By: Donna Clark
Many Christians fail to recognize the importance and responsibility that is given to casting their vote. Here are some shocking statistics from the 2020 election. In the State of Georgia, 1,349,454 professing Evangelicals did not vote; Biden carried this state by 11,779 votes. In the State of Arizona, 730,624 Evangelicals did not vote; Biden carried with 10,457 votes. Michigan, 1,338,126 Evangelicals did not vote; Biden won by 154,188 votes.
Looking at these numbers, imagine the outcome if the Evangelicals had cast their vote. Why is it that so many self-described Christians don’t make it to the voting booth on Election Day? Many believe that their one vote doesn’t really matter. Others believe that no candidate measures up to their standards of moral conduct or matches their beliefs on all the issues. While others simply believe that politics is corrupt and they want no part. None of these reasons excuse us from the responsibility that is given to us as Believers.
1 – Each vote makes a difference in cumulative numbers. This is how we as Christians are to be as salt and light in the darkness of godless deeds, to influence our society. Prv 12:26
2 – Voting recognizes the right of all citizens to express their values through their votes. Prv 29:2, Psa 34:14
3 – Voting is a privilege of our free nation, not shared by other countries of the world. Those who reap the benefits of living in a democratic nation should play a part in upholding the constitutional republic that defines it. Is 1:26
4 – Voting according to God’s word promotes the application of Biblical standards in the selection of elected officials in our country and to whose authority we are to submit, as established by God. Rom 13:1
5 – Not voting is a form of voting, as it affects the outcome. “All that is required for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.” Edmund Burke. Jas 1:22-25
6 – Voting is one way to obey God’s command to seek good for those around us and to protect our nation. Prv 11:3
7 – As people of faith, we will be held accountable for our actions, as well as our lack of action. Luke 12:48
8 – The early Christians elected elders by voting; voting has Biblical precedence. Acts 14:23
9 – Voting is a part of stewarding all the resources we have been given in ways that honor God. To waste a vote is to squander a gift. Matt 5:13
10 – By not voting, we condemn an entire generation. What we allow today will affect future generations. Gal 6:7-8
Ben Carson stated it so well as he spoke at a Republican Convention. “This election is not about Democrats or Republicans. This election is about whether we are a secular nation or one nation under God. Years ago, Benjamin Franklin exiting Constitution Hall after vigorous arguments over how the nation was to be run, was asked “Sir, what do we have here? A monarchy or a republic?” To that he replied, “A
republic, if you can keep it.” We have kept it for 240 years, but we are as close to losing it as we have ever been at any point in time. We must never forget there is a struggle between good and evil. There is a battle to fight to restore our country to the values that she once had.
I consider the situations we are currently facing, such as an unprotected border allowing an unknown number of illegal immigrants to reside in our country. I was reminded today of the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. She had been raped and died of strangulation. Two illegal immigrants involved in a Venezuela gang were charged with her murder. Also, Laken Riley, murdered by a Venezuelan male who had entered the United States illegally. The abortion situation — in six states abortions are permitted to nine months, and eight states have no restrictions, according to The Dispatch, 9/16/24. Jim Chilton, a rancher in Southern Arizona, will tell anyone who asks about smugglers using the trails through the mountains on his ranch. Chilton says video cameras have captured images of more than 3,000 people over the past two years. For other looming issues, need I mention gender confusion, sexualization of children, tax dollars that were to be used for those caught in natural disasters now used for the betterment of illegal immigrants, weaponization of government, and on I could go.
How can we not vote? Especially those of us who know the truths of God’s word. And how can we vote for a candidate who doesn’t uphold those truths. Remember the stats I gave in the opening of this article? If we want a change, we can make the difference. I, for one, want our wounded country returned to the great America she once was. If you read this article before election date, please vote. If you’re seeing this after the fact, there will be other elections to come at our state and county levels; make the decision to get involved.
No matter the outcome of the 2024 election, let me leave you with this quote from Corrie Ten Boom, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” This is our firm hope.
By: Donna Clark
November 1, 2024
