Why I believe Christians Should vote

In which I join the thousands (perhaps millions?) of bloggers who have, sometime during this election season, written a post about politics.
I pretty much promised myself I wouldn't do this. Just because . . . I don't really want to start any sort of arguments or disagreements. But with how this election has been shaping up, I thought it was time for me to say something. Because I hate just sitting back and watching idly while things seem to be going from bad to worse.
And before you read anymore, I just want to stress that these are personal convictions I have on this matter. I'm not saying you have to agree with me, or that if you don't you're wrong. No, I'm just explaining why I think it's important to vote, and giving y'all my opinion on voting. (Not sure how much it's worth, but...) Also, I'm not endorsing anyone. (Literally not sure what good it would do anyway ... ;)) I'm just sharing my thoughts on the candidates and the reasons why I will personally be voting for Donald Trump.

So yes, now that all of that is out of the way . . . Most of you are probably aware that I come from a very conservative family. Thus, it's an unavoidable result that my thinking in all of life, including politics, has been shaped by the upbringing. Still, I know others who have had pretty much the same upbringing as me, and they think differently. So I just wanted to do a short post (I will try to keep it short!) on why I believe voting is so important, and why I believe it is our duty, as American citizens and Christians to do so, even when we have candidates like we've had this year.

--Romans 12:8 If it be possible, as much as it lieth in you live peaceably with all men. 

How is it possible to live in peace when our leader is someone who's policies go against some of our most fundamental beliefs as Christian?  In my opinion of the two candidates we have to chose from, Mrs. Clinton stands for a lot of things that I am against. She is for abortion, she promotes an un-biblical definition of marriage. Mr. Trump, on the other hand, hasn't exactly live a moral life himself. (okay, he hasn't at all. ;P) But his policies are mostly in accordance with the Bible on theses issues.

Why do I believe abortion is wrong?

Psalm 139:13-14 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 

Why do I believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman?

Genesis 5:2 Male and female he created them; and blessed them . . . in the day they were created

Genesis 2:4 Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall become one flesh. 

--Jeremiah 29:5-7 Build ye gardens, and dwell in them; and plant gardens and eat the fruit of them; take ye wives, and begat sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall you have peace. 

Though the Israelites were strangers in a strange country, yet they were still commanded to seek the peace of the city they had been exiled to.
As Christians living in this world, it is not our final home. Yet, just as the Israelites were commanded to seek the peace of the city that was not their home and participate in a government that was not their own, so we as Christians and strangers in this world are called to play a part in our Government and seek the peace of our country. Those in power in Babylon were, no doubt, a far cry from the kind of leaders God would have appointed in Israel. But regardless, God's chosen people were told to be a part of this Government.

--Deuteronomy 16:18 Judges and officers shall thou make thee in all thy gates, which the Lord God gaveth thee, throughout the the tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 

The people of Israel are commanded to elect judges and officials who will judge fairly. This election, not only is the office of president on the line, but also our Supreme court. Mrs. Clinton has as much as promised that she will appoint judges that support Roe vs. Wade; judges that support a definition of marriage that is contrary to what the Bible commands. 

Mr. Trump, on the other hand,  has promised to appoint conservative justices. In the last debate, he was asked if he would overturn Roe vs. Wade if he was president. He replied that "If we put another two or perhaps three justices on, that will happen. And that will happen automatically, in my opinion, because I am putting pro-life justices on the court.” (http://people.com/politics/trump-roe-v-wade-overturned/ 

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/19/trump-ill-appoint-supreme-court-justices-to-overturn-roe-v-wade-abortion-case.html 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/05/11/trump-scotus-nominee-overturn-roe-v-wade/84223512/)

--Romans 13-1-7 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

We are told to live in subjection of the authorities over us, for they are ordained (established) by God. 

Yes, it does say in Acts 5:29 that's when those in power command us to do something God forbids, God's way is always right. However, if we are following God, we are going to obey the leaders to the best of our ability. And we can't obey leaders who are blatantly against things the Bible teaches. 

Because of the fact that we are instructed to obey the rulers who are over us, we should do all we can to elect the rulers whose policies have the most in common with Bible. I'm not saying that those who are more conservative will always win. God allows judgment. (Micah 3:12; Amos 9:8) Perhaps the very fact that we are having a Trump/Clinton election is a part of God's judgment. Yet we still have a choice. We still have a candidate who says he stands for Biblical principals. 

--I Peter 2:13-17   Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Oh, there's so much packed into here! Again we are reminded to obey the king (authority), for he is ordained of God. One thing I've noticed in talking to people is the fact that many say "Well, if God is ultimately in control and He elects rulers, why should we even bother to vote?" 

Well, why share the gospel with someone if God alone already knows whether or not they'll be saved sometime during their life? 

Yes, I know these are two very different subjects, but I believe the same principal can apply to both of them. We are mere humans, and we don't know the ways of God, yet he often works through us to accomplish his purposes. 

(Also, kinda a side note here, when we live in obedience to the authority over us, we are able to quiet those who may say that we don't care at all about the government since we believe that "God's ways are higher than man's.) 

God has gifted those of us who live in this country freedom. As Christians we have freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1), yet He has also given us freedom in this country. Please don't tell me that our freedoms are slipping away. Yes, it's true in a way, yet, we still have more freedom that most places anywhere in the world! We need to continue to try and keep that freedom, and then use it not to get comfortable in our faith, but instead to use this freedom to bring others to Christ. The world is a mission field . . . but I think far too often when we say that we forget about the U.S. Here on our own soil millions of people need to know the Lord. We have the freedom to talk openly about our faith, to reach out to others without little or no fear of government involvement. While we still have the opportunity, let us not let it slip away!

We are to be slaves for Christ by sharing His gospel first of all. But don't sit by and hand over the freedom God has given us here in our country. 

Why do I believe we should vote? Because if we are supposed to be able obey the government, we need to have a say in who our leaders are. We need to vote for the lives of the unborn. We need to treasure the freedom God has blessed us with and take part in our government.

And what's our most basic responsibility as a citizen of this great nation? To vote. ;) 

--Daniel 2:20  Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

Well, this post has ended up quite a bit longer than I expected. I do apologize for that. :) These two verses from Daniel seemed like a good way to wrap everything up. No matter what we personally feel convicted to do and ultimately decide to do, God is the one who will give us the wisdom to make the choice. And He's the one we should follow. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

These are probably the most quoted and well known verses in this post. ;) No matter what your political leanings are, and no matter how the election turns out, we are instructed to pray for those in authority. Only God has the ability to change hearts . . . and He's still doing it today! 

--2 Chronicles 20:12b Neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. 

If you would like to look more in-depth at the difference between the democratic and republican platforms, I found this article that a friend emailed to me to be extremely helpful! https://billygraham.org/story/2016-party-platforms/?utm_source=DecisionElectionGuide+LP+Post+Event&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=Decision+Election+Guide&utm_content=Post+Event+BD160YDEG&SOURCE=BD160YDEG

I'm going to close this post with a sentence I got from an email that was forwarded to me with the above article. I don't know who originally said it or I would give credit. :) 

"This is not about fear. Whoever wins this election, GOD IS FOREVER ON THE THRONE. But we have a God-given right to vote and fight for justice and righteousness as long as we can."

Amen to that!!