“The Christian Voters Guide”
Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Proverbs 6:23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
In just a week our country will be making the most serious decision that it has made in my lifetime when we make the choice about who will lead our nation for the next four years. Not only will we make a decision about who will be president but there are thousands of national, state and local elections that will impact our lives. I’ve had numerous individuals who have asked me personally about how we should decide to vote, and who we should vote for and what a Christian’s responsibility is in this case. Part of being a good Christian is being a good citizen and that means doing certain things set forth in Scripture.
First, we are told to submit to those in authority.
Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Second, we are told to pray for those in authority and we should, no matter their party affiliation.
1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
Finally, we are obligated to pay whatever taxes we owe.
Romans 13:6 For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom
tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Now whether we like it or not these are the only things found in Scripture that deal directly with our responsibilities as citizens. Now we may wish that the Bible was more specific but we need to remember one thing, our chief interest should be in the area of spiritual order not secular or social order. That is not to say that you should not exercise your right to vote, you should be registered to vote and then go to the polls and vote. While there are issues that the Bible does not speak about, there are things that we can apply Biblical principles to. We have an obligation to take a stand for morality and righteousness and in my mind that would include being informed about what candidates stand for and voting for those who support Biblical values and virtues.
First let’s consider the “light” that we have in the Word of God and what it provides.
I. The Revelation We Find
a. Like God’s Word, light gives us discernment
We know how to walk because of the light we receive. For instance, I have hunted for years and if you hunt you know that you have to get out early before daylight. Once when I was going turkey hunting in the Ozark hills I was headed to where I had roosted some turkeys the evening before and was using a small flashlight to find my way. While I was walking I caught a glimpse of something in the light. It was the open mouth of a snake that had struck at me. Needless to say I jumped away from him and proceeded on my way. God’s Word reveals the pitfalls, dangers and hazards as we walk on our journey.
Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
b. Like God’s Word, light provides us direction
God’s Word tells us where to walk as well. It provides direction for us. We are to “…walk in the light as He is in the light.”
Psalms 25:5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
Psalms 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.
c. Like God’s Word, light shows us our duty
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Now let’s look at the “...reproofs of instruction (which) are the way of life…”
II. The Reproof In Focus
I’m only going to focus on just two of the “…reproofs of instruction…” found in the Word of God but I think you will see the point I’m trying to make.
a. The value of life
What should be the Christians position on life inside and outside the womb? First, since the Bible teaches that it is God who gives life, only God has the right decide when life begins and when it should end.
Job 1:21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
Friends, abortion at any stage and for any reason is the destruction of a human life. Once conception occurs nothing else is added by either the mother or father genetically to the baby, (by the way, when a mother is pregnant she says she is having a baby not a fetus!)
Here are 10 questions you never hear a pro-choice candidate asked by the media:
1. You say you support a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices in regards to abortion and contraception. Are there any restrictions you would approve of?
2. In 2010, The Economist featured a cover story on “the war on girls” and the growth of “gendercide” in the world – abortion based solely on the sex of the baby. Does this phenomenon pose a problem for you or do you believe in the absolute right of a woman to terminate a pregnancy because the unborn fetus is female?
3. In many states, a teenager can have an abortion without her parents’ consent or knowledge but cannot get an aspirin from the school nurse without parental authorization. Do you support any restrictions or parental notification regarding abortion access for minors?
4. If you do not believe that human life begins at conception, when do you believe it begins? At what stage of development should an unborn child have human rights?
5. Currently, when genetic testing reveals an unborn child has Down Syndrome, most women choose to abort. How do you answer the charge that this phenomenon resembles the “eugenics” movement a century ago – the slow, but deliberate “weeding out” of those our society would deem “unfit” to live?
6. Do you believe an employer should be forced to violate his or her religious conscience by providing access to abortifacient drugs and contraception to employees?
7. Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. has said that “abortion is the white supremacist’s best friend,” pointing to the fact that Black and Latinos represent 25% of our population but account for 59% of all abortions. How do you respond to the charge that the majority of abortion clinics are found in inner-city areas with large numbers of minorities?
8. You describe abortion as a “tragic choice.” If abortion is not morally objectionable, then why is it tragic? Does this mean there is something about abortion that is different than other standard surgical procedures?
9. Do you believe abortion should be legal once the unborn fetus is viable – able to survive outside the womb?
10. If a pregnant woman and her unborn child are murdered, do you believe the criminal should face two counts of murder and serve a harsher sentence?
