VOTE BIBLICALLY
How should a Christian Vote?
Philippians 3:20—Ephesians 2:19
As a Christian we have a dual citizenship. I believe all of us here today are US citizens (some who live in the US still retain citizenship of their home nation such as Canada, Mexico or other nations). However, national citizenship is not the whole picture. Christians are also citizens of heaven.
• Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.
As Christians our allegiance and faithfulness, our duty and obligation is first and foremost to the Kingdom of God. As believers we are citizens of heaven, a kingdom without end.
However, we are also citizens of the US. We live in a democratic republic which was born with three words, “We the people.” God has given us as Americans the opportunity to choose our leaders.
God establishes governments and gives them authority. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and other early Americans did not give birth to the United States of America. God gave it birth.
• Romans 13:1 (NLT)
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God.
The US is the greatest nation, the wealthiest and the strongest because God made it so. And God has given American citizens the opportunity to choose their leaders. God established the US as a nation where ordinary citizens can be involved in the election of local, state and national leaders with a simple vote.
While it may not be politically correct to give God the credit for setting up our form of government, it remains a biblical reality. As such when we as Christians fail to vote, when we who have the dual citizenship of heaven and the US are not involved in the election process it is a sin. More than any other American Christians should vote because it is our God given right and duty as citizens of heaven.
Throughout the fall campaign season I have encouraged you to go to the polls and vote this Tuesday, but not to simply vote based on political parties. I don’t want you to vote Democratic or Republican (or even worse to just flip a coin). Nor do I want you to stay uninvolved and not vote. I WANT YOU TO VOTE BIBLICALLY! Vote Tuesday the way Jesus would vote.
I realized this week the problem with how I have told you to vote; MANY OF US HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT MEANS TO VOTE BIBLICALLY! The reality for the church in America is far too many Christians are uncertain how to apply biblical teaching to daily living; many are clueless on how to live out their Christian faith in a practical basis. For many, their Christian faith is impotent Monday through Saturday.
This morning we are going to focus on some of the issues voters are confronted with in the 2004 election. I want you to be able to understand the issues from a biblical perspective—only then can you vote biblically.
Let me share two disclaimers or prerequisites. Some might argue we shouldn’t mix religion and politics. I agree. I’m not talking about religion and politics; I’m talking about faith and politics. Religion is an institution—it’s lifeless. Faith on the other hand is alive. Faith brings you into a relationship with Jesus Christ; FAITH DEFINES WHO YOU ARE.
Therefore, you cannot separate your faith from how you live. It is impossible to separate faith and politics; you can’t separate your faith from how you vote.
Secondly, some might say I’m endorsing a political candidate. Anyone who knows me much at all could probably tell you who I plan to vote for on Tuesday. However, I’m not here to endorse a candidate; I won’t even mention their names as we talk about the issues our nation faces. Legally the US government won’t allow me to endorse a candidate as your pastor; churches and non-profit organizations are not allowed to act as a political action committee. If you want to talk about Bush and Kerry with me as a private citizen, that’s a different matter.
One thing I can do as your pastor—and one thing the church can do is take a stand on issues.
During WW2 the church in Germany and throughout much of Europe remained silent regarding the issues of their day. Few were willing to take a stand against Hitler and the powerful Nazi adgenda. Jews were being arrested and taken to “work camps.” One church located along a railroad began to hear the crys of the Jews loaded into the railcars like cattle. The tearful pleading for help overwhelmed the local congregation. What would they do in response to these desparate crys? They decided to sing and play the organ louder; let the music silence the anguish that inturupted their worship.
Today the church in America does not have helpless Jews calling for help. Nevertheless we do face a conflict with our culture, what Dr. Dobson from Focus on the Family has called a “civil war of values.” The American Church can huddle in our sancuaries to pray and sing louder, or we can raise our voice in America and take a stand for truth.
We cannot remain silent. The time has come for Christians across America to speak out on the issus confronting our nation today. And that’s my focus today; I want you to understand the issues from a biblical perspective. When we think biblically about the decisions we will make as voters it should affect the way we vote.
