One Biblical Reason Why Christians Should Vote-Part One

Since 2012 is the year that Christian Americans have the opportunity (along with all Americans) in choosing their own president, I think it is important to remember from a biblical perspective why one should vote.  Although there isn't a biblical command to go out and vote, I believe there is a strong biblical reason given by the Scriptures that compels us to fulfill our duty as Christian Americans.   Here is the one biblical reason why Christian Americans should vote--we have a biblical example through the Apostle Paul of using our citizenship for the furtherance of the gospel.

The Apostle Paul (called Saul at this time) was saved by God's grace in Acts 9: 1-22 while he was on the road to Damascus to imprison Christians for teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  At this point in Saul's life, he was not a Christian, but rather one of the chief persecutors (Acts 9:1-2; Galatians 1:13-14) of the early church. Once the Apostle Paul met the Lord Jesus and was converted by the Gospel, he spent his life no longer defending his former faith, but rather seeking to live out and reach others for Christ (Acts 13:1-3; Galatians 2:20).  During his ministry, there were times that he ran into obstacles (from his point of view, but not God's--Romans 8:28) that seem to be obstructing his path in fulfilling God's calling on his life.  It is interesting to note that during some of these times he takes advantage of being a Roman citizen, and uses his earthly citizenship to help him further the Kingdom of God.  Lets look at some of these times in the historical Book of Acts in the New Testament (This post will examine just one example with later posts exploring other examples.).

In Acts 16 the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas are beaten and thrown into prison for preaching the gospel in Philippi. God rescues Paul and Silas from jail through an earthquake, causing the doors of the prison to open up.  The next day, the Philippian Jailer, who just converted to Christianity (see Acts 16:27-33), told them that they were free to leave according to the magistrates of the city.  It is here in Acts 16:37-40 that the Apostle Paul states that he and Silas are Roman citizens and that what the magistrates did to them was illegal without a trial. The result of Paul and Silas exercising their citizenship?  Paul and Silas were apologized to by the magistrates and were allowed to leave the city in success. What was their success?  The success was they left behind Christians who were encouraged through Paul's example to be faithful to God and to exercise their new faith in Christ (Philippians 1:5). If you examine the church the Apostle Paul founded in Philippi, the church ended up being known as very faithful to the Gospel and full of love and care for all (See the New Testament Book of Philippians).

Now what is the lesson for Christian Americans from this account in Paul's life? The lesson is using earthly citizenship can open up doors of ministry and encourage Christians to be more bold in their faith.  As Christian Americans vote according to their bibilically guided conscience they help pass laws and elect representatives that will allow the churches in America to have the freedom to exercise their faith without being hindered. This in turn encourages Christians to be more bold in sharing Christ. Therefore this year vote!  Vote in such a way that the Kingdom of God can have more opportunity to spread and grow in the United States of America!

The next post will deal with another example from the Apostle Paul's ministry:  Acts 22:25-30.

Pastor Steve
Psalm 119:89