"And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed." — Luke 23:23 (KJV)

Few sentences in Scripture are more haunting than the final words of Luke 23:23: "And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed."

Think about that. The innocent Son of God stood before Pontius Pilate. The Roman governor knew that Jesus had committed no crime deserving death. He repeatedly sought to release Him. Yet the religious leaders and the crowd demanded His crucifixion.

They would not be quiet. They would not relent. Their voices grew louder and more insistent until Pilate finally gave in.

And their voices prevailed.

Truth did not prevail in Pilate's judgment hall. Neither did justice. Neither did innocence. The loudest and most determined voices carried the day.

Of course, Christ's crucifixion was no accident. It was part of God's sovereign plan of redemption, and Jesus willingly gave His life’s blood as an atonement for our sins. Although He was innocent, He endured on the Cross the punishment we deserve for our rebellion against God’s sovereignty. Nevertheless, those who condemned Him remained morally responsible for their actions. God's purposes did not excuse their injustice.

There is a solemn lesson here for each generation.

Being loud does not make someone right. Being persistent does not make a cause righteous. And having the greatest number of voices does not guarantee that truth will prevail.

Throughout history, people have passionately advocated ideas and policies contrary to God's revealed will. They have organized, mobilized, persuaded, and pressured those in authority. Sometimes their causes prevail not because they are right, but because their voices are more persistent, their opposition less determined, or those in authority lack the courage to stand for what is just.

This is particularly relevant as America approaches the midterm elections. In North Carolina, early voting runs from October 15 – October 31. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd.

Christians often express frustration with the direction of our state and nation. We lament the erosion of moral standards, the disregard for the sanctity of human life, threats to religious liberty, the weakening of marriage and family, and several other issues.

Yet lamenting what is wrong is not the same as doing what is right.

We live in a constitutional republic where citizens have the extraordinary privilege of choosing who will govern them. Through the ballot box, we can peacefully influence public policy and the direction of our communities, states, and nation.

That privilege is a serious stewardship.

The prophet Jeremiah instructed God's people to seek the city's welfare where they lived (Jeremiah 29:7). Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–16). Neither passage suggests that elections can solve humanity's deepest problems.

Only Jesus Christ can save a soul, transform a heart, or redeem people from sin.

Nevertheless, our spiritual calling does not exempt us from civic duties.

A Christian's vote should never be swayed by party loyalty, personality, popularity, or personal advantage alone. It should be informed by facts, guided by Scripture and the Spirit, and exercised with prayerful care.

What do candidates believe about the pressing social issues of our day – the sanctity of human life? Religious liberty? Marriage and the family? Parental rights? Justice? The protection of children? The proper limits of government?

No candidate or political party is perfect, and none has a monopoly on righteousness. Yet differences in candidates' convictions and policies can profoundly affect our churches, families, communities, and future generations.

Christians should therefore be informed, discerning, and willing to act on their convictions. They must also speak truthfully, respectfully, and without hatred toward those with whom they disagree.

Christians need to remember that their responsibilities to God extend into every part of life, including engagement in the public square. At the least, that would include voting!

With the approaching election in mind, Return America has prepared a special church bulletin insert based on the message, "And Their Voices Prevailed."

The insert encourages Christians to approach Election Day with biblical conviction, prayerful consideration, and responsibility before God.

Pastors and churches are welcome to download, print, and distribute the insert in their Sunday bulletins or make it available to their congregations.

Download the PDF and print the first page on standard 8½ × 11-inch paper. Turn the printed sheets over, return them to the printer, and print the second page on the blank side. Be sure both sides are printed in the same orientation. Then cut each sheet in half at the 5½-inch mark to create two double-sided bulletin inserts, ready for distribution.

No color printer? No problem! The inserts can also be printed in black and white.

Tip: Print one test sheet first to make sure both sides line up correctly before making multiple copies.

Return America's purpose is to encourage citizen Christians to exercise their civic responsibilities according to biblical principles and vote. More specifically, they are encouraged to vote during the Mid-term election either by voting early or on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd.

Luke tells us that the voices demanding Christ's crucifixion prevailed. It is a sobering reminder that the loudest voices are not necessarily the voices of truth, and that those entrusted with authority must have the courage to do what is right.

We cannot guarantee an election's outcome or determine our nation's future. But we can refuse indifference. We can become informed, pray earnestly, think biblically, and faithfully exercise the responsibilities God has entrusted to us.

When Election Day comes, voices will prevail. The question is whether Christians will have faithfully raised their voices.

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Speaking Engagements

Churches, ministries, and civic organizations are invited to prayerfully consider Dr. Mark Creech as a speaker for worship services, revival meetings, conferences, and special events. Dr. Creech speaks on biblical faith, cultural engagement, public policy, and the Christian worldview, delivering messages that are faithful to Scripture and deeply relevant to the challenges of our time.

For scheduling inquiries:

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