Written October 16, 2016
Part III: Biblical Answers And Resources
Each hour of every day, you and I are faced with a myriad of decisions that leave indelible ripple effects across the entirety of our lives. Regardless of your religious convictions, each of us (rather consciously or subconsciously) are governed by someone or something. From local politics that affect our neighborhoods and schools, to federal politics that influence the very fabric of our nation; the Christian voter must educate himself by uncovering the complexities of politics through a Christian perspective. We thought through many of these complexities in the first part of the series. If you have not explored that post, you should start there now. Why? Because good decisions always emanate from asking great questions. In Part Two, we discussed being the ‘salt n light’ of the earth and why God desires for us to submit participatory ballots in light of eternity. Today, I aspire to conclude the series by presenting practical biblical support and additional resources with the aim to solidify your confidence deeper in God. It is my hope that these 6 gospel-rooted convictions will provide the nourishment that your voting confidence needs to germinate exceedingly and beyond expectations.
#1 Biblical Principles Should Inform Your Political Voting Decisions
“For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
God is truth. God is wisdom. Within Him, all knowledge and understanding both originates and finds its resting place. If this is true; and I assure you it is, we must first turn to Him for guidance as we prepare to participate in any voting endeavors. Though God speaks to us within our hearts and ministers through people; we must FIGHT to pivot our ears towards the direction in which His voice predominantly derives from~ namely the Bible. Understand this, you have to open your Bible. You just have to… there’s just no other way to circumvent this. To fallaciously presume that your voting confidence will increase separate from the word of God is an injudicious position to hold. The author of Proverbs was truly on to something when he warned us against the danger of, “trusting in our own understanding.” Despite our best efforts, you and I will always maintain intrinsically selfish motives behind the decisions we make apart from Christ. Therefore, we must turn to God as our supreme compass when we participate in the election.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
So much peace can be encountered if we choose to hold fast to this scripture. I understand how many complexities are involved with your efforts to vote for a political party or candidate. Indeed, this task seems overwhelmingly daunting. But as I shared within part two of this series; our best efforts simply will not eventuate towards an outcome in which our government intrinsically becomes Christian. Instead, we must funnel our ultimate hope down the eternal pipeline that overflows with the saving knowledge that Jesus Christ will specifically make His triumphant return in which ‘all things will be made new’. Therefore, our peace as we participate in the election permeates from deep convictions that God is most glorified NOT in how infallible our votes are; but whether our votes are rooted inside sanctified hearts that truly seek to honor Him. THIS is why you must study all you can with a ferocious mindset. Presidential candidates, local mayors, political bills alike; we must lean upon the wisdom that God has graciously provided through the common grace of intellect. In other words, strive to be stewards of knowledge. Not for knowledge’s sake, but because we desire to vote and live with hearts aligned with God’s. Most importantly, submerge yourself fully under the word of God. It’s then and only then that you will find Christ-centered confidence that God is being most glorified by your voting efforts as opposed to your voting decisions.
Great Questions to Ask Yourself
- What does the the Bible have to say about whatever issue I am seeking to confront in the upcoming election?
- Who can help me better understand what God’s Word says about the decision I am preparing to make?
- Am I able to find other like-minded Disciples of Christ who hold a similar interpretation that I am holding regarding this political decision?
#2 Your Approach to Political Agendas Matters
“He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him.” Proverbs 18:13
“The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17
“The first to plead his case seems right, until another comes and examines him.” Proverbs 18:17
Avoid the unassuming pitfall that awaits those who are easily swayed by promises and proclamations that attempt to satisfy our deepest convictions. Remember; the inherent goal and motivations of each political party is eternities apart from God’s inherent goals and motivations.While political candidates aim towards a version of human flourishing that produces superficial results at best; our God works to establish a type of kingdom on earth in which human flourishing will reach its true creative supremacy. Our government, led by man; will forever struggle between the tension of what is ultimately best for themselves and what is best for their people. Our God, lacking nothing; has no such tension to overcome. So you would be wise to fully hear–and then examine each political candidates plans and agendas connected to their cause. Listen closely to the bloviating rebuttals each candidate spews towards one another. Though exhausting, it will help you to produce a more biblically informed voting decision. Even if you have witnessed a satisfying speech that tempts you to “pledge your allegiance;” choose to exercise wisdom by patiently hearing out the other side. You’ll be glad that you did.
