The Christian Way to Vote

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

 

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Jeremiah 29

For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Houses and fields and vineyards shall again be bought in this land. Jeremiah 32

As we await His approaching glory, we Christians are called to engage with the Here and Now. This engagement is part of the LORD's plan for our spiritual formation, and one of its purposes is to bring daily life into direct contact with His Kingdom - we are to demonstrate, even if momentarily, what the full consumption of His lordship is going to look like. Living in the tension of this life and the approaching eternity is what the prophet Jeremiah describes in the passages mentioned above.

This engagement involves political/civic participation, even when it is painful or uncomfortable (1 Peter 4), and all we can agree on are terms we can easily use to describe the current political environment in our beloved country. 

Then, how should we vote? Here you have some pointers, which must be bathed in persistent prayer.

1. Acknowledge that the Triune God of the Universe is the only sovereign ruler and the Only One capable of providing what your soul wants and needs. No political candidate can do this for you.
2. Repent of your Pride-Idolatry that fuels your cultural preferences contrary to the Gospel and its implications.
3. Remember that we live in Jeremiha's Tension.
4. Determine which candidate/platform promotes the most Kingdom Values
5. Since none of them can promote Kingdom Values perfectly, be ready to call out your political team when they hold positions opposed to the Truth.
6. Find delight not in the results of the elections but in your identity and inheritance secured by Christ Jesus, God the Son.

What do you think? Are there any other considerations for voting in a God-honoring way?

-AV

PS. I am trying to determine if real humans read my posts; please leave a short comment to confirm you are human. Thanks!