Why Vote?

'Why should I vote?’ It’s a big question for Christians.

Especially in a culture that feels increasingly far from Christian values. Is there any point? We hear this a lot.

Whilst politics in a broken world can be deeply discouraging at times, we believe that voting matters. Here are ten reasons to #GetOutAndVote.

1

Christians believe that mankind has been created to rule the earth and subdue it. Government is a means by which we steward God’s creation.

2

When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, he said to love God and to love your neighbour. Voting is one way we can work on behalf of those around us.

3

Even though we may feel like exiles in conflict with the world today, God wants his people to seek the peace and prosperity of our nation.

4

Christians have a special calling to speak up on behalf of the voiceless and the most vulnerable.

5

We believe that God has revealed to us his good law which helps humans to flourish, and we want to see it reflected in the laws our governments pass.

6

God calls us to submit to the governing authorities who we elect through our votes.

7

The Bible tells us about occasions where leaders have led their people astray; the politicians we elect will shape our nation, and can lead people closer to or away from God.

8

Jesus says that we should steward the gifts which God gives us. Many people in history have not had the gift of a voice in a fair, democratic election like we do.

9

God will hold us accountable for the actions we do not take, just as He will for those we do take. Not voting is not a neutral act: we are still influencing the outcome, just as if we do vote.

10

The Bible shows us that we are to care for our political leaders and to pray for them, so that we might live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is to be our aspiration for the politicians we elect.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Genesis 1:28

28 God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’

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Mark 12:28–34

The greatest commandment

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
29‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” 31The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
32‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
34When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

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Jeremiah 29:7

7Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.’

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Proverbs 31:8–9

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

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Psalm 19:7–10

7The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.

10They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.

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Romans 13:1–7

Submission to governing authorities

13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give to everyone what you owe them: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.
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Isaiah 9:16

16Those who guide this people mislead them, and those who are guided are led astray.

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Matthew 25:14–30

The parable of the bags of gold

14‘Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

19‘After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.”

21‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

22‘The man with two bags of gold also came. “Master,” he said, “you entrusted me with two bags of gold: see, I have gained two more.”

23‘His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”

24‘Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. “Master,” he said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.”

26‘His master replied, “You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28‘“So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

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James 4:17

17If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

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1 Timothy 2:1–2

Instructions on worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

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