Is Voting Important?

If there is a tendency for Christians to overreact on any issue it is that of whether or not the political process is important and whether or not we should vote. Too many Christians conclude that being involved in the public arena is not that important for a couple of reasons.

To begin, some say, “Politics cannot save you, so why vote or get involved?” Now, it is certainly true that we don’t want to trust in our government leaders or their policies to save us. However, there are a lot of things that don’t save us in the ultimate sense, but we realize they are important, such as teaching, farming, medical care, law enforcement, the manufacturing of goods we need, and so on. Just because something cannot save us, does not mean it is not important at some level.

Second, some conclude, “Well, politicians are so corrupt, unresponsive, and twisted, that it just doesn’t matter whom we elect to office. Please understand that this is not true. Yes, there are corrupt, unresponsive, and twisted leaders. But, please realize that we are often led by those whom the populace allows to get into office because too many people conclude, “It just doesn’t matter.” I am concerned that over the last several years too many Christians throughout the United States have checked out of the political process and so our voice is not being heard. In our silence we bear some responsibility for the leaders who have been leading us down a very destructive path.

Let me close by saying that making an impact in the public square is important since it is part of the good works that should be an outcome of the new life we have in Jesus Christ. In Titus 2:14; 3:8, 14 Paul teaches young Titus that one of the reasons Christians have received the saving mercy of God is so that we would be zealous for good works, that is, that we would devote our selves to good works. What do these good works include? In part, they include helping in cases of urgent need (Titus 3:14).  Who can dispute the fact that public policies can either help or hurt people?  They pave the way for the private sector to create jobs and wealth so families can avoid poverty or they discourage the creation of jobs and wealth which lead to more and more people suffering economically. What is more, public policies can result in the death of unborn children and the devastation abortion brings to moms and dads who decided to end babies’ lives or they can protect children; public policies can strengthen marriage and families, the backbone of our society or they can tear down marriage and families; and public policies can preserve and encourage freedom or hinder it.

We could go on and on, but the point should be clear enough. When we ignore the voting booth and the public square, we are like the two religious leaders in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan who cross to the other side of the road and ignore the one in urgent need (Luke 10:25-37). We are not only shirking our civic responsibilities, but we are failing to love our neighbors and failing to live out the effects of the gospel of Jesus Christ in us.

I strongly encourage us to love God and our neighbor by letting our voice be heard on this Tuesday.