Elections

Haven't blogged in a long time. Not much to say that has come to mind that might be helpful or impactful in people's lives, so no need to put more words out there (as if there weren't already enough). Maybe we should start worrying about word overpopulation instead of world overpopulation.

But with the elections coming up, maybe just a few things. Not really deep thoughts (plenty of wiser men have already written), not just political bullying, and not just bemoaning, just things that I think that we should think about as believers WHEN we vote.

1. We are not of this world, we have another home and another kingdom, which is far more valuable. It's King and it's advance is our first priority.
2. We are given the privilege to vote for our representatives and governmental leaders in this country. Even if we don't like our choices, realize the blessing. I'll stop short of saying it is a Christian duty to vote, but I think you should.
3. God is the one who raises up kings and kingdoms, and he also removes them, and he does it all for his purposes. Sometimes we are not to know those purposes.
4. Vote your conscience! There are not only two choices. Refuse to be bullied into doing something that goes against your convictions. Know the candidates, and the likelihood of the ramifications of your vote. It does count.
5. There are some issues which candidates hold that are deal-breakers, such as abortion. There are some that really important. Then there are some that are preferential. 
6. Realize that thoughtful, wise, believers may come to different conclusions, especially as it relates to the last two of the previous categories. This is okay. We can still love each other, and especially in the public sphere, we must resist the urge to respond in anger.
7. Realize that the candidates are substantially different on many issues, but people thought that Obama was the anti-Christ and would bring the destruction of the country, and people thought that about Bush before that. America will be here after Clinton, Trump, or whoever the House of Representatives chooses if nobody reaches 270 electoral votes. Research your constitution, too. Know what happens "if..." So stop decrying the end of civilization as we know it. Politics are corrupt, shouldn't be a surprise to you.
8. Trust Jesus Christ, fixing your eyes on the things above, pressing on toward the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ!

Just my thoughts. Thanks for both of you who read it :-) 

Religion and Politics

Politics, Politics. Some of us despise it, some of us enjoy it. Some of us are passionate, and some of us are apathetic. Like it or not, the 2016 election is coming upon us. There are many systems of government; we have a democratic representative republic. We do have the right, and as good citizens, the responsibility to vote. So, I am assuming you are going to vote. Sixty million evangelical voters did not vote in the last election, don’t be like them, vote. I am not going to endorse a candidate, but I do think there is an understanding of biblical principles regarding government and conscience that we must consider.

Order rather than chaos. The bible teaches that this is one of the purposes of government. Anarchy, the absence of government, is defined this way according to Merriam-Webster: a situation of confusion and wild behavior in which the people in a country, group, organization, etc., not controlled by rules or laws; a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority; absence or denial of any authority or established order. God is a God of order. Therefore, just as in the home, just as in the church, He has established an authority structure; to rebel against government is to rebel against God, and bring judgment on yourself, Romans 13:2. Just like the home, just like the church, God, as the author of order, is its head, Romans 13:1. All authority is given by give him. Jesus told Pilate that he would have “no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above,” in John 19:10-11. So the purpose that we draw from scripture is that government exists to give order. As you vote, consider this: is your candidate going to help bring about order in our nation?

Good rather than bad. The bible also teaches that one of the purposes of government is to ensure welfare of people. The main way this is carried out is by rewarding of good behavior and the punishing of bad behavior. Romans 13:3-4, and also in 1 Peter 2:14, we are told that the government is to recognize (and help society recognize) what is good. It is given the power to execute punishment (God’s wrath) on criminals, even capital punishment. Therefore, as we vote, ask the question: does the candidate I vote for understand right from wrong, good from bad? Even from a non-religious standpoint, any leader must have this basic understanding to govern well. 

An observation rather than a purpose. God uses government to accomplish His purposes. He uses leaders whether they are good or bad, to ensure that His will is done. He used Pilate, Darius, Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar, the kings of all the nations displaced by Israel in the conquest, and Pharaoh, whom God specifically told, “for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth,” in Exodus 9:16. God used evil rulers to shape world events, as well as the biblical meta-narrative of salvation, for His glory. Therefore, this is an instance like Phil 2:12-13, John 1:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:10, Col 1:29, and Matt 10:18-20, where we labor and do all that we can to affect a situation, and God uses that to bring about His plan. So, consider that regardless of the outcome of this election, our vote does count in electing God’s choice to lead our country.

We get caught up in rhetoric, debates, and personalities, but we must attempt to maintain a biblical mindset. Issues are important (some are deal-breakers), policies are important, and agendas are important, but think about government, not just politics. Even though at family get togethers we are not supposed to bring up religion or politics, for the believer, one should not separate a biblical worldview, as it relates to government, from thoughtful consideration prior to and at the polling place.