2020 has been an interesting year, and to top it off, we have what feels like one of the most important elections we have had in our (20-30 something-year-old) lifetime. But why does this election feel so important?

For me, It seems as though our nation is becoming more and more polarized on very important topics such as immigration, tax policy, healthcare, welfare, global warming, gun control, and free speech, just to name a few, and we are often left feeling at a loss.

Questions overwhelm my mind day and night, and it only gets worse the closer November gets.

Who should we vote for this election season?

Who should we vote for when we don’t like any of the candidates?

Should Christians only vote conservative?

Does voting Democratic mean I am Pro-Choice?

What topics should believers care about?

To top it off, we can’t have honest conversations with other people for fear of upsetting or offending someone or worse--looking like a “sheep”.

So what do we do? What do we, the Christians who aren’t so certain about everything, do this election season?

What Does the Bible Say About Politics?

The Bible should be our living manual. It tells us who God is and what He has commanded for us to do. It can be very clear on some topics - “thou shalt not murder” but then pretty vague on other topics - “once saved, always saved?” So what does it say about politics and authority figures?

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.” Romans 13:1 (AMP)

When we look at Romans 13:1, it seems clear that God places people into power, but, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t vote! On the contrary, as believers, we should use our voice and vote. If we don’t stand up for His truth, then who will? It’s not like God is the only one submitting ballots… We must do our due diligence and show up. Period.

BUT - the results…. That is out of our hands. Once we have done our part. There’s nothing more we can do.

Thankfully, our hope comes from knowing that God is sovereign (has supreme power/authority) over it all, not from the outcome of an election.

When we place our hope in our political parties, ideologies or election results, we are removing God from the equation.

He has granted those in authority (be it for good or for bad). The same God that allowed President Obama to serve, also allowed President Trump to serve.

Let that sink in. He is the same God that allowed Hitler, Stalin, and many more authority figures to rise up. But why?

Let’s take it back to the book of Romans (seriously, my favorite book in the Bible).

“What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” - Romans 9:14-18 ESV (emphasis mine).

If this verse is hard to understand then break it down one sentence at a time. Is there injustice on God’s part? No. (verse 14).

Rather than injustice, He shows mercy and compassion for those He chooses (verse 15).

It all depends on God, not human will or exertion (ie human effort) (verse 16).

He raises certain people for a purpose. To show his power (verse 17).

Please, be encouraged that no matter which way you vote, our God is still the same God and He is our ultimate hope.

How to prepare for the upcoming election

Recognize that we are all created in His image. Trump, Biden, Obama, all of us.*
Listen to both sides. Listen to receive not to respond.*
Remember our hope is eternal and wholly in Christ.*
Allow your convictions to drive your political action, not the other way around.
Extend grace to fellow believers, whom by their own convictions may disagree with you.

If you leave this post with anything, it should be this--Follow your convictions that the holy spirit has placed on your heart. Then, vote according to the candidate that speaks to those convictions as closely as possible. Finally, release the results into God’s sovereignty (His supreme power) and place your hope for the future solely on Him.