In my previous post I had said that how we vote matters both here and in eternity. In heaven, it can affect our rewards for “the things done in the body” (2 Corinthians 5:10). And on earth, our voting choices directly impact our daily lives, because the officials we elect can make life easy or difficult for us by the laws they pass.

If elected officials are faith-friendly, they will pass laws that allow us to practice our faith in peace. If not, we will face “persecution by legislation,” which Christians in America are increasingly facing.

Since voting is so consequential, how should Bible-believing Christians vote? Here are two guiding principles.

1. The Principle of Agreement

To vote means to express one’s wish, choice, or support for something or someone. Whether we realize it or not, when we vote for a political candidate, we are expressing agreement with the values they represent.

Heaven and earth both operate on the principle of agreement. In Matthew 18:19, Jesus tells us that if two people agree touching anything on earth, it will be done by His Father in heaven. And in Amos 3:3 the Lord rhetorically asks, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?”

Agreement is the basis of virtually every human relationship, including marriage. Even a mundane matter like making a purchase requires agreement. The seller agrees to hand over an item for a certain amount, and the buyer agrees to hand over that amount to obtain the item.

As Bible-believing Christians, this principle of agreement is why we should vote biblically.

I must clarify that voting biblically is not the same as voting for Jesus. Some of the reactions to my essay in The Christian Post, “Why Voting for Jesus Does Not Count,” render this clarification necessary.

The title of that essay was referring to the literal act of “writing in” the name of Jesus on the ballot, which my neighbor had done in 2016. I touch on the issue of voting biblical values at the end, but the point of the essay was that writing “Jesus Christ” on one’s ballot is pointless, since the Lord is not a political candidate.

2. The Principle of Platform

Since voting is so consequential, we must examine every candidate’s platform carefully before casting our ballot. The one issue that will help us make our choice quickly is the candidate’s stance on abortion.

Although abortion is promoted as a woman’s right to choose, as I write in this essay, it is in fact the shedding of innocent blood, and God considers that “an abomination” (Proverbs 6:16-19). And anyone even remotely familiar with the Bible will know that “Thou shalt not kill” is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:13).

Knowing that the Bible forbids murder and that the shedding of innocent blood is an abomination to God, Bible-believing Christians cannot in good conscience vote for candidates who are for abortion. If anything, we have an obligation to support pro-life candidates.

The 2020 presidential voter guide published by Family Research Council lists the two candidates’ positions on key issues, starting with abortion. Whereas President Trump is pro-life, Joe Biden openly supports both taxpayer-funded abortions and Roe v. Wade.

Nor should we forget that the vice presidential candidates are also diametrically opposed on the issue. Mike Pence stands for life, while Kamala Harris supports abortion at all stages. Should Joe Biden get elected, Harris will be one heartbeat from the U.S. presidency on January 20, 2021.

As I said in my last post, how we vote does not determine whether we go to heaven or to hell. Even so, shouldn’t those who claim to have eternal life also choose life this side of eternity?

PHOTO: SHARON ARPANA EDWARDS

(c) 2020 Sharon Arpana Edwards. All Rights Reserved.