On Tuesday November 8th, our nation will be voting for the next President of the United States. Each Christian will enter the voting booth alone to exercise their privilege and tonight we will examine how to be thankful and praise God in the process. Since it is so vital that a Christian never violate his or her conscience, we will develop a Biblical framework of principles to consider when voting.
Right now, in this very privileged nation we have concerns as believers. Some of them are:
We are concerned as followers of Jesus Christ. We want to be useful to the Master as we humble ourselves, tremble at His Word, and demonstrate Christ with our lives looking for His return (2 Timothy 2:21; Isaiah 66:2; Philippians 2:14-15).
Men are concerned as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, and leaders. We are striving to be a sanctifying influence (Ephesians 5:22). We know in the last days it will be difficult and we want those in our charge to know the Scripture (2 Timothy 3:1-15).
We are concerned as citizens of the United States. There is no guarantee of a peaceful existence for those living out the gospel. Peter in 1 Peter 5:10 says after suffering that the God of all grace will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us. As a citizen, we must remember it is Christ who does these things, not the culture or our nation’s leaders. A nation that thinks it can rely on itself must be humbled by God. As a concerned citizen, it is important to know what it means to be a good citizen and promote the common grace of God. Therefore, I must:
Know & uphold the laws of civil privilege.
Know & uphold the laws of civil rights.
Know & uphold the laws of civil responsibility.
We don’t want to be those who Jesus warns about when they hear of Kingdom of Jesus coming that go and sit on the roof tops to wait with no intention of being productive members of society.
Just like Adam, we cultivate the ground; we make a better culture and society as good stewards of the blessings God has given.
In the United States, we have a civic privilege of being productive members promoting good things and to help people flourish in the common grace of God. And with this privilege, we can vote for our leaders. Here are some principles to put into practice when choosing in these important matters:
Bow to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, especially in matters of conscience (Romans 13:3-4; Colossians 3:15-17).
Have a Biblically informed conscience (Psalm 119:97).
Strive to have a blameless conscience (1 Timothy 1:4).
Vote to uphold high moral ideals. We should expect that the candidate support the common graces of dignity, moral decency, and just treatment of all people.
Vote to uphold the preservation of the family as defined by God (Genesis 1 & 2).
Vote to uphold the sanctity of human life. Psalm 139 is clear that God ordains life and it starts at conception. Abortion is murder and we are a nation of murderers. And leaders of our land who hate God made these decisions. God is not going to sit idle when millions of babies are slaughtered every year.
Vote for candidates with character that fits a world leader. Some of those character qualities would include:
An exhibited record of self-sacrificing for the greater common good.
Constitutional integrity. Those who stand for the original charter of our nation and will uphold it, including religious liberty.
Has the dignity and sobriety necessary that fits the office held.
Representing the Constitution.
Representing our laws.
Representing our nation’s founding values.
Representing the power and influence we have.
Representing and directing military force where lives are at stake.
Demonstrable respect for all law-abiding cultures and nations. Those who are not prejudice against another’s ideology, ethnicity, and background if they don’t seek to curse and destroy.
Measured and wise in their response to conflict, especially related to those which have massive influence globally.
Proven restraint.
Moral restraint always.
But also, restraint when personally attacked. To be a leader one must be wise, compassionate at heart and have very thick skin.
In conclusion on Tuesday, be thankful for the privilege granted in God’s common grace which allows us the opportunity to vote. And come Wednesday, praise God for His will whatever the outcome is. Today, tomorrow, and always, please pray for our nation, its leaders, and for God’s ultimate glory.
