Vote Biblically

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.