Who should I vote for: Candidate A (in 2024: Kamala Harris) or Candidate B (Donald Trump)? Maybe this is an easy question for some of you USian Christians. It\u2019s not easy for me. I\u2019m struggling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m not struggling with other questions like how candidate A or B will ultimately come into power<\/a>. God is in control of all governments<\/a> even if people (or the state) don\u2019t use their God-granted authority (to rule, judge, and even condemn)<\/strong> the right way. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m not wrestling with how to act if someone I don\u2019t want in the oval office gets there anyway<\/a>. I have responsibilities to obey the government<\/strong> God put in place. The only time I have a different choice<\/a> is if the ruler pits my obedience to the ruler against my obedience to God<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further, I\u2019m not struggling with the question if I should<\/em> vote<\/a>. Christians, regardless of their locale, should personify the best example of a citizen of a nation under the lordship of Christ<\/strong>. That would mean that a Christian, living in a system where he or she has the freedom and responsibility to mindfully perform civic duties\u2014one of those being voting\u2014should perform those civic duties. In general, I should<\/em> vote. But it doesn\u2019t follow that I (1) always have to vote or (2) have to vote for the candidates nominated by the two biggest parties. If the American democratic system produced Joseph Stalin (the far-left communist dictator) and Adolf Hitler (the far-right Nazi dictator) it doesn\u2019t follow that I must pick one or the other.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the current circumstance, I find myself considering and weighing my options. How do I weigh my options? Before I decide who<\/strong> to vote for, I need to figure out how<\/strong> I\u2019m supposed to vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n First, I need to approach this through God\u2019s commands<\/strong>. God\u2019s moral law is embedded in our fiber, clearly evident in the Ten Commandments and summarized by these two passages: (1) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind; and (2) Love your neighbor as yourself.. (Matt 22:36-40).<\/p>\n\n\n\n By casting a vote for either of these candidates am I committing idolatry or murder or theft? Is it lacking in love to my neighbor to physically cast the vote for candidate A over candidate B? Maybe by implication, but directly? Does this vote offer me an opportunity to treasure God\u2019s commands (Psalm 119:127)? <\/p>\n\n\n\n I am forced to ask a series of questions when considering this dimension of obedience. These non-exhaustive questions would be an out-growth of wondering how voting for A or B would reflect love of God and love of neighbor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Second\u2014though it could come first since most of life isn\u2019t about breaking or obeying commands\u2014I need to use wisdom founded on the fear of God<\/strong>. In other words, I\u2019m not deciding based on only command nor am I purely making a worldly-wise choice based on the workings of the world and the likelihood of X happening if B comes into power. I need to begin with the honor, respect, loyalty, love, and awe that God is due and let that drive my thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Paul speaks about the senseless, the heartless, the merciless and faithless idolaters who are living a life that is against God, he says they \u201cknow God\u2019s righteous decrees\u201d but they don\u2019t care. They know their actions are deadly and \u201cthey not only continue to do these things, but also applaud those who practice them\u201d (Rom 1:31-32). This is the Biblical definition of foolishness: a person who is living outside of the fear of God. There is no concern for what God will do, so these people live how they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God forbid if I were to make decisions without considering God! As a Christian, I can\u2019t live that way. I must reject that foolishness and cling to God-fearing wisdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This wisdom shows itself in a life and hope shaped around the person, holiness, goodness, lovingkindness, and mercy of God. It\u2019s a fear that embraces God\u2019s knowledge (Prov 1:29), seeks God\u2019s wisdom like treasure (Prov 2:5), turns away from evil (Prov 3:7) because it hates evil (Prov 8:1), seeks to preserve life (Prov 10:1), is life-bringing (Prov 14:27), better than any treasure (Prov 15:16), is uniquely satisfying (Prov 19:23), and doesn\u2019t envy sinners (Prov 23:17). This fear of the Lord is clean (Psalm 19:9), teaches us (Ps 34:11), and is ultimately a blessing to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This sort of wisdom should drive me to properly examine any decision. This is less about \u201cwhich commandment am I breaking\u201d to \u201cam I operating with discernment, understanding, knowledge, insight, and discipline under the fear and admonition of the Lord\u201d? <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bible is full of this God-fearing wisdom that says \u201cdon\u2019t make friends with violent people\u201d (Prov 22:24), or \u201cif a ruler listens to lies, all his servants become wicked\u201d (Prov 29:12), or \u201clying lips are an abomination to the Lord\u201d, or \u201cwhoever robs his parents and says \u2018it\u2019s no big deal\u2019 is a destroyer\u201d (Prov 28:24), or \u201cthe Lord hates dishonest scales\u201d (Prov 11:1). \u201cA wicked ruler is as dangerous to the poor as a lion\u201d (Prov 28:15) or \u201cwhen the wicked rule, the people mourn \u201c (Prov 29:12). God fearing wisdom shows itself in a life that \u201cdoes everything in love\u201d (1 Cor 16:4), with thankfulness (1 Thes 5:18), power, and self-control (2 Tim 1:7). <\/p>\n\n\n\n God-fearing wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, impartial, sincere, and not hypocritical (James 3:17). This is a wisdom that accepts the ownership and mastery of God over all things of life (1 Cor 2:14-16) and acts according to what God has said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If some anti-X law resulted in a market that thrived on illegal X-activity? That doesn\u2019t mean I should now support the legalization of X-activity to reduce the amount of illegal X-activity. I must rely on God-fearing wisdom to state that I can\u2019t support X, even if legalization of X might (hypothetically) reduce the amount of X-related activity. I will answer God both for my intent AND my support. This is where Romans 14 powerfully comes in stating that each of us Christians should have the conviction to be able to stand before Christ and say \u201cI did X because I honored and loved you according to your delivered word.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That doesn\u2019t mean that God-fearing wisdom can\u2019t support a non-Christian. Rather, despite state affiliation, God-fearing wisdom can\u2019t merely support a liar or a murderer or a thief or a violent person because in the end some perceived worldly good might come of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Third, I need to see how casting this vote represents my Lord<\/strong>. I am, like all humans, made in the image of God. Furthermore, I and all Christians are “being conformed to the image of Christ”. In the meantime, day by day I am “being transformed by the renewing of my mind” (Romans 12:1-2). Day by day, the Holy Spirit is working and changing me. Battle by battle, God affects me while I aim to obey His word and walk in His ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m not saying I\u2019m successfully doing this\u2014that\u2019s not my point. I am saying God is actively<\/em> doing something that He will<\/em> complete in the day of Jesus Christ. My entire life as a believer has a trajectory, grounded in communion with the triune God, aimed at being formed into the very picture of Christ. I have a telos<\/em>, or an intended pre-defined purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If God\u2019s goal is my telos<\/em> then my decisions, especially when I\u2019m supporting this or that, need to take that reality into consideration. The old trite bracelets asked, \u201cWhat would Jesus do?\u201d but those words rightly pointed to a directional mindset. What should a son of the Living God, in this situation, do? Who should a son of the Living God vote for?<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not make-believe. I\u2019m not pretending at seeing Jesus standing in my place doing something. Rather how does an image-bearer of the Lord of Glory properly represent His imprint? If I am truly crucified in Christ and the life I live in this flesh is actually Him living in me, how am I bringing honor to God with the decision I make?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now the shape of those decisions form a way to glorify the triune God. How is the Spirit, who works within me, pointing to Christ and the Father through me in this decision? How is the Father, conforming me into the image of the self-giving Son, in this decision?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t usually think like that, but it does elevate my responsibility. I\u2019m in this world as an ambassador of Christ called to walk worthy of His calling\u2014how else should I do that? Yes, I\u2019m a citizen of the United States but, at the same time, a foreigner aiming at a city whose foundation is God Himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n God\u2019s Kingdom is coming. It\u2019s also here. And expanding. In ways that I don\u2019t sometimes even consider. Yes, primarily with the preaching of the Gospel. But also, when the spiritual reality tears down thought fortresses (2 Cor 10:4). So fourth, I must function as an soldier on an active battleground<\/strong>. That is very militant so let me explain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Paul notes that our day-to-day situations have a spiritual dimension. Having a meal at an idol\u2019s temple, isn\u2019t merely a meal\u2014you\u2019re having a meal at the devil\u2019s table. Dropping some coins in front of a statue isn\u2019t merely for good luck\u2014demons stand behind those idols. This fight isn\u2019t merely with flesh and blood. Paul points out that we\u2019re in battle with powers and authorities in the spiritual realm. Ultimately, this is a battleground with both physical and spiritual dimensions where God is the clear victor, but we are individuals involved in the battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tim Keller made a good point about this. So many of us are overly simplistic. We look at the world and think \u201cit ends with what\u2019s in reach\u201d. Then there\u2019s a large group of us that everything that happens is demons and devils so that they have no responsibility. The Bible is more complex. The world is physical. The physical things that happen make a difference. But those things aren\u2019t merely physical. Demons are real. The battle ground is real.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The conversation with the grocer isn\u2019t merely a conversation with two humans making small talk. There is a chance there for God\u2019s kingdom to break in and change a life for eternity. Handing out that Bible verse isn\u2019t merely handing over a piece of paper, this is perhaps the very means that God\u2019s kingdom breaks into someone\u2019s world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I therefore must ask: what role is this vote playing in the battleground of the world or for the advancement of God\u2019s kingdom? Am I making it harder for the good news to spread or easier? Am I poisoning the taste of the good news by besmirching the sincerity of the Gospel by supporting this candidate? What role is my heart playing in this vote: am I deceived? How is the devil tricking me by influencing me to lose focus on the perfect, just, and good?