I have been amazed and even dumbfounded as Christians have taken opposing sides in who they will vote for on Tuesday. Amazingly both will say they are being guided by their faith in who to vote for.
God’s word is not divided. God says what He means and means what He says. The key is to properly understand the issues from a biblical perspective, and not a “politically correct biblical perspective.”
I have told you God will hold you accountable for how you vote on Tuesday. Many of you probably thought you could vote for Bush or Kerry (or any other candidate running for any other office) and you would have fulfilled your duty before God. However, if you knowingly vote in a way that is in opposition to the Word of God then it is a sin! God requires holiness in every area of our lives which includes the voting booth.
Today we are going to look at seven issues facing us in the election. Why seven? You can’t end up with a tie. When you look at the issues biblically someone will come down on God’s side and someone won’t; if you examine the records of the candidates from the Whitehouse, to the courthouse, the senate and the house, on down to the governors, state and local races, AT MINIMUM SOMEONE WILL COME OUT AHEAD 4 TO 3!
ISSUE #1: HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE
This is Issue #1 at the ballot box across the state of Ohio. You and I have the opportunity to vote on the definition of legal marriage in Ohio this Tuesday. Here is how you will read Issue 1 in the voting booth:
PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT (Proposed by Initiative Petition)
1 Be it Resolved by the People of the State of Ohio:
That the Constitution of the State of Ohio be amended by adopting a section to be designated as Section 11 of Article XV thereof to read as follows:
Article XV—Section 11. Only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage valid in or recognized by this state and its political subdivisions. This state and its political subdivisions shall not create or recognize as a legal status for the relationship of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities significance or effect of marriage.
A majority yes vote is necessary for passage.
Let me officially go on record as saying you should vote yes on issue 1. Many of you signed petitions which were instrumental in having this constitutional amendment put on the ballot. Now it is time for Christians to vote yes on issue 1.
The Bible defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Do any of you here remember Adam and Eve? Before God established governments and before there was a church GOD CREATED THE FAMILY.
• Genesis 2:24 (NIV) see also Ephesians 5:31
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
From Massachusetts to San Francisco and everywhere in-between the issue of gay marriage has become a hot topic of discussion. Courts and activist judges have shown a tendency to rewrite the laws concerning marriage. A small percentage of the American population wants to push their activist agenda upon our nation. While the push for gay marriage may surprise us, it doesn’t surprise God.
• Romans 1:26-32 (MsgB)
Refusing to know God, they soon didn’t know how to be human either—women didn’t know how to be women, men didn’t know how to be men. [27] Sexually confused, they abused and defiled one another, women with women, men with men—all lust, no love. And then they paid for it, oh, how they paid for it—emptied of God and love, godless and loveless wretches. [28] Since they didn’t bother to acknowledge God, God quit bothering them and let them run loose. [29] And then all hell broke loose . . . [32] And it’s not as if they don’t know better. They know perfectly well they’re spitting in God’s face. And they don’t care—worse, they hand out prizes to those who do the worst things best!
• Romans 1:32 (NIV)
Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
The NLT ends verse 32 like this, “And, worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.” People who have turned their backs on God are not offended by their sin—THEY ARE OFFENDED OTHERS DON’T JOIN THEM IN THEIR SIN!
Let me be clear. I received a call from someone who was offended by having “Defend Marriage Vote Yes on Issue 1” on our church sign. This individual claimed we were homo-phobic and gay bashers. I didn’t read anything like that on the sign, but that’s what they thought. Let me tell you what I told them.
I don’t hate the homosexual, and neither does God. What we hate is their sin. God loves us and is willing to forgive us all of our sin; I am a sinner forgiven by God.
Folks I’m not here to bash gays and homosexuals. Unfortunately the truth offends them. Gays, homosexuals and others lost in sin do not want to hear what the Bible says. Satan has blinded the eyes of their hearts so they say calling their lifestyle a choice, or saying homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual activity outside the union of marriage is a sin, these things in their minds is hate speech.
