VOTING IN GOOD CONSCIENCE?
Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Matthew [MKJV] 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its savor, with
what shall it be salted? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown
out and to be trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it
under the grain-measure, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are
in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.
Romans 13:1-2
Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority
but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. So that the one
resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist
will receive judgment to themselves.
Living in this
USA is a great privilege, howbeit privilege with responsibility large, not the
least of which may be wounding or dying to maintain status of our republic. And
then there’s voting, quite a quandary for many, including 40 million (Barna
stats) evangelicals that opted out of voting at all in the last presidential
election even though they could have played a part in deciding the outcome.
This Christian has
voted every election, local and national, with the exception of one due to circumstance
not decision. Prior to my John 3:3 rebirth voting was commonly via bone-headed
bias. After age 27 it entailed the issue of good conscience as a Bible
believing Christian . . . not always so simple as “Vote for David, he’s God’s
obviously anointed.” Voting responsibly before God is a weighty business, for
some an onus tipping them far from polling place.
First understand
that as influential “salt and light” we are to vote. This is the Word without
question.
Secondly,
deciding who and what to vote for may be often a quandary. This I know and have
repeatedly experienced for 53+ years. Deciding requires study, contemplation,
and definitely prayer.
Thirdly, bringing
me to the larger matter of participation: God ultimately deciding outcomes. For
us as His empowered John 1:12 family the question being whether we are striving
to be in accord, or not, with Christ building his church – is our participation
absolutely addressing the problem of aligning with the will of God??
Fourthly, in
deciding we as followers of Christ must very much consider the fact “I am the
Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.“ (Jn.14:6)
And last thought
for this morning, then there was Jehovah God anointed pagan King Cyrus that He
referred to as “… my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please” (Isaiah 44:28).
I leave you
thinking on these things and more as polling day rapidly approaches.
EBB4
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