Big week coming up. Election day.
If you’ve been around ACC long enough, you know—we don’t do politics every Sunday. We preach Jesus. But sometimes the government steps into spiritual territory, and when that happens, we can’t just shrug. When God has already spoken, we need to open His Word and ask, “What does this mean for us?”
So let’s talk about it: how to punch your ballot… without punching your neighbor.
Why Your Vote Matters
Here’s something wild: the Barna Group says 32 million Christians won’t vote this cycle. Thirty-two million! The last election was decided by thousands, not millions. That means believers opting out can actually swing the direction of the nation.
And voting in America isn’t just a right—it’s a duty. Why? Because in a constitutional republic, “we the people” are the authority. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice. But when the wicked are in power, they groan.”
When we don’t show up, the wicked don’t stop leading—they just lead louder.
Ineligible Ballots (a.k.a. How Not to Vote)
Let’s clear up some bad ballots:
- Vote for vibes. Don’t just pick the candidate who makes you feel warm and fuzzy. Personality lasts four years, but policies last for generations.
- Vote for role model. Neither option is pastor-of-the-year. You’re voting for a president, not a pope.
- Vote for Jesus. Sorry—He’s not on the ballot. He’s already on the throne.
- Vote out of spite. “I hate that one, so I’ll vote the other.” That’s lazy thinking.
At the end of the day, we’re not electing a best friend. We’re choosing the best available path forward.
Josiahs, Ahabs, and Jehus
Scripture gives us three pictures of leaders:
- Josiah: righteous ruler who does good and celebrates good. (Dream candidate.)
- Ahab/Jezebel: ungodly rulers who celebrate wickedness—think lawlessness, persecution, the murder of innocents.
- Jehu: deeply flawed, but God still used him to accomplish good.
Here’s the reality: we rarely get Josiah on the ballot. Usually, it’s Jehu vs. Ahab. And if that’s the choice, you always pick Jehu. Flawed but usable is better than wicked and destructive.
The Bible as Your Voting Guide
The Bible doesn’t tell you how big the federal budget should be. But it does speak directly to core issues:
- Life: “God hates the hands that kill the innocent” (Prov. 6:17). Which candidate will protect the unborn?
- Religious liberty: “You have been called to live in freedom” (Gal. 5:13). Which one will protect your ability to live out your faith?
- Gender and family: “Male and female he created them” (Gen. 1:27). Who will guard parental rights and children’s bodies from radical ideology?
- Borders: “He determined their boundaries” (Acts 17:26). Who will protect national security with order and compassion?
- Israel: “I will bless those who bless you” (Gen. 12:3). Who stands with Israel?
No candidate is perfect. But policies matter. Appointments matter. Records matter. So let the Bible shape your ballot.
How to Not Punch Your Neighbor
Here’s the part we forget.
Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities, for all authority comes from God.” Translation: whoever wins Tuesday—God wasn’t surprised.
So three reminders:
- Your neighbor isn’t the enemy. Politics can divide, but our real enemy isn’t flesh and blood. (Eph. 6:12)
- You’re still called to love your neighbor. Yard sign or no yard sign.
- Jesus is still on the throne. Presidents come and go. Christ remains.
Frederick Douglass once said: “I will unite with anyone to do right, and with no one to do wrong.” That’s a solid election-week mindset.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to be excited about your options. Most of us aren’t. But you do have a responsibility: vote for the best available path forward, guided by God’s Word.
And when you leave the booth, remember—our hope isn’t in who sits in the Oval Office, but in who sits on the throne of heaven.
Last modified: October 24, 2025
