As the day of our election draws closer and closer, I am stunned by the number of Christians in the news forsaking our God. Forsaking God is not a good thing anytime, but now is the most dangerous time in the history of our nation, and in my lifetime.
Although many Christians are praying and interceding for our nation asking God to forgive our many national sins, and have mercy on us; others or either cursing the nation or ignoring the current state of affairs in the nation. Indeed some have even boldly voiced the decision to follow after other gods, while others have decided not to resist sin, not to resist evil; so they have said that they will not vote at all. The two reasons I have heard most often are that politics is to evil for them to participate, including those who have been taught that Christians should not vote. The other is that they do not like either candidate, and cannot vote for either candidate.
REASON #1 – POLITICS IS TOO EVIL FOR CHRISTIANS TO PARTICIPATE.
To the first reason, I ask where in the world is there no evil? Evil is everywhere and in every place, even in some churches. The internal conflicts in some churches over divisive issues is just as vicious at times as what is observed in nation wide politics. It is all about choosing leadership and choosing direction whether it is for the church or the nation. Good and evil are present in both arenas. Some try to follow the Bible while others do not know or care what is in the Bible, so they fight – ignorance and apathy against the truth and what is written. Although there is much evil in the world and in the nation and even in some churches, God still looks for those who’s whole hearts are for Him. You might, also, want to consider that some of the rewards for doing good were being made ruler over cities. Leaders are a part of life. Even when Judas did not work out the disciples had to choose another. They put their best choices before the Lord and asked Him which one. We still need to do that. Make our best effort to choose between the candidates, and ask God which one. GOD ALWAYS HAS A CHOICE.
Another aspect of the first reason is that many have been taught that Christians should not be involved in politics. The problem with this line of reasoning is that choosing leadership has always been a part of life in community with others. Our modern word vote is not in the Bible, but the word choose is there when there was a need to make a decision as to leadership and direction. Some leaders did evil in the sight of the Lord, while others did good in the sight of the Lord. Some leaders sinned while others caused the nation to sin before God. There was a time when the people set up leaders and God said in Hosea 8:4 (KJV) “They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off.” There was another time when a king”s son came to reign and after he told the people how he would reign over them, the people said no and all returned to their houses. 1 Kings 12 and 2 Chronicles 10 is an account of one of the times the people did not like how the leader said he would rule over them. Big conflict.
Another consideration is the individual’s accountability to God. This is not the first time God has had problems with shepherds and pastors not teaching the people knowledge and understanding or leading them astray. To follow blindly is not wise. Jesus even said to those who questioned Him that they should search the scriptures. It is written in Philippians 2:12 (KJV) “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Also, there is the need to know why you believe what you believe because the day of accountability will come, and blaming others will not be the right answer. Romans 14:12 (KJV) “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Adam already played the blame game and it did not work out well.
SIDE NOT FOR THOSE TROUBLED BY OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES:
- In the day that Jesus walked the earth what we now refer to as the New Testament had not been written. They referred often to the law and the prophets throughout the gospels and the books written by the apostles.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” The scriptures will correct wrong thinking and wrong doctrines, this is why renewing the mind is so important.
- Romans 15:4 (KJV) “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” There is nothing going on now with individuals, the family, the church, or the nation that has not happened before. In searching the scriptures, we can find out what God did before, and thereby, know what to do now.
REASON #2 – THEY DO NOT LIKE EITHER CANDIDATE AND CANNOT VOTE FOR EITHER ONE.
The problem here is that someone will be elected to lead the nation. Although neither candidate will ever be perfect, there will always be differences in how they relate to our God on the many different matters of the day and the future. Every decision made by those seeking positions in the government on all levels with influence and affect our daily lives for the good or for the bad. Life will be better or life will be worse. As for the Christian and the right to worship our God as we believe the Bible teaches is always on the table. You might ask why? Because there are those in this nation who hate us and our God.
Christians have the written word of God and the Living Word of God, and both give clear direction as to what please God and what does not please God, as well as, what to do and what not to do. When it comes to nations it is written Proverbs 14:34 (KJV) “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” This means that we are to choose leadership that will honor our God as much as possible knowing that God always has a choice. Some one will be chosen to lead the nation. The question is which of the candidates has demonstrated a desire to honor our God and recognize our Jesus. This election these thing are very clear. One goes to our God and the other goes away from our God. Personalities and political parties are not the defining attributes, their attitude about Christianity and our God is the main issue. Remember that God has only one side – His. Jesus said, Matthew 12:30 (KJV) “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Luke 11:23 (KJV) “He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”
Some one will be elected to lead the nation, and their leadership will be for or against our God. No voting is not an option. The tribes of Gad and Reubin found themselves in a bad place when it was time to go and take the land that God had promised. They were comfortable and did not want to get involved. The day came when the word of the Lord came to them saying, Numbers 32:23 (KJV) “But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” When it is time to resist evil, it is time to resist evil. Voting is our way of choosing leaders. Whenever we vote we are voting for something, and against something else. Moses asked the people in a time of strife and division “Who is on the Lord’s side? Elijah asked a people halt between two opinions to choose between the two. There was no second when Moses asked, and there was no third choice when Elijah asked. The plum line is the word of God. Where does each candidate stand in relationship to the word of God – for or against.
Ignorance, apathy, and self righteousness are not justifications for not choosing leadership that will be right for our nation so that we can live peaceable lives as it it written in 1 Timothy 2:1 (KJV) “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” 1 Timothy 2:2 (KJV) For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” Back to godliness or forward to more ungodliness are the choices. In voting you take a stand either for or against the things of God. There is no middle ground. Our nation will either go back to God or continue to forsake God. Christians have the deciding vote, if they will vote and vote wisely, because this nation came to be because of God”s answering the prayers of those who came before us. Don’t ever forget whey the 13 colonies came together as one – THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. IF CHRISTIANS WOULD AGREE ON THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE THAT WOULD GIVE OUR GOD A LOT TO WORK WITH – AGREEMENT INSTEAD OF CONSTANT DISAGREEMENT. But, that would require honor – honorable people who honor their word, others, and God. Remember that God honors those who honor Him.
We must not forsake Him or deny Him any longer. Our founders turned to Him for His help when they had problems with leadership. Can we do any thing less? No. Repent. Return to God with the whole heart, and see the Lord restore what has been loss and stolen by neglect and close the door to further destruction of our nation. Return to the God of our founders . He has not forsaken us, but many who say they are His have forsaken Him.
- Don’t be ignorant of God’s righteousness, and don’t establish your own righteousness. The Pharisees did this and Jesus corrected them. It is not wise to judge others by our standards. So often I see many visible and out spoken Christians straining at gnats and swallowing camels while confidently resting in their own self righteousness. Although all unrighteousness is sin, all sins do not carry the same penalties before God. Some sins bring damnation while others bring a curse upon a nation. As Jesus said to the Pharisees, Matthew 23:23 (KJV) “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Here is a link for further study of this verse so that the word justice can come to be part of the understanding.(https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Matthew%2023%3A23) Romans 10:3 (KJV)” For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.”
- James 4:7 (KJV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- WHAT GOD WILL YOU FOLLOW?