Calling All Christians: Vote Your Values

These are challenging times for America.  The nation that has served as the light of liberty for the world seems to be darkening.  There are many Americans who are openly expressing great concerns about our nation’s future in the generations to come.  I, too, have the same concerns – but even greater concerns that the true Church of Jesus Christ is failing to fulfill her responsibility in the public and political arenas of our great nation.

 

To bring our country back to the level of decency and morality designed by our forefathers, Christians must become the “salt” and “light” Christ commissioned us to be in our personal Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and world.

 

Our Lord tells us in Matthew 22:21, “...Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”  Unfortunately, some have misconstrued this as meaning that Christians have no place in Caesar’s public arena.  That is far from the reality of what Jesus was saying.  It is clear that He has commissioned us that we are to give of our time, our efforts and influence to the things of God; but also to the actions required for creating a godly government (Caesar’s).

 

Yet, so many Christians in our nation fear that their involvement in the political process is somehow “unchristian” or outside of the realm of Christian responsibility.  But nothing could be farther from the truth.  ‘Politics’ is not a dirty word, and it is not a spiritual ‘taboo’ for the followers of Christ to be involved in the political processes of our nation.  In fact, I believe God expects it from us all.

 

Billy Graham once stated, “If America is to survive, we must elect more God-centered men and women...”  Of course, to do that, we need godly candidates and godly voters.  Far too many Christians are not even registered to vote; and a large percentage of those who are registered don’t vote.

 

Wake up Christians; rise up and face the responsibilities that you have!

 

Now, this will no doubt wake up some of you.  I believe it is a sin not to vote.  Let me repeat that: I believe it is a sin not to vote.  Some are you are thinking – Where does it say in the Bible that it is a sin not to vote?  Listen, again: Jesus said, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s …” meaning that we are to render to the government whatever is our responsibility as citizens of the state to render.  And certainly in this nation that includes (at the very minimum) the responsibility of voting.  Why is it a sin not to?  Let me answer that with a question: Is not a sin any failure to obey a commandment given by God?  A sin is not whatever you like to think it is; it is a disobedience to the commands of God!

 

So, GET OUT TO VOTE!

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel