One week from today America will have chosen a new president. Many have posted of the horrors of both a Clinton or Trump presidency. I understand. Many of my pastoral friends have suggested they understood the dangers of a Clinton presidency but would not vote for Trump either, because voting for the “lesser of two evils is still voting for evil.” That is true, and I agree. However, a popular vote has been cast for a perfect man only once, and in unison they cried out “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” The only vote cast for a perfect man was not to elect Him leader, but to get rid of Him. Prior to that vote and every vote since, we have chosen between the lesser of two evils. Never has there been a perfect candidate, and we should remember, never has there been a perfect voter. We vote for the lesser of two evils because we are a fallen people in a fallen world.
So, I will be voting in this year’s election. I will be voting in light of 1 Timothy 2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” I have heard people make the argument that voting in light of the Supreme Court appointments or to lessen persecution of the church is for weak Christians. Some have suggested we want the government to make things easy for us. In light of 1 Timothy, I would suggest that is what we should be pursuing. We are to pray for and seek “peaceful and quiet lives” in our communities. In this country we have the privilege of choosing those in authority, not just praying for them. We should choose those who will make our lives most peaceful and quiet.
I will vote in light of Mark 12:17 “And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.” Though I am a citizen of the Kingdom of God and all things are His, some things also belong to our life as citizens of a country. Those who “will not vote for the lesser of two evils” because they are citizens of His Kingdom still pay taxes to those committing that evil, those by their own standards are active participants in the evil. I am a citizen here as well as in His Kingdom. I have an obligation to prefer the better each time, in the hopes of preventing greater evil being done with money I provide (through taxes). It is not enough for me to withdraw from the process of choosing those in authority if I am going to turn around and support them financially in whatever evil they do. If withdrawing from the process is the answer for you, stop paying taxes. Obviously, none of us are going to do that, so, we should choose who is spending that money that we are going to send to those in authority.
So, I am voting. I am voting for Donald Trump, not because I believe that he is the answer to all of our problems, not because I support or endorse everything he says or does, not because I believe that he would be great for America or even good for America. I am voting for Donald Trump because he is the lesser of two evils, because his America will allow a more “peaceful and quiet” life for me in my Christian walk. I am voting for him because his Supreme Court appointments will mean a more “peaceful and quiet” Christian life for me than Hillary’s. I voting for him because in this nation I have the privilege of voting, of attempting to influence the direction of our nation, so I will not stand by and let it take a direction that is more dangerous. I once ran my Mustang off the road. It was going to be a wreck, there was no way to avoid it. I didn’t take my hands off the wheel and say, “Oh well, Lord, it is all up to you.” He gave me eyes to see and hands to steer, so I steered into the ditch rather than the woods. Yes, it damaged my car and required a tow, but it didn’t destroy the car. I chose a direction and accepted that it wasn’t the best option, but it was much better than the only other option at the time.
Christian, I encourage you to vote.
robbielgibson 