The IM Writers Association. We aim to create a community of writers who share a common faith and passion for writing that advances the Life of Jesus Christ. #27 Voting RighteouslyDr. Stephen Phinney: As we cast our votes, let us do so not as mere citizens of the country/state we belong but as ambassadors of Christ, striving to bring His Life into every area of society.
Believers in Christ are called to vote righteously, aligning their choices not with personal or political biases, but with the unchanging truth of God’s Word. This means seeking leaders who uphold God’s justice, mercy, and love for all people, and whose policies reflect the Biblical doctrines of God’s Kingdom. As we cast our votes, let us do so not as mere citizens of the country we belong but as ambassadors of Christ, striving to bring His light & Life into every area of society, including the voting booth.
During the early years of my adult life, I was ignorant as to the power of voting. Reflecting on my journey as an indwelt Christian, I acknowledge that there was a time when I was unaware of the profound significance of Godly voting. I used to view voting as something the “old folks” did as their civic duty. I admit, I was detached from my faith in Christ and the responsibility of voting righteously. However, I have come to realize that as an authentic Christian citizen, my vote is not just a political act, but a spiritual one. It is an opportunity to promote Biblical beliefs in our society and to seek the welfare of all people - born-again or not. I now understand that each vote can be a testament to who Jesus Christ is and a chance to uphold His justice, love, and mercy. I am committed to continually educating myself about the issues at stake, praying for indwelling wisdom and discernment and purposing to vote righteously in alignment with God’s Word. VOTING RIGHTEOUSLYThe “right to vote” should be the “righteous vote,” a cherished freedom and a cornerstone of American democracy. While the Bible does not provide direct and commanding instructions for voting in modern democracies, it does offer guiding life principles that have advanced the Christian approach to civic duties. Our Founder’s Biblical StewardshipIn America’s founding days, sadly, voting was limited to white male property owners. This was a reflection of societal norms rather than Biblical principles. However, the Bible’s teachings on stewardship and responsibility can be seen as a call for real—deal Christians to participate actively in civic duties, including voting. In the eyes of God, all people are created equal, regardless of race or color. The Bible teaches us in Acts 10:34-35, ‘God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.’ This immovable truth extends to our civic responsibilities, particularly voting. Every individual, of every race and color, has the God-given freedom to vote righteously in the democratic process. As indwelt Christians, we should champion this equality and encourage all brothers and sisters in Christ to exercise their responsibility to vote, promoting God’s justice, His Word, and righteousness in our society. It is not only a freedom, but it is our duty. Expansion of Voting Righteously and Biblical JusticeOver time, voting righteously in America has faded into morbid ideologies. In our founding years, voting was conducted mainly by self-proclaimed Christians. It progressed into expanding to all. The 15th Amendment in 1870 granted the right to vote to Black men, and the 19th Amendment in 1920 extended this right to women. These expansions align with Biblical teachings on God’s justice and equality. In Galatians 3:28, the Apostle Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” While the Biblical roles of leadership remain immovable, Paul makes it clear that as members of Christ’s Body, all are 100% equal. Our founding fathers built our country on this principle. The Founding Fathers of the United States, in their wisdom and foresight, established a nation built on the principles of freedom founded in His Word. This included the fundamental right to vote, a freedom that has allowed Christians, along with all other citizens, to participate actively in shaping the nation - hopefully molding it into a Bible-driven society. While righteous voting was the norm, it was initially limited in scope, and the foundational ideals of liberty and equality remained racist in functionality - primarily for wealthy white males. Thankfully, today, all Christians & non-Christians alike, irrespective of their race, gender, or social status, have the freedom & duty to vote, a testament to the enduring vision of our Founding Fathers. The Act of 1965 and Biblical RighteousnessThe Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant milestone that further expanded voting rights, especially for minority populations. This aligns with the Biblical command to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31). By ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity, have an equal opportunity to vote righteously, we are showing God’s love and respect for their inherent dignity and worth as a created being of the Living God. Here is something to remember: Righteous voting is more than a civic duty; it’s a spiritual act of discernment and obedience. As Christians, we believe that God speaks through us, through His Word, and through the release of the Holy Spirit. When we approach voting with prayer and a heart attuned to releasing His Word, our choices can become a megaphone of God’s voice. By voting in alignment with Biblical doctrines of God’s justice, and righteousness, we can help to reveal God’s heart for our country and contribute to His Kingdom work on earth. Post-Modern Challenges and Biblical WisdomDespite the progress made, challenges to voting righteously persist. Some states have implemented policies that could potentially restrict voting access. In these situations, Christians are called to exercise wisdom and discernment, standing up for God’s justice and equality as the Bible instructs in Proverbs 31:9: “Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” As authentic believers in Christ, it’s crucial that we approach voting not primarily through the lens of cultural ideologies, but through the lens of Biblical truth. While culture can inform our perspectives, our ultimate guide should be the Word of God. The Bible overpowers time and culture, offering timeless wisdom and guidance, which is built on an eternal timeline. When we vote, we have the opportunity to align our choices with righteous Biblical principles, rather than merely reflecting the ideologies of our culture. This is not always easy, but it is a vital part of living out the mind of Christ Jesus from within us - in a complex and diverse society. IMPARTING WISDOMMy challenge for all of us, as we continue to navigate the complexities of voting righteously in America, let us do so with a commitment to uphold the Biblical doctrines God Himself imparted to us, seeking to bring about a society that reflects how the Lord manages His kingdom on Heaven’s side, keeping in play the order and functionality of the “how” Yeshua/Jesus will govern His 1,000-year Kingdom on earth. Remember, this will be after Jesus defeats the nasty politician He calls, “The Antichrist.” And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while. (Revelation 20:2-3) Dr. Stephen Phinney
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