A Responsible Christian Vote

God's Daily Word Ministries | 11-01-2004 | Steve Troxel

[Hat-Trick]

A Responsible Christian Vote

Many people will be bothered that I'm writing on this topic, saying Christians or Christian organizations should not discuss politics. However, in my reading of Scripture I find that God desires our faith - our Christianity - to invade ALL areas of our life. Our worship of God should not be something we simply add to our life, it ought to redefine our life. And if our life has truly been transformed through faith in Jesus Christ, then it will become very natural for us to take this transformed life wherever we go, into every thought we think, every word we write, and into any and all conversations.

The first point is that all Christians who have the opportunity should vote. Many Christians around the world can only dream about the opportunity to have a say in how their country is run and many have only had this freedom for a few short years. Many have given their lives to establish or defend this freedom. Those of us who have this privilege ought to be ashamed if we fail to exercise this great honor because we take no interest or feel inconvenienced by the few hours it may cost in our day. We are required to act on the gifts we have been given; "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48). Voting is a privilege which comes with responsibility. When given the opportunity, VOTE!

Now, as a Christian, what guidance do we have in exercising this freedom? No matter what issue or candidate position is up for vote, the guidance is the same. The decision of voting, along with every other decision in life, should be entered through prayer and made according to the values of Christ. If we have placed our faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, we have been made (and continue to be made) into a new creation; "the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Part of this new creation is a change in the way we make decisions; "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). We should no longer make decisions according to a set of worldly values but according to the values of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

In making a decision on how to vote on a particular issue, we should consider how Christ would vote. And when voting for a person, we should vote based on who best reflects the decision making of Christ. This ought to be our ONLY guide. Admittedly, with some issues it's difficult to know how Christ would vote, but with many it's clear. For example, would Jesus approve laws which allow the killing of unborn children? Would He really promote laws which permit homosexual marriages?

If you can't answer these kind of questions then spend time in prayer and ask God to place His truth on your heart. Then armed with this truth, vote for the issues and people who best reflect the mind and attitude of Christ. This is our honor and our duty. This is how we can cast a responsible Christian vote.

Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries

[Hat-Trick]

This is today's devotional from Steve Troxel, founder of God's Daily Word Ministries in San Antonio, Texas. I'm posting this in case you know of any Christian fence-sitters who aren't sure if they should vote or aren't sure if they know who to vote for

I've found Steve's daily devotionals a great way to start my day with a proper focus.

[MEGoody]

I've run into Christians that say they will not vote because politics is 'evil.' My response is always, "Well, that means you believe running for political office is 'evil,' which means you think only non-believers should be running the country.

That always starts them to sputtering. One or two have seen the logic of my response and have now resolved to vote.

[lostcreekdad]

I also receive Steve's daily devotionals and find them uplifting every day. Steve led me to a closer walk with Christ and I encourage everyone to follow his advice.

[loboinok]

Many people will be bothered that I'm writing on this topic, saying Christians or Christian organizations should not discuss politics. Only if they are Demoncrats.Take Christians out of Politics and we will have what we are headed for,Godless government.Voting will then become a mute point.

[Sloth]

In making a decision on how to vote on a particular issue, we should consider how Christ would vote.

I cannot imagine Christ voting for any known candidate.

[bushisdamanin04]

”I cannot imagine Christ voting for any known candidate.”

Yeah, but he sure would smote a bunch of ‘em!

[Rocketman]

Where were people like this guy when the Christian coalition said that they would stand by and not vote back in 1992 when they told the world they wanted to teach republicans a lesson.

I have written on this several times before. On all the christians that sat out that election all the things that Clinton did legislatively, militarily and in his office with monica and other interns hangs on their heads.

They have never apologised and confessed to the nation their arrogance sin.

Because of this treasonous act the Christian coalition has all but passed from its national throne of power.

Personally I know of many liberal baptists and fundamentalists pastors and congregants that voted for Clinton both times that voted for Gore and will vote for Kerry.

I am Hhappy to see this but the act of this man and others do not erase what has been done or left undone by those in the past four election cycles.

[I'm ALL Right!]

Got this in my e-mail. Thought it was good, forwarded it on to my list. Although it doesn't say specifically, I assume the writer was talking about Bush, as Kerry just "found religion" recently, when he learned he was losing the black vote.

Do you know how many Christians did not vote in the last Presidential election? Over half of us! There are 20 million Christians in this country. If Christians vote in this election WE CAN CARRY THE VOTE! It's true!

DO NOT BE COMPLACENT! This election is too important!!! Call a friend if you need to get to the booth. Call the local GOP, I bet they have people willing to get you to your voting location if you are unable to do so yourself! If you have the means, how about volunteering to BE one who drives voters to the polls? You're needed!

Do you know the next President will name 3-4 Supreme Court Judges? Do you KNOW how that will effect the future of our country?

GET OUT AND VOTE, CHRISTIANS! Do not sit and wait for God to act. He uses us in his plans. It is our job to do our duty and vote for the man who really trusts Jesus with his life and with YOURS!

Please encourage your Christian friends to go vote. Drive them to the booth if you have to! Send this to your friends, or send a strong message of encouragement to them yourself. (Especially your friends in swing states!)

God Bless America!