<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this world, I need to fully equip myself with the tools granted to me by God when making any of these decisions. Salvation on my head, the Gospel at my feet, the truth around my body, righteousness guarding my heart, trusting God as my defense, the word of God at hand, and a direct prayer line to the All-mighty (Eph 6:10-17). I must take all this toolset into the voting booth with me. It\u2019s not something I should only bring into the voting booth, but it all needs to be part of my day-to-day, in play and practice. Am I seeing and utilizing this deeply foundational way of thinking that places me as a fully furnished soldier in the forefront of the advancing line of God\u2019s kingdom? Am I reflecting His Lordship even in this moment?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, after all of that, I must ask what are my actual choices<\/strong>? What am I deciding against and between? What are the implications of this or that choice? Too often I lead with this, but those big questions up above must come first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Indeed, how does supporting one candidate or the other change the face of the parties on what they think is important? Is casting my lot this way or that way set a precedent that, over time, is further injurious? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Those considerations should also be honest that the US is not technically a two-party system, but functionally (by the amount of money flowing to party A and B) is a two-party system. That fact doesn\u2019t simplistically mean \u201ca non-vote means a vote for the party that wins\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Where does this leave me? Choosing between (A) a concerning person with harmful policies who could get another 8 years or (B) a concerning person with harmful behaviors who enters the office with the most executive power that that branch of government has ever had?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or maybe I can choose (C) a third party, with a clear conscience even if knowing that in the end either A or B will win? Do I have the freedom, of the state I live in, to cast a vote for C knowing that regardless how I vote, it won\u2019t matter because my state will turn one color on election night? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or maybe, because the options are finally so bad, I know that I have the freedom of conscience to (D) split my vote by refraining from the vote for President this season but focusing on local government and policies?<\/p>\n\n\n\n I should consider his or her track record, be it in terms of what they have accomplished or how they have acted in this or that situation. These decisions set the trajectory of the political landscape and this character sets the expectations and perceptions of the people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, I might not be clear on who<\/em> I should vote for but at least I know how<\/em> I should vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is not policy. This is looking at how the use of the tongue behind the elevated platform is a powerful tool for change.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWill This Vote Violate, or Treasure, God\u2019s Commands?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Voting with love of God and fellow man<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Will This Vote Deny, or Embrace, God-Fearing Wisdom?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Foolishness operates without concern for God <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
God-fearing wisdom shapes all of life<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
God-fearing wisdom listens to the warnings of His Word<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
God-fearing wisdom is concerned with godly conviction<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Will Casting This Vote Properly Represent My Lord?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
God is forming us in the image of His Son<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We must act in a way that reflects Our Lord<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The city of God is not my earthly country<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
How Does This Vote Acknowledge the Kingdom of God?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our world is more than physical <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We operate on an active battleground<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Christians need to be using God-given resources<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Have I Properly Considered All Of My Choices?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our decisions have longer term effects beyond policy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
We do not only have two choices<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
The character of a leader must be considered <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Here are some things that are important in 2024<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
On the Supreme Court<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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The Life of the Unborn<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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The Dropping Population<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Immigration <\/h5>\n\n\n
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Foreign Policy<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Domestic Policies<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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On Rhetoric<\/h5>\n\n\n\n