Thinking Biblically About Freedom - The Vote Series

THINKING BIBLICALLY ABOUT FREEDOM:

THE FREEDOM, THE RIGHT AND THE RESPONSIBILITY TO VOTE.

-- The freedom to vote.

-- The right and responsibility to vote.

-- The necessity (obligation) to vote rightly (righteously) and responsibly.

Text: Proverbs 29:2; Isaiah 10:1.

When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice:

but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. Proverbs 29:2

Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees,

and that write grievousness which they have prescribed. Isaiah 10:1

Scripture Reading:

Isaiah 10 KJV

1 Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;

2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.

Matthew 10:32-42 KJV

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.

42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Introduction:

In America we enjoy the freedoms of democracy through a form of government known as a republic. The term “republic” simply means a representative form of democratic government. We the people elect representatives who participate in governmental processes on our behalf. This occurs at every level from the federal, national, level down through the state, county, city, and neighborhood community levels. And it has worked very well for over two and one-quarter centuries.

Our present form of government has been based upon the freedom document called the Constitution of the United States of America. The framers of this incredible document did their best to author a document that would compel government agencies and officials to fulfill their functions in such a way as to avoid the evils of corruption and tyranny so prevalent among the rulers and leaders of the world. However, they could not foresee all the changes that would come to pass in our nation and in the world during the intervening decades between then and now. And they realized that. So provision was included for the due process of amending the document as necessary. It was not a perfect document, but it provided a foundation so stable that in 228 years only 27 amendments have been deemed necessary. Some have been minor adjustments, some have been major corrections. But this freedom document has insured the rights of American people as no other document has been able for any other nation.

Many have gone before us to win, defend and preserve the freedoms we enjoy in our nation today. Many continue to defend and preserve these freedoms at the present time. We must continue to bear this in mind and perform diligently our responsibilities as good citizens. We dare not consider lightly our rights and responsibilities, among these the right to vote, and the serious responsibility to vote conscientiously.

My purpose in this lesson is not to issue an endorsement of any political party or particular candidate running for office. To do so would be an abuse of my station of trust as a minister of Christian education and position as a teacher in the Church of God. It might also create a problem concerning tax-exempt status, which could have implications for this ministry as well as your own financial contributions. Although some may have expressed such endorsements, either explicitly or implicitly, I will not do so from this teaching station. I would be willing to discuss my personal positions and beliefs on some of these issues at another time and place in private conversation. I am well aware that there is a wide variance of opinion within the Church regarding political, social, economic and other issues and there is serious danger of causing divisiveness or discord if discussion of them is not carried on in the proper spirit. My purpose in this lesson is not to promote one particular position as “THE Christian position”, but to encourage us to think carefully and biblically about these issues. It is of great importance to consider carefully the issues and candidates involved in any election and to make decisions which we as Christians could in all sincerity, integrity and good conscience submit in righteousness before our Lord.