Is Jesus Lord of Your Vote?

It’s election day. You walk the gauntlet of volunteers handing out how-to-vote cards, make it past the tantalising aroma of fundraising sausages, and spell out your name three times to have it marked off the electoral roll. You walk over to that little booth to exercise your democratic right. As you number the boxes next to your preferred candidates and parties, you notice someone is watching on. You look up. It is Jesus the risen Lord. Would his presence change how you vote?

Voting is an opportunity to keep elected leaders accountable, to bring about change in leadership in a peaceful way, and to publicly discuss our hopes and dreams for our nation.

Christians seek to live every part of our life under Christ’s lordship. This includes our vote. Jesus, because he is Lord, really is watching on as you vote. How should that affect your vote?

What Are We Voting for?

In Romans 13:1–4 there are three key things we learn about governments. First, governments are established by God; they are given any authority they have by him. Whichever party or candidate wins, they are put there by God. Second, God establishes governments so that justice can be maintained. They “bear the sword” and are “agents of wrath” to punish the evildoer. Third, God establishes governments for our good. Without the authorities restraining evil, our society would be in chaos. History bears this out. When a government loses authority over the people it is meant to be governing, there are riots and looting; everyone does what they see fit (Jdg 21:25).

Additionally, in 1 Timothy 2, the purpose of government is to bring peace. The apostle Paul urges that the churches pray for “Kings and all in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (verse 2). Peace is good for us generally, but it is also good for the spread and flourishing of the gospel.

What Are We Not Voting for?

We’re not voting for a replacement Jesus. No person or authority can match Jesus.

All humans are sinful—including our leaders. In Psalm 2, we get a picture of all the kings of the earth gathering. They rise and band together as a coalition against the LORD and his Christ. At this, the Lord laughs because he knows how futile it is to resist him. The same authorities that God institutes for our good are still sinful. Their policies and decisions won’t always bring justice or peace, they may in fact do the opposite. Rome crucified many an innocent man, one who was in fact God the Son incarnate, simply because it was politically expedient. This helps us to have a realistic view of our elected leaders: they are not Jesus, but finite and sinful humans like you and I.

Our hope ought not to be in our politicians but in Jesus. Michael Jensen writes:

In our frustration and anxiety, we want them [authorities] to be preservers and transmitters of our national identity. We want them to give expression to our dreams and aspirations. We want them to build ideal or close to ideal societies.[1]

Our ultimate hope as Christians should never be in a change of government or a change of policy, but always in Jesus as Lord.

What Issues Should We Consider When Voting?

You know Jesus is Lord of your vote. You have a right perspective of governments. But who do you vote for?

First, use your vote to love your neighbour. Living with Jesus as Lord means considering others before yourself. This is true even as you vote. It’s not about which candidate will be best for you but which candidate you think will best bring justice and peace to society. Cast your vote standing in the shoes of your neighbour. If you operate a business, it’s easy to think about the party that promises to tax you the least. If you have student debt, the party that is promising to get rid of it. If you’re in the market for a house, the party that might make that purchase possible. It’s easy to think about ourselves. Jesus says love your neighbour; and you should do this, by thinking about others when you vote. Loving our neighbour also includes thinking about care for the weak and vulnerable. Psalm 82:3–4 says to human rulers

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless;
maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Rescue the weak and needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

Which candidate/party do you think will do this?

Secondly, we should vote as people who care about what our Lord Jesus cares about. We don’t vote in a vacuum but in a world created by God to be redeemed by Jesus. Are there policies that will promote or hinder Jesus’ church, such as freedom of speech or restrictions on prayer? Are there positions that undermine or encourage the good that God has designed for our society? In almost every case upholding these concerns are also ways to be loving to your neighbour, even if our neighbour doesn’t always know God and recognise what their Creator intends for their good. We can also think about the candidate’s character, are they likely to lead with integrity? These are some of the issues to consider.

Voting is complex because we live in a complicated world, under the curse of sin, where we are finite beings limited in our understanding of who or what will be best. This complexity means, there might be multiple good, different and imperfect solutions to an issue. For example, two parties might think differently about taxes, or refugees—both might be legitimate, and we have to make a decision at the ballot box. This means we need to vote prayerfully and humbly, with right expectations of what a government ought to be able to achieve. Jesus is Lord no matter the outcome and the authority is for our good. Let Jesus be Lord of your vote!

[1] Michael P. Jensen, Subjects and Citizens: The politics of the gospel— Lessons from Romans 12-15. Matthias Media. Kindle Edition. 89.