Question: Are there specific scriptures that lead a person to vote for conservative candidates?
I believe God hates the shedding of innocent blood and is for traditional marriage, but I would like to get scriptures for proof that we will be held accountable for the people we put in office.
Answer:
Your question involves many intersecting scriptural principles. The examples you give of marriage and shedding of innocent blood are very good scriptural principles that apply to “God’s people” and you should certainly consider them in your decision-making. We will all be judged (Rom. 2:2, 2 Cor. 5:10, Rom. 14:10-12) at the appointed time in God’s plan. The world is not under judgment at this time in the Gospel age (John 3:17, 2 Pet. 3:7); it will be judged during the Millennial Kingdom of Christ (John 5:28-29 – “judgment,” not “damnation” – the King James Bible is a poor translation, John 9:39,10:16). We as consecrated Christians ARE under judgment in this Gospel age (1 Pet. 4:17) for we seek a heavenly calling now while in the world and therefore have placed ourselves under development and review. We have given up the world, the things of the world, and all that the world holds dear. We should be dead to the world. Therefore, we are no longer of the world (John 17:14-16, Phil. 3:20-21). We are strangers, pilgrims (Heb 11:13, 1 Pet. 2:11) and ambassadors (Eph. 6:20), all of which should not get caught up in the affairs of a country or the world to which they no longer belong, nor would they bother voting in it.
It is clear, until Christ fully establishes his kingdom on earth (Matt. 6:10), it is under the influence and control of the “prince of this world” (John 14:30, Eph. 2:2). We have evidence of this in that Jesus, when he fasted in the wilderness after his baptism, was tempted by Satan to be given the kingdoms and glory of this world (Matt. 4:8-9). Jesus refused because he was on a mission from his Father, likewise, we are on a mission form Jesus. Jesus also said of this Gospel age, “… if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight…” (John 18:36). God’s saints should rejoice in the promise that soon Christ will overthrow all present earthly governments, and on their ruins establish the long promised Kingdom of God (Dan. 2:44).” It is not for us to attempt to form what God has already begun in his work. We should not presume that our efforts will bring about God’s outcomes or his will (Isa 55:8-9). Nor should we unwittingly be voting for someone that God has not ordained or appointed lest we be fighting against God (Acts 5:38-39). God does not need our help.
On the contrary, it has been said, “He who votes in an election is morally bound to sustain the government he has participated in making — even to the giving of his life in its defense.” If we vote, and the one we vote for were as you point out, shed innocent blood, will we not also be guilty of participating in the shedding of the blood? Others have stated, “…soldiers of the cross are not to battle with carnal weapons, but have consecrated their lives even unto death in the service of another kingdom, whose interests are often against those of all the kingdoms of this world.” When God ensures that the governments of the world are replaced by his kingdom, it will not be by a bloodless revolution at the ballot box, but by “…a time of trouble such as was not since there was a nation…” (Dan. 12:1) in which the Lord will dash the kingdoms of this world to pieces, as “…pottery is shivered before the blows of an iron rod…” (Rev 2:26-27).
A pastor wrote, “A mistake is made by Christians in trying to apply to the world rules and laws given only to the saints. Our earth life should, like Jesus’ life, be spent more for others than for self – doing good to all men, as we have opportunity, especially to the household of faith.” Each one has opportunity to carry out this principle of self sacrifice in the everyday affairs of life. In our judgment, the common habit of speaking and thinking of the new nature as being an engrafting of a spiritual element into a natural man and of the blending in us of the human and divine natures, are serious and hurtful errors.
Taking a case in point, after Jesus ascended to heaven, the 11 apostles took it upon themselves to vote Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:26). Later on the road to Damascus, the glorified Jesus chose Saul to become Paul and serve him. Which did God ordain to be the replacement for Judas and the 12 apostles? How many Christians consider Matthias an apostle to this day?
We are to abide while in this world and to obey our leaders (Heb. 13:17, Titus 3:1) but we must still keep God’s principles. “Render to Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” (Matt. 22:21). Though this may seem foreign to some, we are to be bond servants to Christ (1 Cor. 7:22). In Christ, we have grace (John 1:17, Rom. 1:5), justification (Rom 3:24) and God sanctifies us and shapes us unto holiness if willing (John 17:16-17). Making decisions about worldly issues such as candidates for worldly office will not separate us from God (Rom 8:38-39). At the same time, if a Christian chooses to get into the affairs of the world, we should make every decision striving to applying the principles of truth, where and when possible, as we will have to give an account of our actions (Rom 14:12).
If you let the world worry about its own affairs (Matt. 8:22) and focus your efforts on serving God, then you should not have any concerns. God will work out his will for us and for the world (2 Tim. 2:21, Rom. 8:28).
