Does the Bible tell Christians how to vote? Well, yes, but not directly. New Testament Christians did not have the luxury of voting for their rulers, so the Apostle Paul instructed them to pray very specific requests for their governmental leaders. If we know what God wants us to pray for, we can know how God wants us to vote.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-5, the Apostle Paul commands Christians to pray especially for “kings, and for all that are in authority.” For American Christians, this would certainly include the President of the United States and all other elected officials. For what are we to pray? We are to ask God to move in and through these secular and (most likely) godless leaders in such a way that the following blessings occur:
- Peace: That Christians might enjoy a “quiet and peaceable life.” The word “quiet” is the opposite of chaos. Sadly, many Christians since the early church have endured the pain and chaos of government persecution. We are to pray for policies that allow Christians to live without fear of oppression. Also, we should pray for policies that promote general order, reasonable laws, and an ability to be at peace with neighboring countries. Nothing brings more disruption then endless wars. Christians should pray for policies that produce the greatest amount of peace, order, and tranquility.
- Freedom: That Christians might be free to live “in all godliness and honesty.” Godliness has the meaning of piety, and refers to the right to live our lives in accordance to our conscience, both morally and religiously. The Greek word translated “honesty” has the idea of honorable dignity. We are therefore to pray for policies that allow for religious liberty, so that we can live as Christians openly and with dignity, as opposed to having to hide and operate in the shadows.
- Evangelism: The reason Paul gives for these two requests is because God “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” The Christian doesn’t pray for peace and freedom purely for his own comfort, but rather that the Gospel would spread far and wide without governmental interference. We ought to pray for our leaders to allow for free speech and the right to evangelize without fear of recriminations.
Notice, we are not commanded to pray that our leaders themselves would be godly Bible believers, even though that would be desirable. Paul’s instructions focus on the policies of the ruler more than his person. All throughout the Bible we have examples of secular leaders unwittingly performing God’s will. Cyrus, for example, fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy in allowing the Jews to return to their homeland. God is able to work His will through unworthy human hands.
Since the 1st century church, persecuted believers by the multiplied thousands have prayed as Paul instructed. They have claimed 1 Timothy 2 by faith as they cried to God for mercy and favor from oppressive governments. Did God ever answer these prayers? Of course He did. In fact, the United States of America is literally God’s answer to this prayer. God raised up a nation where Christians can live and worship freely without fear, and, because of these freedoms, the Gospel has reached out into every corner of the world.
So my premise is this: vote in accordance with your prayers! Are you praying for continued peace and freedom of worship? Vote accordingly. Communism is inherently oppressive, especially to Christians, but socialism is only a few shades better. Socialism limits personal liberty and restricts freedom of speech. A Christian who prays for peace and freedom should therefore vote for the candidate who will best protect our constitutionally protected rights and liberties. Must the candidate be a godly Christian? That would be nice, but no. The candidate must simply be the one who will best protect the liberties we cherish and for which so many have prayed. Early believers didn’t have the privilege of electing their own government. You can be sure, if they could have, they would have voted for leaders who would allow them to simply live in peace.
What about the matter of abortion? Well, Paul’s instruction doesn’t cover that issue. But James says this: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). If one candidate allows unrestricted access to even late-term abortions, and another candidate promises to restrict abortion, the Christian must vote for the candidate who will save the most unborn lives. Is abortion murder? Yes. Is it abhorrent? Yes. And so a Christian’s responsibility is to not only pray for the eradication of abortion, but to vote in a way that will do the most good.
Vote for the one who’s policies protect our Constitution and religious liberties. Vote for the one who will save more babies from being slaughtered in womb. Back up your prayers with a vote for the one who will do the most good. The choice is clear: vote for Donald J. Trump.
