Today we vote.

In our country, as in many others, people are divided into political parties based upon their opinions, beliefs, desires, wants, and a whole host of other reasons and motives. Some rally around a cause and pick their candidates based on whether or not they support their passion. Many vote based on hearsay and media talking-heads. Some just vote along political party lines. A number of voters even take the time to study up on the candidates. No, seriously. You can actually do that on your own with just a little effort thanks to the wonders of modern technology.

How you pick which candidate gets your check mark is up to you.

So consider for a moment the ramifications of living a life according to God’s Word and the candidates that you pick. God’s Word says, “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” (‭Titus‬ ‭3‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

Maybe instead of picking candidates based on the hearsay, we should consider which candidates we want to be submissive to. In reality, there may not be many candidates that are ideal, but God gives us the responsibility of submitting to their authority. As much as we may wish it did, His Word doesn’t give an exclusion clause. It doesn’t say to, “Remind the people to be submissive to rulers and authorities… oh, unless they disagree with them.”

It’s not just about taxes, politics, and special interests. It’s not about red states or blue states, donkeys, elephants, or tea cups. It’s about choosing the candidate that will rule over the land and us, the citizens. As a Christian, I want to choose the candidate that follows Christ. I may agree or disagree with their choices, but it’s far more important that I choose the one that I can agree with on who they follow–God or the popular opinions of man.

So how do we choose those candidates? Only God knows the hearts of men and women. Place your political views aside, and just as we are supposed to do in every area of life, follow the Spirit of God. Don’t ask God to wait in the car while you go into the voting booth. Follow Him into the booth, and mark the boxes that He leads you to.

Choose wisely, for the person you vote for today may be the ruler you live under tomorrow.