Here we are…another presidential election year for those of us living in the United States. There are still some unknown developments or possible surprises that could shake things up, but (as of this writing) it’s shaping up to be a rematch of the 2020 presidential election. And it could be even uglier and more divisive.
Christians will be asked where they stand, and they’ll come under pressure to “take a stand” or “take a side.” Those of us who believe in God and strive to love and follow Jesus will find ourselves questioned, pressed, judged, ostracized, and more.
How we navigate 2024 will require lots of prayer, lots of strength, and lots of wisdom.
Let me offer a few things for you to think about in 2024 (and beyond)…
- We are ambassadors for Jesus Christ, not Joe Biden, Donald Trump, the Republican Party, the Democrat Party, the left, the right, libertarians, socialists, MAGA, BLM, and whatever other movement or organization. (II Corinthians 5:20). So, don’t let your attitude, words, or actions undermine your ambassadorship for Christ. He is preeminent. He is most important. Do not lose sight of that.
- Our world is sick and it needs the Lord. People are looking to politics and social movements to meet their material, emotional, and spiritual needs. This is why politics has gotten so rough and ugly in recent years. We need to point people to Jesus. It’s His Name that must be lifted up (John 3:14-16).
- We must show people – in word and by example – that true comfort, peace, and sanctuary can only be found in the Lord, not in politics or parties (Psalm 91:1-2, Proverbs 18:10).
- We need wisdom (Proverbs 4:7) and we need to continually pray and ask God for it (James 1:5).
- When we discuss politics with our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, or whomever (in person or online), we must do so in love (Mark 12:30-31), with honor (I Peter 2:17), with grace (Colossians 4:6), and with divinely-inspired wisdom, not “devilish” wisdom (James 3:13-16).
- To the extent possible, we should be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9, Psalm 34:14, Romans 12:18).
- We need to pray for the elections and for our leaders (I Timothy 2:1-2).
Do not lose sight of the above principles when it comes to how you vote or how you enter political conversations. If you’re a Christian, be a Christian. That is how you should be seen and known.
When it comes to which candidates you should vote for or support, you should pray over it and look into where the candidates stand on the issues. Don’t just take the word of the opposition or the media for that. Actually look at what the candidates themselves say. Then, compare and contrast what the candidates believe, say, and do against the standards we should have as God’s people.
You should also do a study on what the Bible says concerning the purpose of civil government (start with Romans 13:1-7). Understand that the United States and ancient Israel (as in the theocratic covenant nation of Israel in the Bible) are not the same. The United States is distinct. If you want to know about the U.S. and its system of government more, read the Constitution of the United States. That’s the document each President and elected official (at all levels) must take an oath to “preserve, protect, and defend.”
As you do all that… keep in mind that all your choices should be made in prayer.
When it comes to those choices, you have multiple options.
The names on the ballot represent the candidates who have the support of their respective parties (or, if they are independent, the required number of signatures to get them on the ballot). You can choose between those candidates on the ballot or you can write someone in. Or you can withhold your vote altogether from that particular political race.
I realize that some people are completely against voting third party or writing in a candidate because they feel that’s “throwing away” a vote. In some cases, there might be merit to that view. But not in every case. An argument can be made that if the parties don’t serve up a candidate worthy of your trust or support, a message needs to be sent to the parties. The best way to do that is to reject the candidates they nominated.
Now, I understand that sending such a message effectively takes you out of the decision-making process in terms of which of the candidates on the ballot will prevail. For some, that is not an acceptable choice when the stakes are high. If that is your view, please be humble about it. Recognize that we’re now in territory not directly addressed in the Scriptures. There wasn’t a democracy when Jesus walked the earth or when Paul and Peter wrote their epistles. Since the Bible doesn’t address voting in democratic elections, we have to exhibit some humility and show some grace.
Let’s assume, though, that you’ve prayed and you’ve decided to vote for Candidate X. Okay, but just because you vote for Candidate X doesn’t mean you have to or should fully endorse or support said candidate. There are degrees of support. Not every candidate warrants the same level of support.
Here are the degrees of support you can offer a candidate…
- Vote for the candidate
- Tell friends and family you voted for the candidate
- Publicly endorse the candidate (an advertisement, letter to the editor, social media post, bumper sticker, yard sign, speech, etc.)
- Give money to the candidate
- Volunteer to help out the candidate (knock on doors, stuff envelopes, work at campaign headquarters, etc.)
You get the idea.
In some cases, I’ve quietly cast my vote and let that be that. And I told no one (or very few) who I voted for. I kept it to myself and that was that.
In other cases, I voted for a candidate, publicly endorsed that candidate, put a yard sign up for that candidate, volunteered in their campaign, etc.
Just because you vote for a candidate doesn’t obligate you to tell everyone who you voted for. When you go to the polls, you’re casting a private ballot. You can keep it private.
When someone presses you, you can say, “I’m sorry. I’d rather not say. I prayed about it and cast a private ballot. Ultimately, our nation doesn’t need any of the candidates on the ballot. Our nation needs the Lord, and He is who I want to keep my focus on. Jesus is who I want to be associated with.”
No one (except God and maybe your spouse) is entitled to know your vote. If you disagree with me, please show me in the Bible where you are obligated to tell others about who you voted for.
Of course, if you’ve prayed about it and you feel comfortable talking about your vote with others, that’s your choice. Thank God, we have freedom of speech (at least for now) in the United States.
For my own part, those who know me know my basic values and convictions. And if they’ve known me a while, they can guess how I probably vote in most elections. But…
Since I’m a full-time pastor, I do not publicly endorse candidates or talk about who I vote for (beyond close family and friends). I want to be known as a Christ-follower not as a Trump-follower or Biden-follower or whoever else is on the ballot at any level.
In the church I serve, there are Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and people who just want everyone to stop fighting. There are people on the left and the right and many places in between. I love all of them and am privileged to be their pastor. So, I will never use the pulpit of Olney Baptist Church to endorse a candidate or party. And, even on social media and in everyday conversations, I’m very cautious as to how much I discuss politics. I want the focus on Jesus, not on any politician.
Neither Donald Trump nor Joe Biden died for me. Jesus did. And, for now, He’s called me to be a pastor and to serve and help expand His kingdom. That’s my present work.
If God leads me out of pastoral ministry and into a field in which it’s appropriate for me to discuss my political views (including who I support) more openly, then I will adjust accordingly. But for now…
I’m a pastor. I’m a full-time ambassador for Jesus Christ. I’m on Team Jesus.
That’s my brand. I don’t want to detract or distract from it.
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