MY FAITH VOTES: THOUGHTS FROM A PASTOR'S HEART

Lately, I find myself wondering how there can be so many conflicting opinions coming from “Christians” during this election year? The arguments are tiring, discouraging, and downright perplexing!  

As Christians, we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), but that doesn’t negate our responsibility to participate in our civic responsibility as citizens here on earth (Romans 13:1). However, as sojourners, we should operate solely under a biblical worldview, which means we affirm that the Bible is the lens through which we view the world and the filter by which every issue of life is run through. And it is in the Word of God where we are commanded to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ to the culture around us (Matthew 5:13-16). Salt engages the decaying culture and preserves it. Light exposes the darkness and overcomes it.

As those who call ourselves Christians, we are expected to know biblical truth and practice what we preach (II Timothy 2:15). And without question, it is our responsibility to contribute to the land’s democratic republic by voting! But let me be clear before I move forward and say these thoughts are not a political endorsement for any particular party, but rather, they serve as a spiritual admonishment to the Church body. ‍

So how do I know who to vote for as a Christian? Should I pick the lesser of two evils? Am I looking for a Christian to lead? Does character count? Well, it’s really a lot simpler than that—biblical truth matters. And as such, a Christian should always choose platform policies over people and personalities. Can we at least agree that the evaluation of a person’s character is a complex process based on a wide variety of factors? And speaking as a Pastor, I will remind you that hidden sins are just as culpable as those nasty outer sins.

So, evaluating from the objective over the subjective is crucial. As followers of Christ, one should ask: What does the platform say about abortion? (Leviticus 20:1-5; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5; Exodus 20:13; Galatians 1:15; Luke 1:39-44). What are the educational initiatives aimed at our youth and do they affirm LGBTQ curriculum? (Matthew 18:6-7; I Thessalonians 4:3). Are they for immigration reform (protection at border and processes to legally enter); or will they make immigration the norm (which means no borders and anyone can enter)? (Romans 13:1-7; I Peter 2:13-16). Do the policies support Israel? --which is the fastest way to get blessed (or cursed) by God according to the Bible (Genesis 12:2). Does the platform support faith-based initiatives and freedom of religion, aka, our Constitutional rights? (Psalm 33:12; Proverbs 14:34; Romans 13:1-7). School choice? (Proverbs 22:6). Support for military and police? (Proverbs 21:15; Deuteronomy 16:20; Romans 13:3-4). Does your party of choice support ‘Black Lives Matter,’ whose organizational “what we believe” page (recently taken down due to unfavorable public scrutiny) still remains anti-authority, anti-cisgender, anti-father and anti-nuclear family? (All clearly attacks against biblical principles—Proverbs 6:16-19)! Not to mention, whose co-founders are trained Marxists.

And by the way, yes, absolutely, the lives of all black people matter, but sadly the organization doesn’t even espouse that in its actions and responses. BLM is anti-black in the womb, anti-black wearing blue, and anti-any-black that says the narrative isn’t true.

It is baffling that these extremely important non-negotiable biblical issues can be so downplayed and overlooked; and instead, many who wear the name of Christian remain fixated and blinded by hate for a leader—which by the way is unbiblical (Proverbs 10:12; I Timothy 2:1-2). Actions do speak louder than words. So, it would be best to evaluate someone’s actions over their words. For example, if you thought someone was a racist or sexist, which are very serious accusations by the way, you should see if his/her policies support that type of hate. And I must add: if you are a Christian and get your information solely from the godless mainstream media, then you need to make a U-turn and seek out Christian thought leaders starting with Jesus and the Bible. ‍

As a Christian, I am compelled to evaluate the spiritual temperature of my culture (I Corinthians 2:15). And it doesn’t take much acumen to see we are closer and closer to a socialist agenda becoming our governing framework. Ask the many churches in California, Chicago and New York that are being threatened with fines, arrest, and loss of property. Ask the churches, Christian schools, and other religious ministries in Virginia, where a new sexual orientation and gender identity law would subject them to ridiculous amounts of fines for simply operating according to their orthodoxy and belief in regard to marriage and human sexuality. The list of these tyrannical violations against people of faith is real and sadly extensive.

So, another question to evaluate: which party leaders espouse socialism? And know this: socialism always rolls over to Communism—ask China and Cuba how that worked out for them. Also consider how that would greatly limit your freedom as a Christian to preach and share the gospel.

I am not a single-issue voter; but a Christian voter. If a party’s platform is anti-Christian (pushing out all mention of God), anti-life (they call it pro-choice), anti-Israel (they call it diplomacy), anti-liberty (they call it being progressive), anti-police (they call it reforming society), anti-morality (they call it human rights), anti-guns (they call it “saving a life”), and affirms all forms of sexuality, as well as transgenderism, which not only goes against biology, but yes, it goes against biblical theology. Then the choice is clear.

Contrary to what Tim Keller wrote in a recently resurfaced 2018 blog, this isn’t about aligning our Christianity with a party, but seeing which party most aligns with Christianity. Whether you can see it or not, Christianity will survive without America, but America will not survive without Christianity.

America is at a precipice between freedom and socialism, literally. God and godlessness, spiritually and morally. Are you seeing the antichrist fruit in our culture that is emanating from the leftist and liberal root? If not, you must pray for spiritual eyes to see what is lurking beneath the surface and vote accordingly. My faith votes biblical because my conscience is held captive to what’s Scriptural. ‍

“For we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).