A Vote That Pleases God

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

Have you ever thought of your vote that way? We rarely think of such things as something God would care about, at least I don't, but He does. As the above verse from Corinthians states, we should do everything in our lives so that God is glorified - even voting.

So, what kind of vote would glorify and please God? I'm glad you asked! I won't reveal who I will be voting for, but I'm guessing you'll be able to tell by the end of this blog. I will also not tell you who you should vote for. Hopefully you are praying about that and becoming as informed as possible to make the best possible choice. Your choice is a matter between you and God. In the end, no authority is given to anyone that isn't given by God Himself (Romans 13:1).

Most people I talk to mention one or two specific reasons, often times both, they are voting for, or against, a certain candidate. Those reasons are the economy and the War in Iraq. Don't get me wrong, both of these are important, and both impact this country, but they shouldn't guide your vote. God probably will not speak audibly to you and tell you who you should vote for, but He has left some principles in the Bible that will help guide you.

The overriding principle is found in the book of Matthew, chapter 6. It says, "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Stated another way it means, "seek out and do the things that honor and please God and He will take care of the things that you need, like food, clothing, IRA's, 401K's, etc..."

Another principle at work is this: Scripture says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD." Psalm 33:12 (NKJV) How do we show that God is the Lord of our nation? I mean, beyond our just saying He is. It works the same for a nation as it does for an individual. The Bible says, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21 NKJV) and, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15 NKJV) If we don't put a candidate in office who is willing to keep God's commandments or to do His will, how can our country be "blessed?" The answer is, "It won't be."

In a candidate, what are the things to look for that show he will honor God and show that He is the Lord of our nation? Here are three:

1. Thou shalt not kill. (Exodus 20:13) This is one of the 10 Commandments. Coupled with God's desire for us to help those who can't help themselves (Isaiah 1:16-17; 58:6-7; Matthew 25:36, James 1:27), and the fact that He formed us in the womb and knew us before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5), we should look for the candidate that defends the life of the unborn. Some may say that wars and capital punishment are killing and ask why that should be any different. The answer is simple, they fall in a different category. God has given the state a responsibility and permission to punish for certain crimes and war is certainly allowable, for the state, in certain cases. In no instance is any individual, working outside the dictates of the state and as a representative of the state, to kill. Period. In the case of unborn children, the state has no reason to impose the death penalty. One candidate has promised that the first thing he'd do is to sign the Freedom of Choice Act - not exactly being a defender of the defenseless.

2. God says that He will bless those who are a blessing to Israel and He will curse those who curse Israel. Which candidate is going to bless Israel and which will be a curse to them? That doesn't mean backing them even when they are clearly in the wrong, but it does mean being an ally to them when they are threatened, supporting them on the world stage, and, well, being a blessing to them whenever and however we can.

3. This will sound like I'm singling one group out for condemnation, but I only mention them because they are a focal point this election. One candidate has stated that he'd repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. If you are not familiar with DOMA, it protects marriage as being between one man and one woman; in other words, the way God meant it from the beginning (Genesis 2:24). While we all are sinners, and homosexuals are no more condemned then say - adulterers - God is clear that the behavior is abhorrent to Him, so we should not condone the practice. In fact, God says of those who would like to make immoral (by God's standards) behavior acceptable, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20, NKJV) Which candidate will honor God by defending His original blueprint for marriage and not calling wrong "right"?

"Change," on it's own is neither "good" nor "bad." It's the direction of the change that's important. Change can take one of two forms, for the better or for the worse. Change for the sake of change is not the issue. It's which candidate will implement change that is more God honoring? Remember, God looks at the heart of the man, not at the "stature" of the man. If you'd like to read examples of "good" change, the stories of King Manasseh (2Kings 21 & 2Chronicles 33) and King Josiah (2Kings 22-23 & 2Chronicles 34-35) are good places to start.

I know the answer I've arrived at. I pray as you seek God, He will reveal the best choice to you - mine! ;-) Relax, I'm just kidding about that. I know He will reveal who He would have you choose, if you diligently seek the answer.

After the election, let's remember that this is still the greatest nation on earth, we are still one people, tribe and tongue, God is in control and he only allows to happen what He allows to happen. Let's be unified and subject to whomever He allows to rule over us.