For most Christians the idea of not voting sounds sacrilegious. But following Jesus means turning away from the “patterns of this world” in favor of a better way – the Kingdom of God.
Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t vote if you follow Christ:
1. Because in over 6,000 years of human history, politics hasn’t solved any of our basic problems
2. Because politics divides the Body of Christ and creates false “us vs them” mentality
3. Because we will one day give an account to God for how we spent our time/money and investing in such an ineffective system is unjustified.
4. Because politics is about writing, passing and enforcing laws. Even God’s law wasn’t capable of creating the change we need. Why do we think we can do better?
5. Because when you have the power to change every human heart from within and make people brand new inside you don’t waste time on politics
6. Because we realize that to have a Christian nation you need to start with a nation of Christians. By making disciples we’re collaborating with Jesus to remake the world from within.
7. Because the Gospel is not spread through political actions or laws.
8. Because we admit that seeking political solutions to mankind’s problems is the same as giving up on the power of the Gospel to change people from within.
9. Because passing laws that force people to act Christian isn’t the same as making people like Christ.
10. Because our core problems, as a human race, are spiritual in nature. That means the only solution is spiritual.
11. Because politics is ultimately about compromise, power and corruption and no follower of Jesus needs to get entangled in those things.
12. Because human governments are essentially focused on gaining power and national wealth through violence and war.
13. Because politics is part of the world system we are called out of and saved from. It is one of the entanglements the scriptures call us to avoid.
14. Because the currency of politics are fame, money, power, manipulation and lies.
15. Because politics involves raising and spending billions of dollars which could better be used to build the Kingdom, feed the poor, care for the sick and comfort the outcast.
16. Because the NT portrays the enemies of Jesus as “the nations” and “the Kings of the earth”, we must stand with Jesus and work to advance His Kingdom, not promote earthly governments or leaders.
17. Because choosing between the lesser of two evils is still a choice for evil.
One of the most dangerous entanglements faced by Christians is in politics. Why? Simply because those who become entangled in politics do so out of a sincere desire to make a positive difference in the world. But rather than employ the methods that Jesus gave to us, they are attempting to change the world using the world’s systems.
Jesus did not come to give us more of the same, but with a cross on top. No, He came to show us a new and different way than anything we had ever even imagined before. This is why He started His Sermon on the Mount by urging all of us to “think differently” about everything. He had different ideas like overcoming evil with good, loving our enemies, and laying down our lives for one another.
Of course, every Christian hopes to make an impact on the world. But Jesus has the very best possible plan for changing the world from the inside out – without bloodshed or oppression or violence.
No, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to make the world a better place. The problem is in seeking to do so without Jesus. Or, worse, to mix Christianity with Politics.
You know what you get when you mix religion and politics? You get politics.
Jesus shows us a better way.
Let's follow Him.
-kg
