions, as well as our lack of actions. “… A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:25–37).
9.) Voting has biblical precedence for example Acts 14:23 describes that the early Christians elected elders by voting. “And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.”
10.) Voting is part of our stewardship to use all the resources we have been given in ways that honor God; to waste a vote is to squander a gift
Originally Published to Christian Today by Dr. Krish Kandiah President of London School of Theology and founder of the fostering and adoption charity Home for Good
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