To Vote or Not to Vote?
Should Christians vote?
Let’s remind ourselves of the following verses –
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence [that is, not from this world].” (John 18:36)
“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” (John 17: 14-16)
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,…”
(2 Corinthians 6:17)
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 3:20)
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, …” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
“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.” (Romans 13:1)
“These [Old Testament saints such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and others mentioned in this chapter] all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13)
What we learn from these verses –
1. The Lord Jesus said that His kingdom is not of this world. This world is
Satan’s – he is the god of this world… Christ did not come to fix or to reform
or to make this world better; He came to save it. (John 3:17)
2. The Christian is a citizen of heaven. We are in the world as “ambassadors
for Christ.” (An ambassador is a representative of his/her homeland who
resides in a foreign land). Furthermore, like those of old, we are “strangers
and pilgrims” on this earth – just passing through on our way home, where
the Lord Jesus Christ is.
3. All of us should be subject to the government authorities.
4. We should pray for all those in authority, “that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
If Christians vote, we may elect the wrong person(s). We read that “the powers that be are ordained [or appointed] of God.” We should allow God to place certain ones in elected office so that His purposes will be accomplished.
We should absolutely heed Timothy’s exhortation, that “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. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2: 1-3)
I’m but a Stranger Here
I’m but a stranger here,
Heaven is my home;
Earth is a desert drear,
Heaven is my home;
Danger and sorrow stand
Round me on every hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.
What though the tempest rage,
Heaven is my home;
Short is my pilgrimage,
Heaven is my home;
And time’s wild wintry blast
Soon shall be overpast;
I shall reach home at last,
Heaven is my home;
There, at my Saviour’s side,
Heaven is my home;
I shall be glorified,
Heaven is my home;
There are the good and blest,
Those I love most and best;
And there I too shall rest,
Heaven is my home;
Therefore I murmur not,
Heaven is my home;
Whatever my earthly lot,
Heaven is my home;
And I shall surely stand
There at my Lord’s right hand;
Heaven is my fatherland,
Heaven is my home.
I’m But a Stranger Here by Thomas Rawson Taylor, Author (1807-1835)
Published in many hymn books