The Biblical Christian and the Coming Vote

The most important election of our lifetime is about 70 days from now. Many, due to mail-in ballots, will be voting much sooner than that.

With the very essence of what America is about hanging in the balance, just last month 46% of Americans told Rasmussen that they will be "voting for the lessor of two evils" in the presidential election.

The decisions we make in a few weeks will impact out country, our state, our communities and our families for decades to come.

Many are expressing concern and conflict to me through personal email and conversation.

Here are 5 things I believe every biblical Christian must consider.



1. We live in a republic---a form of representative democracy where votes count and the rule of law prevails and is respected. Where freedom is believed to be given by God, not government. Government is to play a role in protecting those God-given freedoms, not in bestowing them.

To whom much is given, much is required. We are called to vigilance.

The founding principles and beliefs that birthed America were based in Christian ideals and biblical truth. These gave birth to the most prosperous, free nation in the history of the world.

Policy followed these principles.

These values have guided America to properly address slavery, woman's suffrage, civil rights for African Americans and other important moral issues.

Freedom is and always has been, under assault---from within and without. Perhaps never more than today.

Religious liberty or freedom and political responsibility are inseparable in our form of government.

If we default on our political responsibility we will forfeit our freedoms.

A biblical Christian cannot in good conscience sit out this or any election.

You must vote.

2. In order to construct "a more perfect union," biblical Christians must be actively involved in the issues of our culture.

If biblical Christians and biblical churches do not speak truth to the cultural issues of our day, who will?

While the IRS regulates churches from endorsing political candidates, a rule that must be reversed because it has nothing to do with Jefferson's separation letter to the Danbury Baptists and is rooted in LBJ's corrupt motives decades ago, churches can address the moral issues of our day from a biblical view, regardless of how politicized they may be.

Strongly encourage your pastor to speak to these issues. If he or she does so, actively support them among others in your church.

Do not be silent.

3. Be discerning as to which are the most critical moral issues of our time. Successful leaders have always done this. This will form the basis of how you vote.

Our economy is critical. Economically, our country is upside down---standing at the proverbial "eve of self destruction" if things do not change.

However discernment leads a biblical Christian to understand that the economy is a result of moral and ethical failure. The solution to our economic success is found in a moral, not merely a political solution.

So, is the "economy" the most important issue of our day or are the causes of our economic woes the most important?

William Wilberforce saw the abolition of slave trade the most important in his time.

Abraham Lincoln saw the emancipation of slaves in his time.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer saw Hitler's persecution of the Jews as most critical in his time.

Martin Luther King Jr. saw civil rights for African Americans as the most critical for his time.

All moral issues.

What moral issues are most critical and potentially most destructive in our day?

Most biblical Christians would agree they are : A. Life. B. Marriage. C. Erosion of Freedom.

These are the moral issues most under assault in today's culture. These issues must provide the basis of the biblical Christian's vote.

Be Discerning.

4. Biblical Christians must discern the difference between moral issues and partisan politics. Most politicians will play to their audience, or at least how they perceive their audience. A very few do not.

Unfortunately, some pastors and Christian leaders, operating under the "lessor of two evils" principle, will endorse people who do not support the most important values of "Life," "Marriage" and" Freedom."

Often personal ambitions and wrong motives drive these endorsements.

If a candidate supports abortion, how can a biblical Christian, in good conscience, vote for that person?

If a candidate stands against marriage as between one man and one woman, a model established by God at Creation and honored by every successful civilization in history, how can a biblical Christian vote for that candidate?

If a candidate advocates socialistic forms of government, suggesting that "Government" rather than God bestows "Freedom," who in their right mind could vote for them?

Exercise a biblical worldview.

5. Voting is an act of responsibility and stewardship.

We must have an informed mind---be aware of the issues of our times and how they impact the culture from a biblical worldview.

We must also have an informed conscience. We must listen to God's voice in Scripture. This will inform our conscience as to what is important to God.

Be prayerful.

Pray according to Chronicles 7:14. Then...

Be Active.