FAITH WITHOUT VOTING IS DEAD!

JAMES 2:18-20: “Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” NLT

OBSERVATION: If you have decided to read this post it is for one of two reasons.

1. You agree with the statement and want to see how it is defended.

2. You are offended by this statement and can’t believe someone would even make it!

Which one are you?

We find ourselves in the heat of another presidential election cycle. The two sides could not be more different, the two choices more distinct. There is a great deal at stake in this coming election. Some believe that it will be the turning point for America. Will the Great American Experiment become just another failed nation in the annals of history? Or will there be a brighter future ahead for this One Nation Under Godwhich has done more to promote personal freedom in the world than any other in human history?

How this question will be answered is what divides us in our country. As a nation, we are more divided than at any time since the Civil War. As a Christ follower, I cannot sit idly by. My faith compels me to get involved and put my prayers into action.

Yet, many Christians today dismiss the importance of politics and see voting as unimportant. They see the political process as evil within itself. They pray for revival, a fresh visitation of God upon America, yet they do not see that their faith is incomplete, their prayers are only half prayers…

UNLESS PRAYERS AND FAITH ARE COMBINED WITH VOTING!

Please allow me to share my Biblical justification for making such a bold statement. This may sound heretical when it is first stated. Yet, as I read the book of James, and as the Holy Spirit began to remind me of other key Scriptures, I could not escape this truth.

FAITH WITHOUT VOTING IS DEAD!

Let’s review what James has to say about faith and works.

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” (James 2:14-17, NLT)

This is a very practical lesson on the importance of faith being confirmed by tangible acts of kindness, giving, and obedience. To see someone in need and simply say – “Have a good day! I’ll be praying for you!” – and then go on our way not giving them any tangible means of help or support shows that our faith is incomplete.

Faith without action is empty. It is dead!

Abraham is our Father of faith. God gave him a promise that He would make Abraham a great nation. Abraham believed God’s promise and his faith was accounted unto him as righteousness before God. Yet, if Abraham had not acted on that faith it would have been incomplete. His faith would have been dead!

“Don’t you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” He was even called the friend of God. So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone.” (James 2:21-24, NLT)

So what does this have to do with faith and voting? EVERYTHING!

FIRST – the Bible teaches us to pray for all the leaders God has established over us. Why are we to pray for them? It is so we can live a quiet and peaceable life and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world so that all may be saved!

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1Timothy 2:1-4, NLT)

SECOND – Paul calls us to submit to governmental authorities. Why are we called to do this? It is because they are God’s servants to punish those who do wrong and reward those who do good. God also calls us to pay our taxes and all government fees. Why? It is because God’s servants, the government officials, need to be paid. Our taxes are the source of support for the government that God has established.

“The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” (Romans 13:4-7)

Now, we could easily get derailed and say – “But our government is wicked!” “Surely God does not want me to support such a government!” Please remember that when Paul wrote this letter to Timothy the Roman government was in power. The Roman government was filled with immorality and corruption. If Christians were only to pray for and support the governments they like, Paul would not have written these instructions for the church under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

If faith calls me to pray for my government, pay my taxes to support my government, and obey its laws to cooperate with my government, then how is my faith complete if I do not vote?If I am to pray and support these officials, shouldn’t I also be involved in selecting them? They are God’s servants. He has established them to protect me! If I don’t vote as a Christian, if I don’t take my faith into the public square and allow Christ’s light to shine in our political system, then I am surrendering the entire system to the enemy and to those who reject God and His Word.

Just as my faith compels me to extend tangible care to someone in need, so my faith compels me to take tangible action in our elections by voting. To say – “I’ll just sit this one out and pray.”, is as bad, if not worse as one who says…

“Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”

What good does it do for our nation, the cause of the Kingdom of God, the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and the protection of the unborn and marginalized, if I pray but fail to vote? What good does it do if I say –

Everyone is the same!

Both parties are corrupt!

It doesn’t matter who you vote for!

It will make no difference if I vote anyway!

When I cast my vote, I am not voting for a pastor. I am not voting for a Christian leader. I am simply taking my Biblical values into the voting booth. I am voting for the candidate and the platform that most closely aligns with the truth of God’s Word. I am voting for the sanctity of human life. I am voting for the candidate and the party that will protect our citizens, and foster liberty and freedom in our communities, states, and nation.

If I don’t complete my faith with the act of voting – my faith is dead!My faith is incomplete. I am handing the government that God has given – over to the enemy. I am sowing to the wind and will reap the whirlwind. I am putting my trust in outward signs of piety and religion while neglecting mercy, truth, and justice.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8, NKJV)

This November, I will not put my faith in a politician or a political party. However, I will take my faith, my trust in Christ, and my obedience to His Word, and I will enter the voting booth as an Ambassador of Jesus Christ.

I will pray as I enter the voting booth.

I will represent Jesus as I put feet to my faith!

I will allow my faith to be completed as I cast my vote!

My prayer is that you will do the same!

In Jesus’ Name!