Tom Mount – June 2, 2024

 

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1, 4-7

Introduction

  • We are just five months away from one of most important elections in our lifetimes. Several domestic and international realities make this election especially critical.
  • Title: “Loving your God and neighbor by voting well.” What is meant by “well?”
  1. Reflects God’s heart on important issues. Requires we know the Word.
  2. Informed by a critical assessment of the relevant facts.
  3. Understands the practical realities of any given election cycle.

 

Why bother?

  • Three objections to voting
  1. Theological objection: “Christians shouldn’t vote because voting has to do with worldly affairs and we belong to God’s kingdom of heaven.” Based on two faulty premises: 1. Myth of a sacred/secular divide, 2. Pagan notion that the “image of God” within humanity is limited to kings.
  2. The “Not enough time” objection: “I’m too busy to study the issues and vote responsibly.” 1. Certain things we must make time for, 2. There are shortcuts.
  3. The “Not interested” objection: “I’m just not into politics.”
  • Four biblical reasons to vote well (biblically, intelligently, pragmatically)
  1. God commands us to care about our geopolitical “place” (Jonah 4:11; 1 Tim 2:1-4). Caring entails our being salt and light, praying and doing “good works” (Mt 5:13-16; Jer 29:4-7; Eph 2:10). Voting well is one such good work.
  2. If you have been given a special gift you have a moral duty to show gratitude for it and care for it (Rom 1:21; Lk 17:11-18).
  3. If you love God, you want to see him honored. How? By being reverenced and obeyed, by his will being done on earth as in heaven, by his instruction followed, by treating people with love, mercy and justice.
  4. If you love your “neighbors” you want them to be blessed. People are blessed by good leaders (Prov 29:2) and sound public policies that improve their lives (e.g., 1 Kings 12:3-4). Good public policies:
  • Keep people safe (military, law and order, equal justice, secure borders).
  • Give people economic opportunities (low taxes, limited gov’t, incentives in low-income areas, immigration policy, homelessness).
  • Preserve people’s God given (and Constitutionally protected) freedoms.
  • Disincentivize evil and reward good (Rom 13:3-5).
  • Allow for opportunities for people to hear and obey the Gospel.
  • Summary: When leaders and policies dishonor God and harm people, God must respond by opposing those nations (“wrath,” Rom 1:18, ff.). That hurts.

What is needed to vote well?

  1. Register (forms in lobby or online: https://registertovote.ca.gov/).
  2. Research the candidates and their policies (see party platform links below).
  3. Vote for those candidates/parties whose policies best align with God’s Word.
  4. Pray continuously:
  • That God would have mercy on our nation, states, cities, school districts.
  • That God would expose and hold accountable bad actors currently in government positions (1. Removal, 2. Repentance).
  • That there would be no election interference, fraud or cheating that is not discovered and rectified: just one vote per living, legal citizen. Pray that God would expose everyone who attempts to cheat by either party.
  • That God would prompt his people to vote in droves this year and in the future.
  • That, this November, God would put in the Oval Office, Senate, Congress, statehouses, city councils and school boards, the best of the available options.
  • That, in the future, God would raise up godly, intelligent, humble public servants to run for office who are deserving of the honor.

Thoughts on the presidential race

  • There are currently six presidential candidates: Robert Kennedy, Jr. and Cornel West (Independents), Chase Oliver (Libertarian), Jill Stein (Green Party), Joe Biden (Democrat), Donald Trump (Republican). If current conditions hold, only the last two have a chance of winning. Good news: we have their track records to compare.
  • Vote for policies (party platforms), not personalities. You are choosing a chief executive, not a scout master or best friend.
  • Some critically important issues. Inflation/cost of living #1 issue (May 25 Reuters/Ipsos poll). Others:
    • A – Abortion
    • B – Border
    • C –Crime (law and order)
    • D – Defense
    • E – Education
    • F – Foreign policy
    • G – Gas (energy)

Resources