God set the rules for marriage. One man united with one woman; the two become one flesh for life. Nothing we can say or do will change that, not even divorce.
When you go to vote Tuesday you need to vote biblically. If you don’t already know where candidates stand on the issue of gay marriage you have two days to find out. Vote yes on issue one, and vote for candidates who will defend the institution of marriage as one man and one woman.
ISSUE #2: SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Over the last 30 years the Supreme Court has gone beyond their constitutionally defined role of interpreting laws passed by the Congress and state legislatures with ruling that have legislated new “laws” from the bench. Lower courts have followed the example of the Supreme Court creating law rather than sitting in judgment of the law.
You may not think the Supreme Court is an ethical issue God would speak about. However, the actions and decision of the court have imposed new policies upon our nation which stand in direct opposition to God’s Word.
It is unlikely elected officials would have ever enacted the type of legislation the Supreme Court has decreed. While city, county, state and national leaders are accountable to the voters for the laws passed, the Supreme Court is appointed for life. Nine Supreme Court Justices sit above the people unaccountable for the decisions made in their chambers.
The Supreme Court has imposed a liberal agenda upon America inconsistent with biblical values.
• The Supreme Court allows abortionists to murder unborn babies (contrary to Exodus 20:13 and Romans 13:9 “You shall not murder”).
• The Supreme Court has protected pornographers who poison the minds of children and adults (contrary to Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet. . . your neighbors’ wife” also Matthew 5:28).
• The Supreme Court has banished prayer, God’s Name and God’s laws from public places (thus prohibiting the free exercise of religion and opposing Romans 13:3 whereby government should “hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong”).
• The Courts have redefined marriage to include homosexual couples (giving government approval for actions Romans 1:26-28 says are morally wrong.)
In taking making such judicial rulings which legislate law from the court, the Supreme Court has seriously distorted the system of “checks and balances” intended by the Constitution between the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government.
Because of this activist role the Supreme Court and in turn lower courts have assumed for themselves we should support candidates for the Presidency and Senate who are committed to appointing judges who will fulfill the intent of the Constitution to interpret law and not create law from the court.
ISSUE #3: DEFENSE AGAINST TERRORISTS
A basic responsibility of government is to “punish those who do wrong” and protect its citizens (1Peter 2:14 NIV). We now face a unique challenge; 9/11 has opened our eyes to terrorists whose commitment to attacking our nation is so great they will sacrifice their own lives. Such individuals will not be deterred from carrying out their plans with the usual threat of punishing a criminal for their crimes.
While individuals are not to seek personal revenge but “turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:39), the Bible clearly teaches governments are responsible to “bear the sword . . . an agent of wrath to bring punishment upon the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4 NIV).
Voting biblically means we should look for candidates who will strengthen our military and law enforcement officials to pursue terrorist. Biblically we understand and expect our leaders to use force to stop terrorist before they strike us. As a nation we are at war with those who oppose us; let’s not wait for them to attack us again.
ISSUE #4: ABORTION AND EUTHENASIA
The Bible views the unborn child as a human person who should be protected from the moment of conception.
• Psalm 139:13, 16 (NIV)
[13] For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb . . . [16] your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
• Psalm 51:5 (NIV)
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
God’s word protected the life of the unborn child, and so should we.
• Exodus 21:22-23 (NIV)
[22] "If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. [23] But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life.
If you and I are to vote biblically then we must choose candidates who will defend the life of the unborn child—not just a personal belief, but a willingness to work for laws that will protect all human life from conception to natural death.
The evil twin sister of abortion is euthanasia. Legalized abortion has created a culture of death in our society. The American society is pushing its way toward making euthanasia legal. (Shouldn’t we expect this to be happening? We have a generation who has grown up with killing unborn babies; in the same way children will one day be ordering the deaths of their parents).
• Ecclesiastes 8:8 (NLT)
None of us can hold back our spirit from departing. None of us has the power to prevent the day of our death. There is no escaping that obligation, that dark battle. And in the face of death, wickedness will certainly not rescue those who practice it.
• Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)
Man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.