[Zack Nguyen]

Where were people like this guy when the Christian coalition said that they would stand by and not vote back in 1992 when they told the world they wanted to teach republicans a lesson.

Please post the quote where Ralph Reed (Executive Director of the Christian Coalition in 1992) claimed that Christian conservatives would not vote to teach the Republicans a lesson. I am somewhat acquainted with Christian Coalition leaders, and this would be news to me.

[Rocketman]

The quote has been posted on FR probably 50 times -- I was a member back then and Fr members were outraged at that decision. I will see if I can find the quote you should try also I am not sure of the exact wording but it was the Christain Coalition that called for this to be done and in that election posters noted that they did as a group sit out the election. So let us search

[Zack Nguyen]

Then I would urge you to find the quote. I've been on FR quite awhile and I've never seen it. For Christian Coalition to urge its members not to vote for a particular candidate would have been illegal - they are a 501 c4 corporation, and can't tell people how to vote or not vote. Making a statement like you allege, in the name of Christian Coalition, would have invited an immediate IRS investigation.

CC has had its problems with the IRS, but I am fairly acquainted with the nature of these lawsuits, and none of them were related to a statement like that.

What Pat Robertson personally says on the 700 Club isn't subject to 501 c4 restrictions, and isn't legally connected to Christian Coalition, anymore than its connected to the ACLJ or Regent University.

[Zack Nguyen]

In addition, FR wasn't around in 1992.

[Rocketman]

Point taken. I'm probably thinking of 1996. I admit that events tend to run a little together in my mind.

This is What I found do far.

http://web2.uwindsor.ca/flipside/vol3/mar00/00mr27a.htm

They could presage a breakup of the party. Certainly if McCain were to confound expectations and emerge with the nomination, a large section of the Christian right would either sit out the election or bolt to the likely Reform Party candidate, Buchanan. (I remember this -- this was in 2000)

http://www.unknownnews.net/030817apoc.html

Political analyst James E. Campbell of the University at Buffalo said most voters realize that organizations on the extremes of the argument "are going to be unhappy with the plan."

"I don't see this as a big rift," he said. Christian evangelicals will not sit out next year's presidential election, Campbell said. "Where are they going to go?" (This is referring to that they did in 1992)

http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/elec6.htm

If he (McCain) becomes the party's nominee, the Christian Coalition would sit this vote out," Robertson declared. "We would not support him, and you would see a lot of Christian support for the Republican Party go out the door." (This was in 2000)

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a39d759c77fa2.htm

Robertson likes to talk tough as when he said that he and the Christian Coalition would sit out this presidential election if Bush chose a pro-aborter for Veep,

http://www.rnclife.org/reports/1996/july96/july.html "The Christian Coalition is prepared to sit out the 1996 presidential election if Bob Dole puts his 'declaration of tolerance' in the Republican abortion plank or chooses a pro-choice running mate, a coalition source said." (Washington Times, 6/12/96)

http://www.newswithoutborders.org/Archive/NWB031121/NYTarticle_031121.htm

In addition, if the swell of reaction among conservative leaders on Tuesday was any indication, the decision erases doubt — if there was any — that conservative voters would sit out this election the way many did when Mr. Bush's father ran for re-election in 1992. Anticipating this very decision, key Republican leaders had described gay marriage as the abortion issue of 2004, a certain way of igniting their supporters. For all that, the issue is hardly an unambiguous gift for Mr. Bush. More than most, this issue has complicated his effort to attract moderate voters by presenting himself as a "compassionate conservative," while at the same time reflecting the views of his conservative base. Beyond that, several Republicans said on Tuesday that Mr. Bush had to be wary, in taking on gay marriage, not to repeat the mistake his father made in 1992 and become too closely identified with conservative and religious leaders whose attacks on gay rights at the party's convention scared off moderate voters. (This is actually referring to the CC)

This was found on Google with the words "Christian coalition sit out and 1992" I have had difficulty finding articles before 2000 and I tried to use FR's search but it was temporarily down

I don't recall ralph reed saying that -- was gary bower their spokesman in 1996 Their spokeman said what I was talking about.

[Zack Nguyen]

"The Christian Coalition is prepared to sit out the 1996 presidential election if Bob Dole puts his 'declaration of tolerance' in the Republican abortion plank or chooses a pro-choice running mate, a coalition source said." (Washington Times, 6/12/96)

This was an anonymous quote, and doesn't mention "teaching someone a lesson", but is a conditional - the naming of a pro-abortion running mate in 1996, or the inclusion of the putrageoulsy dumb "tolerance plank" in the Republican Platform.

I wouldn't vote for a Republican ticket that included a pro-choice running mate either. Millions of Catholics and evangelicals would as well. So I don't see this as an extreme statement or a threat, rather an accurate interpretation of the conservative Christian vote.

[Zack Nguyen]

putrageoulsy = outrageously

Look, I invented a new word!

[Gal.5:1]

Bump. The Christians in Germany were passive. Look what happened! Hitler said to the chruch: "Just leave the soul of Germany to me." We cannot sleep and passively let those among us who are against God, truth, liberty and moral right, have the soul of our country. We must get out of the salt shaker and into the world. What good is salt if it loses its' saltiness? We must preserve the good, true and right in our country.