Written by: Dr Peter Hammond
Article source: savotersguide.org.za

This year, South Africans who have registered to vote will have the responsibility of electing a party to represent their interests. How you exercise this right, and responsibility of voting will have far-reaching consequences for every area of your life.

 “But select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials…” – Exodus 18:21

* Ref = Referendum, referring to a public vote

As responsible citizens, Christians must strive to honour God in all areas of life. We are to oppose evil and work for righteousness. Christians therefore have a Biblical duty to vote.

Amidst all the electioneering, unrealistic promises, media performances, slogan shouting, and empty rhetoric, it is very difficult to maintain an objective perspective on reality. Many even find it difficult to discern between what is right and what is wrong during election campaigns.

Be careful to not merely listen to what is said, but to observe what is done. Cut through the vast volume of verbiage and evaluate each party and candidate in your area on the crucial Biblical issues.

Concerning the role of Christians in social and political matters, the Bible instructs us to:

Pray:
“I urge, then, first of all that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all Godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

Repent:
“If My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” 2 Chronicles 7:14

Expose Evil:
“Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11

Improve the Community:
“See the trouble we are in: Jerusalem is in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the walls of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace.” Nehemiah 2:17

Seek Justice:
“Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice.” Isaiah 1:16-17

Oppose Ungodly Rulers:
“You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting…” Daniel 5:27

Uphold Christian Standards:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13

Disciple the Nations:
“Make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded…” Matthew 28:19-20

Other political parties will also be on the ballot, contact them for their stand on these and other Biblical Issues.

For further information obtain Biblical Principles for Africa (also available in Afrikaans) from the Christian Action Network: 021 689 4481, info@christianaction.org.zachristianaction.org.za

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Date published: 29/02/2024
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only. Artwork adapted from www.freepik.com

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9 COMMENTS

  1. Great article. Just a pity that Action SA’s info is not included in the comparison provided.

    • Thank you for your comment Bernadette.
      We are working on an updated voter’s guide to include ActionSA as well as other patry’s information in the next issue of JOY! Magazine. Be sure to pick up your copy 🙂
      God bless!

  2. Please could we have an updated one of these to include all new parties such as BOSA, Rise Mzanzi etc. It is such a helpful chart!!!
    Thank you!

    • Dear Liesl,

      Thank you so much for your comment! We have reached out to a number of parties in SA to include their policies, and will update the chart as we receive any information. Please also keep an eye out for the May issue of JOY! Magazine (on sale 5th April nationwide), as we will share an in-depth Biblical Voters’ Guide to help our readers.

      God bless!

  3. Thank-you for this tool. It is very handy in getting the average citizen to see what each party’s policies accommodate. I stand to be corrected, but as I understand it, the FF+ doesn’t oppose LGBTQIA+ and Civil unions any longer. This used to be their stand point but subsequent to the NG Kerk’s accommodation of such, I understand they too have changed their stance. I may be wrong and would be delighted if this was not the case.

  4. responsibility of electing a party to represent their interests in the municipality – this is misleading as the municipal electionc ase only going to be held next year – 2025.

  5. I agree – pity that Action SA is not included in the table above…
    Also, on another similar table, I saw that VF+ indeed are for LGBTQ+, in other words, supporting that evil agenda / death cult.

    Christian Action Network (Peter Hammond) and/or Joy! News, can you get clarity and / or correct the information?

    • Hi Gert, thank you for the message!

      In the last two months, we have reached out to ActionSA, as well as a few other parties, to get their answers on these topics (as we had many requests to include them). Unfortunately, many of these smaller parties did not want to be involved in this feature at this point.

      To verify the source for VF+’s stance, kindly contact Dr Hammond directly – info@christianaction.org.za

Comments are closed.