The Christian duty to vote: 32 million churchgoers were projected to abstain

By Colleen Enos | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Pregnant with my first child, I was staring at the television as stations broadcast live footage from Tiananmen Square. Students protesting for individual rights and freedom had gathered for weeks. Then the Chinese government sent in tanks and armed troops to open fire. Most demonstrators fled the area except one man, whom we called “Tank Man.” He stood in front of the line of tanks in the square, alone, and did not move as the tanks advanced. They stopped. Eventually, two men dragged him away. Later, it was reported that he was likely executed as an enemy of the state.

I am proud to live in a country where my individual rights are respected because America recognizes that they come from God, not government. As a Christian, I am thankful that in every election, I have the duty and privilege to make my voice heard through voting, influencing our state and nation’s leadership for good. Yet not every Christian votes. Ahead of the 2024 election, researcher George Barna projected that millions of people of faith — around 32 million regular Christian churchgoers — would abstain! The Lord has called us to do better. The duty to vote is not merely an American idea; it is God’s idea. Here are five biblical reasons why.

First, God ordained governing authorities. Government is God’s idea. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1 NKJV). He calls us to submit for the Lord’s sake (1 Peter 2:13-14 NKJV), and doing so honors Him (Romans 13:5 NKJV). Voting is one way we engage responsibly with the authorities He has established.

Second, we have a moral obligation to influence our culture for good. Jesus declares, “You are the light of the world … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV). This privilege was purchased with the blood of our ancestors (John 15:13). Now we can live in freedom and fulfill the second great commandment: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39 NKJV). Voting allows us to reflect Christ’s care for others.

Third, individual rights matter because they are given by God. We are made in the imago Dei — the image of God (Genesis 1:27). These unalienable rights predate the government and must be guarded. Life must be protected from the womb (Psalm 139:13). Religious liberty enables us to worship without persecution, which is why Daniel kept praying (Daniel 6). Educational freedom lets us train up our children “in the way [they] should go,” and it is founded upon parental rights (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV; Ephesians 6:1-3). Parental rights honor the family as the first God-ordained institution.

Fourth, the Lord calls us to establish justice. We are to hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate (Amos 5:15 NKJV). As Jesus’ hands and feet, we can strengthen the weak, be strong, and not fear (Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV). We do not run from the battle; instead, we recognize that the battle is the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47). Christians must actively counter evil influences rather than withdraw.

Fifth, God calls us to speak truth with courage to Colorado and the United States. “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid … for the Lord your God is with you” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV). We must be doers of the Word, not hearers only, speaking the truth in love (James 1:22; Ephesians 4:15). Not voting is still a choice — one that can allow evil to triumph because good men are doing nothing. Even though all have sinned, grace still empowers us to act (Romans 3:23).

We all need to be informed about the issues facing Colorado and our nation. Decide today to exercise your God-given duty to vote in the upcoming election. Become a voting-information resource in your church. We will not face tanks in our streets if we let the light of Jesus shine through us into Colorado and beyond.

Voter resources

iVoterGuide.com
TransformColorado.org
Christian Voter Guide

Colleen Enos is a homeschooling mom of eight who began her homeschool journey in 1994 and graduated her last two children in 2024. She has coached speech and debate for 17 years. She and her husband have been married 39 years and have five grandchildren. Colleen serves homeschool families as the CHEC Director of Government Relations, advocating for homeschool freedom at the state legislature.

Reprinted from Christian Home Educators of Colorado’s Homeschool Update, Volume 3, Issue 126, 2026, 720-842-4852, CHEC.org.

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.