If you are just tuning into these posts, I would highly recommend you start with the INTRODUCTION and catch up as I am trying to lay a foundation for how a Christian should vote. To review some important concepts in bullet points I would simply say:
* Christians are to honor God with their vote and realize that whatever they do they do for the glory of God. (I Corinthians 10:31)
* The Church (or a Pastor) is not responsible for TELLING you who to vote for. They are, however, responsible in TRAINING you to vote in a way that follows God’s precepts and principles.
* Rulers (Government office holders) are considered by God to be “ministers” who have expectations, responsibilities, and standards placed upon their life in order that those they lead made have confidence. (Romans 13:4,6)
So voting cannot be compartmentalized away from God, the Bible, or spiritual concerns. Every candidate has a philosophy of governing and a worldview from which they interpret the world and its happenings. Some ideology always prevails in every civilization. There is no such thing as neutral. So it becomes of incredible importance that our rulers have a Biblical/Christian Worldview as they bring leadership to the nation. If God judges nations (and He does), then a part of the remedy for a nation under judgment is to be sure it’s leaders recognize and honor the Lord. Which leads us to the next vetting question…
5. Does the Candidate have a record of governing in civil affairs?
That may seem like an odd question especially in a time period when the electorate (including me) is aggravated at the career politician and the political establishment. This election cycle motto is basically, “Throw the bums out”. I get it and I feel it. I too am exceedingly upset at what the politicians have done to our nation and what they have left for my children and grandchildren. But here’s the deal…
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
James 1:19-20 NKJV
If the Christians who are currently voting are doing so because they are “angry”, then God is not in it. Especially if they are voting for candidates that are channeling or manipulating their anger for their own purposes. I know of no way to be clearer than to simply say it that way. If your vote is born out of anger towards the political class, then you need to step back and make sure you haven’t left God out of the equation. Anger produces knee-jerk responses and unfortunately we may be seeing exactly that in the Christian electorate. A significant percentage of Christian people are casting votes for people who make promises, even vague promises, but have no record. They are vague enough to allow us to project our desires upon them but in truth there is no substance for which we can be sure.
I have my issues with the political class. I understand many cannot be trusted. I also understand that dynamic exists because the Church has allowed it to exist because of our disconnection of godly precepts in this area. The answer is not to continue to disconnect from precept, but immediately and methodically begin to implement the change in leadership. A Biblical template would include:
1. Experience in governmental leadership at some level. (I Timothy 3:6, Luke 16:10)
2. Faithfulness in honoring God at a lesser level or small beginning. (Zech. 4:10)
3. A record of success and failure. (Matthew 7:16)
4. A clear record of keeping their word. (James 5:12)
5. Standing up in the arena for their faith. (Daniel 3:8-18/6:10-17)
This list is not exhaustive but it illustrates the point that a novice has no business in the leadership of a nation.
NEXT: Part 6, Personnel is Policy
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