Helpful Suggestions:
- Questions, questions, questions. Ask a lot of questions.
- Avoid knee-jerk reactions and patiently wait on the Lord to direct your political voting footsteps. Never vote emotionally.
- Remember that there are two sides to every story.
#3 Examine Your Motives…Always
“All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, but the Lord weighs the motives.” Proverbs 16:2
“Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
“Who can say, ‘I have cleansed my heart, I am pure from my sin?” Proverbs 20:9
You and I are hopeless in making godly decisions separate from Christ. Come on, I need you to say it
“Apart from Christ I am utterly helpless to make godly decisions.”
For it is upon this interdependent foundation that we are positioned to experience the renewal of our minds. Now we are able to delight in the wonder of how much more desirable God’s motivations are as compared to our own. Why is this important? Because our life’s woes are too complex and we should not ultimately trust ourselves. Consider the woman who was raped that I alluded to in Part One. Are not her natural motivations primed for perversion as she contemplates her stance on ‘pro-life issues?’ Based upon her unique personal tragedy, will her personal inclinations automatically sync up with God’s desires within that decision? Are we able to excogitate about the business professional who makes a seven figure income? Is it safe to assume his motives will be diluted as he naturally seeks to protect his bottom line? Rest assured, both the woman and man expressed in these examples would feel strongly about their convictions being faultless…And for understandable reasons. They are emotionally invested. That is what makes our dependence and allegiance towards God’s word infinitely critical when submitting participatory ballots. Therefore, acknowledge your incapability to fully separate your emotions from your motivations; and instead vote in light of both scripture and eternity. It will serve as your righteous compass.
Thoughts to Meditate Upon:
- Acknowledge that you have ‘blind spots,’ after all; you are only human. Ask God to extend grace to heal the areas of your life that alter your motivations away from His. I promise you will submit much better voting decisions.
- Honestly assess your motives, both good and bad. Just acknowledge them
#4 Finding Gospel-Centered Counsel
“Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” Proverbs 11:14
“He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Proverbs 18:1
“He who separates himself seeks his own desire. He quarrels against all sound wisdom.” Proverbs 18:1
You’re not God. And since you aren’t; you’d do well to surround yourself amongst Gospel-centered individuals that can help you come to wise decisions. The empty rhetoric that spews from many spiritual leaders as they unhelpfully coach their congregations to keep their ‘political convictions’ to themselves seems sinful…or laggardly at best. For such a pretense stands at odds with the overwhelming support found within scripture that speaks to the contrary. Brothers and sisters, allowing yourself to come to critical decisions independently– directly positions you to fall prey towards both selfishness and ignorance. This is why God instructs us that there is wisdom in a ‘multitude of counselors’. This is true not only when discussing safe “preachy topics,” but in every area of life…especially when broaching the subject of politics. Oh how I pray that you would have spiritual teachers among your churches who will courageously guide their people. If not, we have provided supplemental resources towards this end below.
Always Remember:
- Recognize the difference between “selling” and “sharing.” Share your political convictions; don’t sell them. Remember why you initially came for counsel. You came for guidance. Simply articulate how you came to the political decision that you have; open your heart and ears towards good godly counsel. Of course “test all things” when you are finished.
- Know when to “open the circle.” Unfortunately, you may have to decide when it’s time to both leave and find new circles. Even if that includes your church. This was a terribly difficult lesson for me to learn within my own life. I’m intrinsically someone who avoids change and loves being ferociously committed to both people and places. However this gift can eventuate into sin. How? Because if your loyalty produces an unwilling heart that refuses to acknowledge when you are surrounded with people or places that are either spiritually deaf or lacking conviction that leads to action; you’re inaction will alter the climate of your heart to be indistinguishable from theirs. Remember, all sin is not by action. The Bible reveals many stories of terrible consequences that fell upon men and women for their inaction.