But what about the elderly, the sick and the dying? Our country is heading steadily towards the day when the decision about when you wish to die will be out of your hands. That decision will be made by a medical panel, or someone in the federal government and the decision will be based on economic and quality of life issues. Many states already have euthanasia and assisted suicide laws on the books and with the new health care law about to be implemented we will see it at the federal level as well. With just two changes in the make-up of the Supreme Court the issue will be a “done deal.”
b. The virtue of marriage
Liz Haloran of NPR writes that: “Six states and the nation's capital have recognized the legality of same-sex marriages, either by law or by court order. But over the past decade and a half, each of the 30 states to consider constitutional amendments that would outlaw such unions have adopted the ban — from Alaska in 1998 to North Carolina earlier this year. That may change on Election Day, when voters in Maryland, Washington, Maine and Minnesota — awash in money, messages and advertisements from both sides of the issue — will make their decision on whether to recognize gay marriage…It will be the first major test since President Obama in May became the first president to publicly state his support for gay marriage. This week, Obama also personally endorsed ballot measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington state that would legalize gay marriage; he has previously expressed opposition to efforts in Minnesota to pass a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage.
I am thankful that 30 states have seen fit to adopt constitutional amendment’s in support of traditional marriage and it is my hope that in the six states this year where same-sex marriage is being voted on that they will be defeated but whether they are or not there is only one definition of marriage that counts and it is the definition found in Genesis 2:
Genesis 2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.
21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
Matthew 19:4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female,
5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?
6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
God has ordained that marriage should be between a man and a woman and that has not changed! No matter what your particular circumstances are my friend, we do not have the right to redefine marriage!
Finally, we have an important responsibility!
III. The Responsibility We Face
Light is no good to a blind man or a man who has his eyes closed! We must have our eyes open and take advantage of the light! What we do with the light we have is important. You and I have a responsibility to do what President Abraham Lincoln said at his second inaugural, “…with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right…” Bro. Roy Harris writes that, “The church should be the light that pierces the darkness of a nation in moral decline. It should travel down every available avenue to proclaim the principles of right and wrong to those inside and outside her walls.”
a. Educate ourselves about where the candidates stand on the issues
Again, I quote Bro. Roy Harris: “Determining who we should vote for should not be a hard decision to make. This decision should transcend party identification, the latest poll, how our peers or family members plan or the suggestions of the media (liberal or conservative.) There should be something stronger guiding our thinking…We should vote for candidates who give evidence in their lifestyle and stated position which most closely reflects our own biblical and personally held beliefs.”
b. Exercise our right to vote
But don’t just vote, be a values voters! What happens when evangelicals vote their values? Here is an example in 2010:
“The American people have spoken, and replaced 38 pro-abortion Members with pro-life Members and replaced 14 unreliable Members with reliable pro-life Representatives,” said Congressman Chris Smith, Co-Chairman of the Congressional Pro-life Caucus. “Of the 93 Members of the Freshman Class at least 77 are committed to defending the unborn.
Almost every poll shows that Americans are becoming increasingly pro-life but in some recent elections we haven’t voted that way! That has to change!
Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.
In closing:
SAVED FROM OUR RUBBLE OF SIN-
The September 11, 2002 issues of TIME magazine has a touching article about 31-year old Genelle Guzman. Genelle was the last of just four people caught in the debris of the Twin Towers to be found alive.
After the planes hit the World Trade Center, Genelle was descending a stair case from the 64th floor of the North Tower. Steel beams weakened to their breaking point. Solid concrete was pulverized. But somehow her body found an air pocket.
Her right leg was pinned under heavy concrete pillars. Her head was caught between stacks of wreckage. But somehow she was still alive.
For twenty-seven hours Guzman lay trapped and seriously injured. In recent months before the attacks Genelle had started attending the church called Brooklyn Tabernacle, and wanted to get her life turned around. So while she was stuck in the rubble, she started to pray. She’d trail off into sleep – wake up and pray some more. Shortly after noon on Wednesday the 12th, she heard voices. So she screamed as loud as she could, “I’m here! HEY, I’M RIGHT HERE!” A rescue worker responded, "Do you see the light?" She did not. She took a piece of concrete and banged it against a broken stairway overhead—probably the same structure that had saved her life. The searchers find the noise. Genelle wedged her hand through a crack in the wall, and felt someone grab it. She heard a voice say, "I’ve got you," and Genelle Guzman said, "OH GOD, THANK YOU.” It took 20 long minutes, and then she was saved. In many ways, Genelle Guzman represents the plight of all people. We are buried under an enormous mess of spiritual black marks – ways we have wronged our perfect God. The Bible calls these things sin. We have no hope of freeing ourselves. We are truly stuck. In need of rescue. But by admitting the need to be forgiven – by reaching out and saying, “God, help me! I can’t get out of this unless you save me,” we can be confident that he hears and helps.
SOURCE: Matthew Rogers. Citation: TIME Magazine, 9/11/02, p. 38.
