There is no mandate to vote or not vote. It is a privilege given to those under the US Constitution.
First, our Bible dictates to us who we should vote for. That is of course, if you take advantage of the voting procedure. As Christians, we should be concerned specifically with future peace and the opportunity to advance the gospel without fear or consequences.
If there is someone running who is not "Christian" this should not be the test whether or not we should vote for him or her. It is a peaceable life we want to pursue and if the man or woman running is concerned about honoring and upholding the Constitution, Christian or not, we should support this person(s).
I do not want to offend anyone reading this, but listen to me very closely; it is not our responsibility to make an ungodly person act godly. We are not the moral police. We of course warn the wicked of their future if they do not turn to the Lord away from idolatry, but that does not guarantee a conversion. We do not make certain ethical behaviors (from a pagan candidate) a reason for voting or not voting for that person.
As I pointed out in the articles on Rasoul and Obama and even the article I did on Romney; we have an obligation to see that NO antimessiahs rule over us if we have the opportunity to stop it. This WILL bring heartache and eventually tyranny to the genuine Christians on the planet if these men have their way. T hese three men do not have the Messiah that we have. They have a fraud and they want us to accept their fraud and by doing this, we have to replace our Messiah with their false. Did I lose you? Need I remind us that to deny the Son has come in the flesh is the doctrine of the antimessiah. The person who brings this other teaching is said to be a liar by the Apostle John. We DO have an obligation to defend the faith from these antimessiahs!
We must not vote for these people or we share in their works!
We must look for alternatives and if we find none we do not go against Scripture. Any person who denies Jesus is the Messiah is a liar and a deceiver. How can we pray for peace when we vote these men into the offices that oversee our freedoms? Let me be even more specific. In the VA 6th District, many who will not vote for Rasoul are voting for Goodlatte. How? I cannot be their conscience, but I cannot vote for either one! Goodlatte is a Christian Scientist and he too denies Jesus has come in the flesh. Mr. Goodlatte's Organizational leader, Mary Baker Eddy Clover Patterson, denied Jesus was the Messiah. Therefore, according to the Apostle John, Goodlatte is a liar. What will I do or what should we do? If there is no other option available then I must not, in good conscience, vote for someone who is advancing antimessiah doctrine. Goodlatte does not believe in sickness or death. He believes it is all in the mind. Therefore, how can he act on behalf of the sick and dying if sickness is not real to him?
On the other hand, if there is someone else, whether religious or pagan, who does not deny Jesus is the Messiah, why wouldn't I vote for him or her? We are in the world and we must deal with those in the world. God has not told us to remain at bay with those in the world. Where would a Christian work or eat? We can be in the world without loving the world. We are not to share in the works of evil doers. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul tells us we are to be judgmental of those who claim to be Christian and furthermore, have nothing to do with them. On the other hand Paul says we are ok with pagan associations if they do not corrupt us;
1Corinthians 5:9; I wrote to you in my letter to stop associating with people who are sexually immoral- not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or greedy people, robbers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you to stop associating with any so-called brother if he is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunk, or a robber. With such a person you must even stop eating. After all, is it my business to judge outsiders? You are to judge those who are inside, aren't you? God will judge outsiders. "Put that wicked man away from you."
God will judge the garden variety pagans. In the meantime, we are to be concerned with liars and wolves in sheeps clothing. If we have opportunity to vote for a candidate who is in agreement with the US Constitution and supports religious freedoms, we do not make abortion (for example) the standard. The Bible does not tell us to insist the candidate be a Christian. It is ridiculous to make such a rule toward voting standards. Besides, Washington is filled with corruption and compromise. There will be too many conflicts, too many confrontations, etc for a Christian in office. This is why morals and ethics should not determine whether to vote or not to vote. Our decision of who to vote for should be based upon what the person believes about God. Do they make claim to be the genuine article and yet, deny sound doctrine and even oppose it?
I am going to make someone angry here, but it must also be said; I can't believe the number of people who look outside of the Scriptures to make a decision about who to vote for. Many people depend upon the words of moralists. Focus on the Family is not our Bible. Focus on the family would have you believe a pro-life candidate is what makes a good candidate. So, what if we have a Muslim who is pro-life? Should we move him to the front of the ranks for the office? "Constitutional" websites, as well meaning as they may be, are not our Bibles. We have the filling of the Holy Spirit and He shall direct our paths based upon His word impressed into our consciences. The point is, we must categorize the candidates. Our vote must not be given to a person(s) who is actively involved in a religion that attacks the Son of God. Our vote can and should be considered to be toward the pagan who cares about the Country and the defense of the Country and the advancement of the Countries Constitution. If we see an evil presence coming that will hinder our peaceful Christian life then we must act against the works of darkness. We must consider a vote toward a non-believer if it will keep an antimessiah out of office.
Yes it is quite true that God places men and women in positions of authority, but....we are commanded to seek His face and His will. He uses crooked sticks to draw straight lines. He has often used ordinary men to do His will. Therefore, we must act responsibly. When we are faced with the possibility of a government official(s) who will put us in a position that we cannot proclaim the gospel nor speak of our Messiah boldly, then we must vote biblically.