#5 Focus on Your Personal Sanctification and Integrity Irrespective of Your Political Convictions
“He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9
Keep a good reputation. Maintaining a good name among the circles of people you do life with is one of the most powerful gifts you can ever maintain. For you will not ultimately be judged for what you said but for the overwhelming action or inaction that you chose. This is not to suggest that our words are devoid of holding immense power to build up or tear down; for ‘sticks and stones’ have been known to destroy far worse than bones. Words; serving as the outward expression of the heart, have sanctioned some of the most egregious acts to human life ever imagined. Instead, realize that we live in a ‘watch and see’ visually stimulated generation that is emotionally driven by what they behold above all else. In the positive, this explains why a community can unapologetically support their local police officers irrespective of the ‘spoken reports’ detailing how police departments are filled with injustice and willful brutality. From their perspective, they are ultimately convinced of their supportive position by watching their local officers selflessly serve them well…in action…day by day. However a contralateral perspective would reveal the validity of a different community that holds fast to their unmitigated convictions that their local police department is truly an office filled with corruption. Why? Because no words will trump the visual and factual evidence to the contrary. Therefore, we as Bible Believing Christians must work diligently towards our own personal holiness. For unbelievers will understand far less of our spoken biblical and political convictions as they will understand and bear witness to our action and inaction we choose in our daily lives. So work heartily in communicating truth in your voting decision; yes. But confidently prioritize reflecting personal holiness in concert with what you proclaim if you desire for your witness to withstand the test of time. Nothing is more of a turn off then a hypocritical ‘Bible thumping Christian.’
A Statement to Share With Others:
There is no greater trumpet sound of your political convictions then the song of your life lived out loud through a Gospel-centered perspective.
#6 Communicate Your Voting Decisions ‘In Light of Winning Souls’
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who is wise wins souls.” Proverbs 11:30
You may find the proclamation to follow entirely ludicrous, however I’d argue towards the contrary. Not only is it logical; it’s God honoring… and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters to me. OK, are you ready? Here it is.
While Bible Believing Christians should perform their due diligence to become ‘well read’ stewards of the political climate; God’s chief burden for His children is less concerned with our ability to produce perfect votes, and He is infinitely more concerned with the cogitation behind our voting decisions.
In other words, why did you vote in the manner in which you did? I believe Christians should have an answer to this question. Bible believing Christians should winsomely share their Bible saturated voting rationale freely. For this confident communication anchored by gospel roots may serve as an opportunity to display the infinitely more attractive kingdom perspective on cultural matters as compared to a secular viewpoint. So even if we vote “ incorrectly,” our true ‘win’ is found in our explained reasoning. We must keep in the forefront of our mind that God is providentially working in and through imperfect people to establish His plan of perfection…WILLINGLY. Therefore, we find spiritual rest as we communicate our voting decisions in light of eternity as opposed to political accuracy.
Concluding Remarks:
As this series comes to it’s end, my hope is that the gates to your God-given ability to ‘Think deeply’ may now be awakened. It is my hope that you would overcome your Political Election Voting Insecurity Syndrome by way of the superior remedy known as the Gospel. Prayerfully, God will use this series to assist those who may not have voted to now engage with confidence. I pray that you would be compelled to reteach and recover these truths with your brothers and sisters who desperately need guidance. Making Much of Christ Ministries has excellent resources located below to help you begin the steps of registering to vote; providing guidance each step of the way. And for our subscribers; Making Much of Christ Ministries has aligned ourselves with specific materials from Focus on the Family to provide an entire family discipleship kit to begin teaching your children of every age how to actively participate as a Christian voter. Free to you! If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe for free NOW. And may God bless each of our approach as we aim to glorify Him in the upcoming election.
Loving you more than you know…
Loving you more than you know…
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visit the website: MAKING MUCH OF CHRIST MINISTRIES
To learn more about The God who’s ready to walk with you click HERE
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!