'Tis the season for voting guides… the season we greet one another with "Who are you voting for?" With the air wafting with political cheer and punditry and our churches buzzing with candidate conversations, let's not forget the weighty significance of our role as individuals and as a church in this matter. In November, the American people are called upon once again to elect one of the most powerful political leaders in the free world. The next President of the United States will help shape the economic, foreign, domestic, and military policy of our nation for the next four years. He will command the United States military as commander in chief, he will execute the laws passed by Congress, and he will appoint judges to maintain liberty and uphold justice. The decisions that he makes may have far reaching implications, not only for our nation, but also for the entire world. Thus, it is no small matter for us to think biblically in casting our vote. And our duty is to seek, first and foremost, to honor God with our act of voting.
As Christians, the most important question to ask during election season is: "Does God, in the Bible give His people direction for how to identify worthy civil leaders?" We know there are requirements for pastors but what about civil leaders? Are there commands? Are there examples? Are there principles that would guide us? The answer is, yes! God in His kindness, has not left us alone and without revealing His thoughts and giving us His principles for the selection of civil leaders. In fact, God explicitly declares in Scripture the kinds of civil leaders you ought to vote for.
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