May it never be that we have to repeat the words of Peter because of the authorites he had to deal with. What do you think will happen if we have a Muslim in Congress or the White House? We will be told not to teach in his name.
Acts 5:28 He said, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in his name, didn't we? Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man's blood on us!" But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus to life after you hung him on a tree and killed him. God has exalted to his right hand this very man as our Leader and Savior in order to give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who keep on obeying him."
If I may, let me give to you our responsibilities/obligations as Christians to the State.
We should take advantage of the judicial system given to us if we have been lawfully wronged and if the case is outside of the Church jurisdiction. Paul appealed to the higher authorities for justice. He also used the legal system for protection.
Acts 22:25 But when they had tied him up with the straps, Paul asked the centurion who was standing there, "Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn't been condemned?" When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, "What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!" So the tribune went and asked Paul, "Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?" "Yes," he said. Then the tribune replied, "I paid a lot of money for this citizenship of mine." Paul said, "But I was born a citizen." Immediately those who were about to examine him stepped back, and the tribune was afraid when he found out that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had tied him up. The next day, since the Tribune wanted to find out exactly what Paul was being accused of by the Jews, he released him and ordered the high priests and the entire Council to meet. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
We must also pray for those in positions of authority. The US Constitution was designed to permit the opportunity of voting for the responsible person(s) to be placed into authority. Therefore, we must take opportunity and go to the polls especially when evil is knocking at the door. If we see someone who is hostile to Christianity we must do what we can to stop this person. We stop this person by voting against him or her.
Judges 2:16 Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.
We do not want to stand by and watch evil advance because we are not happy with a candidate running for a position in office. Feelings are not to be our guide. Will the candidate give us security from our enemies? Will they help to secure our borders? Do they identify Islam a threat to the West? Will they consider Israel a friend to the US and protect them as they would also protect us in a time of need?
If, by the will of God, this evil is put in power, we must PRAY even more! God can stop the future Pharaohs who will do all they can to hurt Christians and the Nation of Israel. But, believing in God's sovereignty is not a ticket to refuse to go to the polls. We must ask God to put the right person(s) into power, but we are also given instructions who we should not vote for as I stated above
The Lord has been kind toward us in that, he has given a Constitution that many other Countries do not have. Our obligations are the same as in the first century;
1Timothy 2:1; First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,
for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.
Romans 13:5; Therefore, it is necessary for you to be subject, not only because of God's wrath but also because of your own conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God's servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work. Pay everyone whatever you owe them-taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.
1Peter 2:13 For the Lord's sake submit yourselves to every human authority: whether to the king as supreme, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants. Show honor to everyone. Keep on loving the brothers, fearing God, and honoring the king.
A final thought.. We are also forgetful that we should be involved in the defense of our Country. Who we vote for should always be in the best interest of the soldiers welfare. I have a saying on behalf of the US military. "If you cannot be there with them, then you can be here for them!"
Pray for our troops. If you disagree with the war then that is your option. Don't take it out on the troops in harms way. Dont forget, every terrorist killed over there is one who will not come across our borders to kill us!
And besides, where is your faith? Wars are determined by God! Where is your heart? We were already warned that wars and rumors of wars would come. Schlomo said there is a time for everything, "a time for war and a time for peace." We were not told how these wars would come about or how they would be settled so why are we second guessing the Lord? I am not a fan of any political party. I do know this. Many men and women who disagree with the war do not have the courage to raise their fists up to God and so they blame it on the President and make him the scape goat.
May I remind you the President is also accountable to the will of God. The President did not have the final say concerning the war. God did! Be at peace all you that disagree with the war. Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been His counselor?
Yes, voting is matter of conscience, and no man should be the conscience for another person. But, it is also the responsibility of an individual to make an informed decision and this sometimes comes through Scriptural arguments, research, friends, etc. The Bible tells us our responsibilities and I posted a few obligations. Think of those running for the position of king. Will they help us or will they help the enemies of Christianity? No Muslim will help the freedom Christians and Jews enjoy at this time.
Do not take the typical moralist position and say "I will not vote for anyone else other than a Christian." That is irresponsible and wreck less. Often times, we justify our vote by saying we will vote for the lesser of two evils. I do not have a problem with that if the lesser evil is not an antimessiah. I will vote for the heathen who upholds the US Constitution. As I said, Goodlatte is a Christian Scientist. Is one antimessiah and better than another? Is he really the lesser of two evils? Have we considered any other persons to vote for?
If anyone thinks we have had any genuine godly Presidents in the office for decades, they are deceived. The majority of people on the planet are religious and take the name Christian because apparently, the term is associated with the offices they seek. I was asked what President will I vote for as a Messianic Jew? As I said above; the Bible is my voters guide. Will it be the one who is religious and upholds the Constitution or the one who is a closet Muslim? Im going with the religious one who upholds the Constitution. I have serious doubts about whether or not McCain or Palin are Christians in the true sense of the meaning, but they are not antimessiah.
God will not bless a Nation that seeks a Muslim to watch over them any more than when the Nation of Israel chose wicked kings over them. Judgement always follows idolatry. He may give us peace, but do not expect peace with a ruler who is against the Son of God.