Did Jesus Say Anything About Voting?

By Billy Graham|Christian Post Guest Columnist

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Q: People keep urging me to vote but I think it's just a waste of time. I care what happens to our country and all that, but I don't think one vote makes any difference. And anyway, Jesus never said anything about voting, did He? - S.F.

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A: Jesus didn't live in a democracy; the people of His day couldn't vote and they had no choice about who would rule them. Decades before Jesus' birth, the Romans had invaded that part of the world and they maintained their power by brute force.

But Jesus did teach us to be good citizens, and to work for a better world. The people of His day couldn't do much to change their world, but He said they should do whatever they could - and so should we. "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's," Jesus told His listeners when they asked Him if they should pay their taxes (Mark 12:17). The Bible also tells us to pray for those who are involved in government, "that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:2).

Let me ask you the same question I've asked others who say they aren't going to the polls because their vote won't matter: What would happen if everyone felt the way you do? You know the answer: In time, our democracy would come to an end. Don't take our freedoms for granted, and don't take our system of government lightly.

Ask God to guide you as you vote - and then make the effort to get to the polls during this election. And once the election is over, pray for those who have been elected, that they may seek God's will for our nation - and do it.

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Affectionately known as the “World’s Preacher” for more than 60 years, the Rev. Billy Graham is one of the most influential and respected spiritual leaders of the 20th century. He has been a friend and spiritual advisor to ten American presidents and has preached the Gospel to more people in live audiences than anyone else in history — nearly 215 million people in more than 185 countries and territories — through various meetings. Hundreds of millions more have been reached through television, video, film, and webcasts. Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.

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wbmoore »

Wed Nov 05, 2008 10:41 pm Agree: 0 Disagree: 0

God establishes nations so people might seek Him.

Acts 17:26-27
26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

But when people ask for something, sometimes they get it, even if they are rejecting God in the process.
1 Samuel 8:6-9
6 But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. 7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 8 As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. 9 Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do."
Blacksho89 »

Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:00 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 0

Romans 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.

The authorities that exist HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY GOD!
Satan WANTS believers to think he is in charge of the government, to discourage us. Pray for our leaders, that they may be men of God and do His will.
believer »

Tue Nov 04, 2008 8:56 am Agree: 4 Disagree: 0

pvl, granted each Christian needs to do their part in the election process both with prayer and action, but we cannot ignore the inluence Satan can have in the activities of mankind either. So we can neither afford to use him as a scapegoat or totally ignore his influence either. I personally believe that the best wisdom any of us can follow is to remember what the Scriptures say, God honors the nation whose leaders honor Him.
pvlman »

Tue Nov 04, 2008 4:27 am Agree: 0 Disagree: 5

Satan is a pretty handy scapegoat isn't he? Reread the What Graham said. I see nothing about what Satan is doing. More about what we do, because that's the only thing we can control. Alas too many American Christians, look for a scapegoat to blame, along with exerting control over others.
Tribwarrior »

Mon Nov 03, 2008 10:04 pm Agree: 7 Disagree: 0

I was just wondering, Idywind; why would you decide not to exercise your right to vote because one time it didn't work out the way you had hoped, why is President Bush to blame, he cut taxes. as you say the one to blame for these hard times is satan. No president has all power, thus the reason for our type of Government. The one and only answer for our countries problems is the Almighty god and can be remedied by 2nd Chronicles 7:14; "If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and heal their land. Yes and as you say I beleive we are at the very doors of the Tribulation, but as the nickname idicates we aren't to just give up, but to look to the Almighty for more strenght than we ever thought possible, to stand against the onslaught of the enemy. Greater is he that is within me than he that is in the Whitehouse."
Nerohdam »

Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:34 pm Agree: 3 Disagree: 0

As the article stated though we are still to be good citizens. Do not take the blessing of voting for granted as many countries do not have this luxury. While many may feel their vote will not count, this is but another lie of the evil one. Even 1 vote for good makes a big difference in the unseen world.
ldywind »

Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:11 pm Agree: 2 Disagree: 10

This is one ex-voter who voted for Bush the first time! How stupid could I have been? The polling place will never see my face again. It isn't that I think it doesn't matter....I want to think that it does, but reality for me is that it's ab out the weathy, the elite, the corporation, and big money. I do not trust my government anymore or anyone in it. I grew up in the 50s and 60s when it really did matter, and folks cared about one another. Now we live in a completely different world. Satan has come down to us, because he knows his time is short. He hasn't much more time, and I look for it to get worse and not better from where I'm standing.

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