Election Perspective

Even non-Christian Americans are troubled by the Presidential choices and are deeply dissatisfied with the two major candidates. There seem to be three options. First, vote for the lesser of two evils. Second, vote for a third-party candidate. Third, don't vote at all. Which is correct?

The answer will not be the same for everyone. However, some proponents of each option are so dogmatic that they seem to condemn anyone who does not share their position. As Americans, we have the right to voice our opinions, and even as Christians it is appropriate to share insights that can be helpful to others, but we must maintain a proper perspective. While Romans 14 treats the specific examples of diets and holidays, it teaches an underlying principle that easily applies to the election dilemma.

This dilemma comes down to a matter of conscience. One person's conscience tells him to follow option one of the opening paragraph, while another's conscience directs him to option two or three. This difference leads to contention, arguing, and rebukes. In the Biblical example, "One person has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. The one who eats is not to regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to judge the one who eats, for God has accepted him" (vs. 2-3). Also, "One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God" (vs. 5-6).

If one person's conscience allows him to do something that another person cannot in good conscience do, the two are neither to regard each other with contempt nor to judge each other. (As a point of clarity, this principle refers to situations that the Bible does address either directly or by clear principle, and the election falls within that undefined realm.) Verses 5-6 provide an important perspective. Whichever decision one makes, it must be for the Lord. In other words, "voting my conscience" is not an excuse or a cop-out, neither is it something to be taken lightly. It is not based on political preference or on human logic. Rather, it is based on a careful and prayerful consideration of what one knows about God, how one understands the Bible, and how one believes he can honor God.

It is indeed God to whom each person will answer. "So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God" (v. 12). Each person is responsible for carefully considering the situation, seeking God's guidance, and then following through with what God shows him. Any lesser response would be sinful. "But to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean" (v. 14b). "All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense" (v. 20b). "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin" (v. 23). (emphasis added)

The first application is that each individual must earnestly seek what God would have him to do. Then, in spite of the opinions and pressures of others, he must steadfastly follow through. If God directs him to option one, two, or three, then he must not do anything else. "The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves" (v. 22).

The second application is that each Christian must be sensitive to his brothers. Another's belief of conscience can be just as strong as one's own. It is appropriate to present (in a humble spirit) one's insights, and even to gently try to persuade, but when someone argues that a Christian cannot possibly have an opinion different from his own, he has crossed the line. I have seen and read statements that in essence say, "My position is the only correct position, and if you disagree, you are dead wrong." Because of the weight of their opinions, those in positions of respect must be especially careful, never trying to impose guilt or sway someone from following what he believes is right before God.

God reveals how serious such intimidation is. "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way" (v. 13) "For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died" (v. 15) "So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food" (vs. 19-20 emphasis added).

Some will recall that Romans 14 refers to a "weaker brother"; they might protest, "Why should America be destroyed because weaker brothers are voting for the wrong person?" Let us not be so confident to believe that we are the stronger brother. Might not those who condemn others as being wrong actually be the ones who are weak? Indeed the dilemma is complex enough that any one of us could, if we tried, successfully argue for either of the other two positions. Allow me to illustrate.

Option one: Vote for the lesser of two evils.

Only a vote for a major-party candidate will count, and I cannot waste my vote when God has given me a responsibility to fight for righteousness. I want to be salt and light and want to influence my government as much as I can and protect my country as much as I can, so I must cast a vote that will matter. While both choices are undesirable, one will cause a greater threat to Christian values and freedoms, so I must vote for the other choice. Inasmuch as rests in my power, I cannot allow a more precipitous decline for America and cannot allow America to be a harder place for my children to live in and a place that will threaten their faith.

Option two: Vote for someone other than those two options.

I cannot make a choice based on human reasoning, but must think of what would honor God. I am a Christian first and an American second, so if at all possible, I will not vote for a candidate whose entire life mocks God's righteousness. Instead of a short-term view that assumes this is America's and Christianity's last chance, I will take a longer-term view that raises a cry for morality and decency both now and in the future. Even if my candidate does not (or cannot) win, I believe that God will still be in control and will carry out what He intends in America. Many Bible characters were called upon to stand for righteousness, even if it meant loss or death, and voting for an honorable candidate is more important than seeing a political victory.

Option three: Don't vote at all.

Neither candidate is worthy of the office and therefore I cannot vote for either of them. The situation is so confusing that I really don't know what God wants or what would be best. On the one hand, it seems that God could not possibly be honored by either choice, and on the other hand, regardless of who is elected, God can do what He intends to do in the hearts of people and in America as a whole. Neither candidate is beyond God's grace, so it is possible for either one to be truly saved and begin to rely on God's help. Since human understanding is so incapable, I will leave the decision entirely up to God and His sovereignty. After all, God (through various means) sets up and takes down rulers, and maybe it is best to allow God to do so without getting in the way.

I earnestly believe that God will legitimately direct individual Christians to each of the three options given, and that He will do so in the proper combination to work out His plan. If each Christian considers the questions and arguments above and in earnest prayer asks God to direct him, he can know what action to take. Additionally, a believer who considers the truths above will not condemn, revile, or insult his brother who comes to a different conclusion. One thing is certain; whatever outcome results, it will be the one that God has ordained. Therefore, after the election, no one should cast blame at those who "ruined" the election by choosing the wrong option. "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven  and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’" (Daniel 4:35).