Your Vote Matters To God and To Man
As we approach election day for the President of the United States, it’s appropriate to point out wisdom from the Bible regarding our responsibilities as Christians and citizens. This post will not be an airing of my opinion, because I believe that the Bible provides clarity on Christians’ responsibilities to both God and man. Whether you vote for Mitt Romney or for Barack Obama, it is your choice – a very important choice as we consider the days we are living in.
I love to read stories of the political leaders who were instrumental in forming the United States of America. The Founding Fathers understood that people who knew the Word of God, had the potential to be devout patriots who would take pride in their civic responsibilities. It was and is the Word of God that built America and made it a blessed nation! Yes. It is God’s blessing that has made America a land of freedom and opportunity.
The Land of Freedom and Opportunity
As many of you know, I was born in The Netherlands where there were two distinct camps with regard to America: many hated America or at least strongly disapproved of it. And then there were others who loved America – especially for what it symbolizes: freedom and opportunity to make choices, worship God, speak one’s mind, and succeed at whatever one chooses (which is known as the American dream).
My father had a strong affection for America. He always called America a land of opportunity, and rightly so. He imported an American car (which was a big thing to do in the sixties) and drove that car with great pride through our small town in The Netherlands. I have that same love of America for my father’s same reasons.
So, although I now live in Canada, I feel a responsibility to speak out and encourage my readers in the United States to be responsible for their vote in a few days.
Responsibility
As Christians, what is our responsibility to God and man as we approach the elections? The answer is simple, as it should be. Our responsibility is what God says it is. But unfortunately many people don’t know or even understand what God says, so they also don’t realize the responsibility He has given them.
Proverbs 14:34 (AMP) says clearly that “Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
In addition to the power and authority that are invested in the President of the United States, that office is also accountable to God for elevating the nation’s citizens. It is a citizen’s solemn and serious duty to choose qualified leaders by participating in the election process and to elect men and women of integrity, wisdom, who have faith in God.
How do we make such weighty choices? Television and social media inform us of popular opinion. They bombard us with sometimes, non-factual reports of the candidates’ positions. I am not suggesting that we ignore the news or the debates. But they are not the source on which we base our vote. By prayerfully examining the candidates, the issues and seeking God for wisdom and perception we can be assured that our vote honors God, regardless of the election’s outcome.
This is not the time to draw back. This is the time to rise up and take on our responsibilities to change the image of America to conform to the Word of God, which is the wisdom of God. Through God, we have a part to play in influencing our nations.
Influence
The core of all wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). John Adams gave us some sound advice, he said: “The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.”
As God’s representatives in the world, Christians are to be light bearers, influencing the world around them. Through Christ we impart the values of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity.
Today is the day. NOW is the time to be strong and mighty in the earth by standing up and taking our responsibility to go and exercise the God-given privilege of voting. If we as Believers are not willing to exercise our influence by voting, the doors are opened to the one who opposes wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity – the enemy. And with long-lasting consequences. An election may take place on a single day. But God looks at our attitudes every day.
Attitude
Some people (including Believers!) have wrong attitudes for those in any kind of authority over them. Their emotions are particularly stirred when it comes to governmental officials. Let’s be clear here: God establishes rulers and kings…and presidents!
When we are cynical, mocking or indifferent to what God has established, we dishonor Him. Believers are instructed to pray for the offices of those in authority, so that God can deal with the hearts of leaders. Failure to pray is coldness. Failure to vote is a coldness or indifference and indifference is a lack of caring. God calls this being lukewarm–neither hot or cold (Revelation 3:15,16). God does not want any of us to be indifferent or lukewarm about the election process!
Nor are we to be careless. It is equally wrong to cast our votes without educating ourselves on the issues and seeking Godly wisdom. Cast your vote with an attitude that you have educated yourself and you are acting in obedience to God’s leading. Trust God and know that His purposes will prevail.
Three Essential Considerations
Here are what I believe to be three essential considerations in voting for an elected official:
• A person who fears the Lord
• A strong Christian; a person who demonstrates wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity
• A person who respects and upholds the Constitution
I also believe candidates should stand for Israel, be pro-life and pro-marriage between a man and a woman
It is the duty of Christians to vote and to make the right choice to vote for the person who, as much as possible, lines up with the values and principles according to God’s Word.
Conclusion
I encourage my friends in the United States to preserve their heritage of freedom and opportunity by exercising their responsibility to vote in the upcoming Presidential election. And, of course, to pray for the election process and those currently in authority over you.
If you need more information, here is a link to a Voting Resources page on the WallBuilders site. WallBuilders is an organization dedicated to presenting America’s forgotten history and heroes, with an emphasis on the moral, religious, and constitutional foundation on which America was built.
