TO VOTE…OR NOT TO VOTE?

Back in the ‘90’s, we might have asked: “What would Jesus do?”  In other words, which presidential candidate would Jesus want us to vote for?  Would Jesus even want us to vote at all, since both candidates are such bigtime sinners?  What do you think?  I often hear that many Christians will decline to vote for either person in this election cycle.  Is this the right thing to do?  To answer this dilemma, let’s consider the Lord’s priorities in choosing important leaders in scripture.  After all, Isaiah 1:18 does say: “Come now, and let us reason together”.   
 
Consider Abraham:  God chose Abraham to be the “father” of His people that would eventually enter the “promised land” and become a “mighty nation” (Gen 15).  This promise was fulfilled in spite of Abraham’s sin when he doubted God’s promise and went in unto Hagar and had a son with her (Gen 16).
 
Consider Moses:  God chose Moses to lead His people out of bondage.  This promise was fulfilled even after Moses complained and tried to get out of the job (Exo 4).  Then just before entering the promised land, Moses sinned again by disobeying God and thus was not even allowed to enter the promised land with the others (Num 20).
 
Consider Saul:  When His people called out, God answered and chose Saul to deliver them out of the hand of the Philistines (1 Sam 9:16).  This promise was fulfilled even though Saul would be rejected by God because of his disgraceful life (1 Sam 15:11).  
 
Consider David:  God chose David “a man after His own heart” to be captain over His people and to continue the mission of Saul (1 Sam 13:14).  David brought peace to the land of Israel, but fell into adultery and murder when he slept with Bathsheba, a married woman, and caused her husband to be killed in battle (2 Sam 11).
 
Consider Paul:  God chose Paul on the road to Damascus to deliver the Gospel to the Gentiles throughout the known world (Acts 9).  Paul fulfilled his calling even though he was a confessed “blasphemer, persecutor and violent aggressor” even calling himself the “chief of all sinners” (1 Tim 1:12-17). 
 
Need I go on?  I don’t know about you, but I think a pattern is emerging here.  It seems that God actually uses sinners to accomplish His purposes. In America, the Lord even uses sinners like you and me to cast our votes for His choice for president (Dan 4:17).  This is a good thing!  Otherwise nothing would ever get done because we’re all a bunch of sinners (Rom 3:23).

So, where do we go from here?  We have established, and I think agreed, that we are sinners, the presidential candidates are sinners and all of the leaders that God has ever used throughout the ages were sinners, including the apostles.  Perhaps then we should get our eyes of off the sin and focus on our goals.  So, the question is:  Which candidate will at least try to make our country better for our children and grandchildren?  That is my goal.  What about you?
 
Do you care about partial-birth abortion not to mention abortion in general?
Do you care about being able to afford healthcare and penalties by the IRS?
Do you care about the quality of education of your children and grandchildren?
Do you care about the removal of God from the schools and freedom of religion?
Do you care about the economy and creation of jobs for your family members?
Do you care about rising taxes that lower your ability to provide for your family?
Do you care about the beliefs of judges appointed to the Supreme Court for life?
Do you care about your country being secure from terrorism and external perils?
Do you care about the constitutional right to defend your family’s lives from threats?
Do you care about freedom of speech and even freedom from political correctness?
 
I know many of you and I submit that you do believe in at least some of these issues.  Therefore, what will you do now?  The problem is defined and the solution is at hand.  All that is left is to engage with a real life struggle.  As JKF once said: “Ask not what your country can do for you (free stuff), ask what you can do for your country.” (Vote for the welfare of your children).  Who knows, perhaps God gave you and me a spirit of wisdom (Eph 1:17) for such a time as this (Est 4:13-14).
 
Mike Means