John Frame on Christians and Political Choices

Hey Josh,

Another interesting post. Just a couple months ago I was struggling over whether to vote or not because of the whole issue about choosing the lesser of two evils -- I didn't want to vote for any evil! I was pretty torn about it. But then God showed me that obeying His Commands shouldn't be seen as a list of things we cannot do, they should be a guide to actually doing something incredible. Here I was thinking about all I could not do and missing the so much more I could do. He showed me that although I may not agree with any of the candidates on everything, and sometimes I may not even feel like I could fully back any of them, I can always back life. Through the way I live and the conversations I have with people I can live for life -- which is even harder than voting for life. I am glad that I struggled over it because if I had felt okay about just voting for a pro-life candidate then I might have settled with feeling like I was doing something instead of really seeking God and getting creative about all that I could do (which I was forced to do because without voting I so felt the need to do something yet felt conviction against the only easy option I saw for making a difference in the election). In your comment on the last blog entry I noticed that you talked about the fact that people's hearts really need to change. I wholeheartedly agree -- too often we blame republican pro-life politicians for not changing everything they could have these last 8 years at their level when, really, how many of us have done all that we could do where God has placed us? How many of us have saved even one life while we expect them to save thousands? I have great conviction that God has called each and every one of us to save lives -- so we are fully able by His grace. So, I'd like to humbly ask you: What would you suggest we can do to change people's hearts and to save lives? I'm making a list that I'd like to be able to share with others with pro-life convictions who want to do something but don't yet know exactly what -- I think that's a big problem in our struggle to win: That we fail to do all that we could because we fail to see all the opportunities God has given us. Prayer is at the top of the list, of course. And I have several practical ideas. But I'm so new to this fight that I'd appreciate and welcome any ideas you or others might have. I want every good idea on my list so I'm asking around instead of just confining it to my own ideas -- I want it to be complete. =)

In Christ,

Nicole

Shea,
While I empathize with those who feel convictions against voting, I do feel strong convictions to do as much as possible for the well-being of our country and its people. I, personally, think that each one of us has quite a bit of responsibility on our shoulders -- even with elections. I'm not going to encourage you to vote for a candidate. But I do want to encourage you to do what you can to "vote" for what God wants for this country with the way your live your life and also the words you speak and write. I do agree with you that God's Will will ultimately be done in this election -- but I am also reminded of the cities and kingdoms spoken of in the Bible, such as Ninevah, who were doomed to destruction yet who repented so God spared them; and also the peoples who were destroyed in the flood because their hearts were wicked. I don't think that we have to vote a certain way to say to the world that we have good hearts, but I do think that how we vote will prove our hearts before God. And I think that the content of our hearts will literally determine the next leader we have and the next laws that are made (or overturned) and the next events that take place. I don't think that God will be shocked or feel that He is out of control or be nervous to see if we decide one way or the other, vote or don't vote, but I do believe that He will be deeply grieved if we vote for a candidate who would bring forth (more) evil upon innocent victims or if we relinquish our responsibility in this matter to those of the world. May I encourage you to take up the "weapons" He has given you (i.e. convictions, words, opportunities, ability to save lives, personal freedom and influence), summon the will to fight, and join us in this battle for good? I do believe that what we do or don't do will determine what "needs" to be done.

Shea,

There's a quote I like that says, "The one condition necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Basically, what I was trying to say was that, I believe that it is time to act, to get involved in this election (even if you don't support a candidate, to do what you can to change people's hearts so that they will not support a candidate that would cost innocent lives -- to yourself support life and morality and the values of the Constitution) because if we don't, then I believe that what is needed will be God's punishment, not just against the wicked ones, but against the righteous ones' apathy.