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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
The 2004 Election
They say politics and religion don’t mix. Both include strong convictions, and both have long-term consequences. Legal restraints are placed on churches and religious groups, intending to preserve each individual’s right to make a free choice.
An almost “sacred” element of our electoral system is that each individual has the right to make his/her own decisions regarding the ballot box. I can vote as I please, and you can vote as you please, says the law. No one has the right to tell us who to vote for in any election, whether they are in a governmental position, in law enforcement, or even a preacher.
A Christian enters the voting process with a mindset different from those who have no respect for God or for righteousness. The Bible teaches us that the kingdom of God, Christ’s church, must be first in our emphasis and in our choices (Read Matthew 6:33 very carefully). The Christian’s choices at the ballot box will be such that God’s truth, God’s work and God’s moral principles are at the very top of our list of priorities.
We cannot expect to find a candidate for any political office who will have the very same views we have on every point. However, that person’s values should have an impact on for whom we vote.
We have the greatest respect for the principles that were at the roots of the establishment of this nation. Every study of America’s early value systems indicates that biblical truths were uppermost in the minds of our nation’s founders. While this is under attack today, that fact remains true. Early Christians lived in communities that opposed the zeal and the ethics of Jesus Christ. They had no opportunity to choose their public officials. Many were persecuted and died for the biblical values they embraced.
Before we enter the voting booth, we must be well informed regarding each candidate, local and national, knowing where they stand on political and moral issues. Then, if we “seek the kingdom” first, we will campaign for and vote for those who uphold and respect biblical values.
Can you imagine Christ giving His support to those who encouraged immorality? Did the apostle Paul praise those who sent infants into slavery? We should pray for our leaders, 1 Timothy 2:1-4, even those with whom we strongly disagree. But give them support and encourage them in wickedness? We all know that would have been unthinkable.
Early Christians obeyed their government’s laws as long as such obedience did not violate God’s laws. If you read Romans 13, Acts 4, 5 you will discover that some went to prison and suffered physical punishment rather than compromise the will and the principles of our Lord.
If today’s news reporters and pollsters are correct, many religious folk will vote for a person even if that person advocates views that are the very opposite of their own moral standards. Some have voted for one political party “all their lives” and would not change regardless of who is chosen as that party’s candidate. Some will vote for the person they think will put the most money in their pockets. Some will work hard to be an informed voter, while others merely search for someone who dresses nice or whom they think “looks presidential.” Some will let entertainers or famous athletes decide their vote, but Christians must allow our allegiance to God be the major factor in our decisions, in both local and national elections!
Strange things have happened in the weeks and months prior to presidential elections. Smear campaigns, mud slinging, half-truths, blatant lies, exaggerations, etc. have become commonplace, and some elections have been determined by such tactics.
Christians have a tremendous responsibility in the voting booth, but should the elders/shepherds of a congregation tell their people how to vote? Should a church promote the candidacy of any one person or one political party? I would think that most of us would say “no” to these questions.
But surely we can agree that the previously stated principles should be uppermost in our minds when we cast our vote. We need to be
prepared for that election day, and to pray for the wisdom and the courage to let God have His way. Then, whatever the outcome, we can be assured that we have been good stewards of our rights and privileges, both as American citizens and as God’s people. Be an informed citizen, and be sure to vote!
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“Our people are slow to learn the wisdom of sending character instead of talent to Congress.”
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake…For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king,”
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Developing Spiritual Maturity
(Wayne Jackson commented that the Bible “contains many rich principles which challenge us to develop a greater sense of spiritual maturity and to soar to heights that are God-honoring. Our Creator has placed us ’on our honor’ to grow to greater heights…[Biblical] morality runs deep into the soul; it challenges us to get our hearts under control.”)
Being made righteous before God, it is imperative for us to live righteously before men. God, however, has not only a standard for us, He intends Christians to be standards (1 Timothy 4:12; James 1:22). Think of these manifold requirements. We are told to be different from the world (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4; 12:1-2). We are to shine as lights amidst the world’s darkness (Matthew 5:14-16). We are to walk worthy of God, as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 5:8). We are to live pleasing to God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:17; Colossians 1:10). We are to be examples to others in all things (1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Timothy 4:12). We are to be victorious in temptation and tribulation (Romans 12:12; Colossians 1:11; James 1:2-4). We are to be conspicuous for our humility (Ephesians 4:12; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 3:3-4). We must appropriate [God’s} divine power for the accomplishment of all God wants to make us and desires us to be (Philippians 3:12-16, 20-21; 2 Peter 1:2-3).
Throughout all the epistles are scattered rules and directions, covering the whole ground of private and social life. The apostles taught that as a man believes, so must he behave. Creed [i.e., manner of life] should be reflected in conduct. Virtues must be acquired (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12-17; 2 Peter 2:5-7; Titus 2:12), and vices shunned (Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-9). Love, as the parent of all virtue must be fostered (Romans 5:1-2, 7-8; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 11). Christ’s image must be reflected in the lives of those He saves (Romans 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 15:49-58; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Phil. 3:8-14).
Truly, ours is a high and holy calling. Belonging to Christ, we must behave accordingly. Having accepted Christ we must live Christ, which is not a mere fleshly imitation of Him but the outworking of His own life within. If His law is written upon our heart (Hebrews 8:10), and His Spirit [Who guided the apostles into all truth, will through that truth, CBG], enlighten our conscience (John 16:13; then, with a will harmonized to the Lord’s will (Psalm 143:10), and affections set on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1), there [should] be no contradiction between profession and practice. What we believe will influence behavior, and creed will harmonize with conduct and character.
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