God is the author of life, and He alone establishes the day of a man’s death. We are not to take our own lives, nor should we think we are being merciful to prematurely end the life of another.
Voting biblically means we will vote to protect life.
ISSUE #5: EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH
We live in a technologically advanced society with new and challenging ethical questions. Creating human embryos in the lab through artificial insemination is the beginning of human life. This reduces the value of human life to being a “parts store.” Harvesting body parts is contrary to the command “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13).
Stem cell research can still be done with an alternative that does not destroy human life. Adult stem cells can be used for research and are not inferior to those “manufactured in a lab.”
Voting biblically means we will support candidates who will not allow government funds to be used to create more human embryos only to end their lives just to take stem cells for research.
ISSUE #6: NATURAL RESOURCES
The Bible teaches us that God created man and has given him authority over the earth
• Genesis 1:28 (NIV)
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
• Genesis 2:15 (NIV)
The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.
God’s creation is beautiful! Each fall God puts on a display of color for us to enjoy.
The Bible teaches us we are to be responsible stewards or managers who protect and preserve God’s creation. This does not mean we restrict development or use of our natural resources. God wants us to use the resources He has given to us wisely and to safeguard them for future generations.
The Bible does not teach that nature should remain “untouched.” Many today view humanity as a cancer infecting nature like a plague; they resist any development of the earth’s resources which in turn contributes to famine, starvation, disease, and death among the poor throughout the world.
• 1 Timothy 4:4 (MsgB)
Everything God created is good, and to be received with thanks. Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.
Voting biblically means choosing candidates who will allow resources to be used wisely. Candidates who embrace new age environmental theories and oppose nearly all economic development in our nation and around the world oppose the biblical world view of man being a good steward of God’s creation.
ISSUE #7: FINANCIAL SECURITY AND THE ECONOMY
Some say always save the best for last. In the case of issue we as voters face in this election we SAVED THE LEAST FOR LAST.
Candidates for national, state, and local offices will jump on the economic band wagon. Republicans and Democrats alike have blamed each other for the problems in the economy. They will talk about tax cuts, or government deficits which “the rich” should pay for with higher taxes. Debate is heard at every turn about the future of Social Security; plans to let younger workers invest some of their earning in personal retirement accounts and fears of having benefits cut fill the debate.
Biblically Christians do not need to look to Washington DC or their state capitals for jobs and a better economic plan. The government is not now, nor will it ever be your source.
GOD IS YOUR SOURCE! He has promised to meet all your needs regardless of who lives in the Whitehouse.
• Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)
[31] So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. [32] Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, [33] and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
• Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
If your primary motivation to vote for one candidate over another is based primarily from the issue of financial security and economic development, you need to stop and ask yourself, “Who is my God really?”
• Matthew 6:24 (NIV)
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
Yes we should be aware of the economic plan candidates have, but financial security and jobs should not be our primary motivation. Remember we’ve saved the LEAST FOR LAST. God is your source!
When should we consider the financial plans of candidates? If after looking at the other 6 issues you have a tie, then let God help you discern which economic plan best represents His priorities. In other words, in the rare times you have two candidates who are equally matched against on another biblically, then you have one last issue you can use to help you decide which candidate will most reflect biblical values.
More often than not the choice will be clear long before you think about the economy. In the long run it would be better to vote for the candidate who has a weaker economic plan, but takes a stand for biblical values than to vote from your wallet.
Seven issues which when examined from a biblical perspective will help us vote biblically.
1. Homosexual Marriage.
2. Supreme Court Justices.
3. Defense Against Terrorism.
4. Abortion and Euthanasia.
5. Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
6. Natural Resources.
7. Financial Security and Economic Development.
Think about these issues biblically and let God direct your vote!
TRUTHS TO KEEP IN MIND OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS:
God will still be God regardless of the outcome on November 2.
God is neither Democrat or Republican…He loves all humanity.
Don’t believe everything you read or hear.
Filter all the political rhetoric through the Word of God.
Live and act like a follower of Christ no matter what the outcome is on November 2.
