For us as Christians, what is our responsibility to God and man as we approach these elections? First, it is to realize that we have a responsibility of action.
Romans 13:1 says, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."

As we approach our national elections, I desire to impart to you our responsibility as Christians. In doing so, it's my prayer that you take these thoughts to heart and prayer, and that this teaching will help eliminate confusion over who we should be voting for.

In fact, I shouldn't need to tell you who to vote for. God's Word should make that crystal clear.

For us as Christians, what is our responsibility to God and man as we approach these elections? First, it is to realize that we have a responsibility of action. Even though there are countries that do not like—even hate—our nation, the majority of the world that knows the heart of America.

They love America for that which it stands—freedom. Freedom to make choices, freedom to worship God, freedom of speech, freedom to succeed at what is in one's heart to do.

America is called the land of opportunity and rightly so. Many have also seen how this nation stands for these freedoms at home and elsewhere, and they have seen that America will put its money and action behind freedom.

Other nations have seen a history of the generosity and compassion of this nation always reaching to other countries when crisis comes and compassion is needed—even regarding our enemies! The blessing of God upon this nation has been seen by all who have eyes to see.

And yet there are many who are jealous, many who misunderstand us, and some who are just plain wicked, deceived, and evil in their view of this nation. That's as true for this nation as it can be true for any individual who experiences success at a high level.

They will be loved by some and hated by others. Regardless, a person or a nation has to be true to itself!

With that in mind, let me pose the question again: As Christians, what is our responsibility to God and man as we approach the elections?" The answer is simple and it should be. Our responsibility is what God says it is.

Unfortunately, that is where the problem lies. If people don't know or understand what God says, then they can't know what responsibility He gives us. The world outside of Jesus Christ is ignorant of God's ways, but Christians should not have to use this excuse.

If one calls him/herself a Christian, then they should know the responsibilities that God has given to us regarding the elections.

First, God calls us to not look to or put trust in man for provision and peace, but instead to absolutely trust in Him.

Jeremiah 17 says:

This is what the LORD says: Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
(vv. 5-8)

We need to be mindful of the fact that God established this nation.

If we put all our trust in God, we shouldn't be indifferent, apathetic, or careless toward the elections, although it has happened to many Christians. There were millions—and I do mean millions—of Christians who did not vote in the last elections.

That is unacceptable to God. It opens the door to the enemy in our lives. Just because we trust in God (and not in man) does not mean that we don't work toward putting men and women in office.

It is God who has established offices of authority that He instructs us to pray for, rather than mock or become indifferent to them. He deals with the hearts of leaders as we are faithful to do our parts.

Our First Responsibility
Place your trust in God, but don't become indifferent toward the process He has allowed for our nation—the elections.

1 Timothy 2:1-3 instructs us, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."

You need to connect these dots. God does not have you pray for those in authority but have you avoid the process that He created in order to raise them up; that process is, of course, prayer and election.

To not pray is indifference. To not vote is indifference. Indifference is a lack of caring. God calls this being lukewarm—neither hot or cold.

God says of this person, "I know your actions, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! But, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16).

Our lives as Christians are about having as much influence for God in this earth as we can. The electing of our President and other elected officials are God-given privileges.

God does not want any of us indifferent about the election process!

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