For the Love of God and Neighbor ... Vote!

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It seems like the worse things get in government and politics, the more Christians decide to absolve themselves of their civic duties. Take a look at these four Facebook posts:

· CBN New’s Post

· 30% of Christians are NOT registered to vote

· 40 million [Christians] do not vote

· Half of Christians won’t vote in the midterms!

I realize Facebook isn’t exactly a paragon of truth. However, it often reflects what people think and believe. Consequently, the figures those four posts tout may or may not be accurate, but the belief that Christians aren’t planning on voting on November 3 is indeed widespread.

To give those posts some measure of legitimacy is a Barna Election Study from 2024, which revealed that barely more than one half (51%) of Christians planned to vote in the 2024 presidential election. The 49% of non-voting self-identified people of faith who were not expected to cast a ballot “represents about 104 million eligible non-voters…” Maybe those Facebook posts aren’t too far-fetched after all.

Barna’s research cited “lack of interest,” “disliking all of the major candidates,” candidates not reflecting “their most important views,” their “one vote will not make a difference,” and that “the election has become too controversial for their liking.” And these are people of faith.

One wonders what these “people of faith” think about all the veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much from the Revolutionary War to the war with Iran so that we could continue to enjoy liberty and govern ourselves. Narcissism comes to mind.

The reality of Christians who choose not to vote is worse than apathy and narcissism. In recent weeks I’ve seen and heard a great many of these non-voting churchgoers congratulate themselves on sitting out the upcoming election. They say the president is vulgar and tawdry, and they aren’t going to vote to spite him (losing control of Congress would be seen as a sharp rebuke to him). But the president is not on the ballot, and everyone who is on the ballot is a sinner just like the rest of us.

I suppose I could bring up the good surgeon/bad bedside manner story. You know, if you are terribly sick and need surgery, would you choose the best surgeon in the world who has a horrible personality and bedside manner if he were your only choice, or would you just opt to not have the surgery? It seems to make a valid point, but that is not really where I come from. Because of my background and vocation, I would rather come from the biblical/theological viewpoint.

Two passages from the New Testament have a lot to offer those who are proud not to vote in the upcoming election (and neither comes from Romans 13).

First, there is James 2:14-17,

What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.

The point James is making goes far beyond needing clothing and food. He’s talking about turning your back on people in any kind of need. He could just as easily have said that if someone is immersed in a cult or false religion and you have the opportunity to share your Christian faith with them but choose not to because you don’t like disagreeing with others and just tell them how happy you are for them…your faith is dead.

The Apostle John says essentially the same thing in 1 John 3:17,

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?

There is no room in the kingdom of God for the kind of self-righteousness that sees others’ needs and not only chooses not to help but is self-congratulatory in doing nothing.

One side of the political spectrum in America supports abortion all the way up to birth. That same side is all-in on allowing immature children to decide to allow doctors to irrevocably mutilate their bodies so they will feel better about themselves (with or without their parents' permission). This side routinely supports criminals over victims, and many even want to do away with law enforcement altogether. They believe illegal immigrants have a right to free health care, jobs, and even free college.

What is the message non-voting churchgoers are sending in the election? To the unborn… “I hope you make it to birth, but I’m not going to vote, which means, in all likelihood, your chances of being born will be worse than they are now. Be warm and be filled with life.”

To the confused kid who doesn’t understand what is going on in culture regarding sexuality and gender (because he’s just a kid) and is under pressure from peers and even teachers to use pronouns that don’t match his gender and thinks he should start taking drugs that suppress his testosterone and is considering life-changing surgery… “Sorry you’re so confused and being pressured to make decisions that will affect you permanently in a horrible way, but since I don’t like the president and will not vote, making it easier for you to make those regrettable decisions, I just want you to know that God loves you and so do I.”

To the family members of those whose loved one will be raped or killed by a criminal illegal immigrant (since one political party has already made it known that they will open America’s borders again)… “My vote may have made your loss less likely, but I have standards to uphold. I’ll say a prayer for you.”

I’m reminded that at the end of the Sermon on the Mount Jesus prophesied that “many” religious people (those who call Him “Lord”) will be told to “depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness” (Matthew 7:21-23). Isn’t that exactly what a non-vote from a churchgoer in this election is likely to produce – lawlessness?

Founding Father Samuel Adams said something that bears on this subject/controversy:

“Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote … that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country.”

Be faithful and let the love of God abide in you on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Cast a vote because you love God and your neighbor.

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