As to Voting

Question:

Kindly state your reasons why Christians should not vote. Daniel appears to have been connected with the government of Babylon, and the powers that be are ordained of God. Then why should not the people of God, as well as others, these days have a voice in these things?

Answer:

We have not said that Christians should not vote. Here are, however, some principles worthy of consideration:

1. All parties in power in the nation, state, and municipality today have again and again betrayed the trust that good men thought they would keep. Under the present political management of “boss rule,” no man can be assured that his vote will count for righteousness, whether the party he votes for wins or loses.
2. Moral sentiment or principle is of little account in the politics of today. Primarily it is a matter of spoils.
3. Where simple, direct local issues are at stake, where the question is clear and plain, it is well for the Christian to record his vote as a protest against wrong, as a witness to the right.
4. But to enter the corrupting pool of politics, to identify himself with the constant perversion of every true principle, is subversive of Christianity and vitiating to his Christian character. For a picture of this time, read Isaiah 59; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
5. If a man undertakes to remedy the affairs of this world by any means, he should be consistent and be willing to follow it to the end. The bullet may be the logical outcome of the ballot. No Christian can be a politician. Where policy molds the life, principle will not tarry.
6. The true child of God is a follower of Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36. Here he is a “pilgrim” and a “stranger;” an ambassador of another government; his “citizenship is in heaven.” Hebrews 11:9, 13; Philippians 3:20. Here are some other scriptures worthy of study: Psalms 146:3-10; Isaiah 31:1-3; Zechariah 4:6.
7. The Christian can always be the most significant help to any government or any community by living the Christ life. Politics never strengthen the true influence of the church.

True, Daniel served in Babylon, but as a faithful slave, not as a politician. Romans 13:1 is a general statement about civil government, the worst of which is better than anarchy. God calls Nebuchadnezzar His servant. (See Jeremiah 27:6). But some of our “Christian” politicians, had they then lived, might have endeavored to defeat him and so have been found working against God. We are told to obey civil rulers; where are we instructed to elect, appoint, install, or do politics for them?