I make the above statement because votes should be made more objectively rather than subjectively. Preeminently, votes should be cast based on a candidate’s policies on issues rather than on the person himself. Further, a voter might consider a candidate’s worldview, experience, functioning capacity, and character to carry out these policies. Little attention should be given to criteria such as the person’s race, sex or age.
The American people have turned presidential campaigns into a partisan, superficial popularity contest. Historically, the most effective leaders who have helped build the best things about America would not have a prayer of winning the presidency today given the easily-manipulated, "ignorance is bliss" electorate in this staged, sound bite world.
What is a Christian to do? It is not as hard as it seems. We have an allegiance to Jesus and His Kingdom and everything else must be subordinate. I am not concerned with Republican or Democrat or right or left; I am concerned with right and wrong. To establish the boundaries of what is right and what is not, we must identify God as the ultimate determiner of standards and consider His Word our singular reference point.
I do not like Donald Trump. I do not like Hilary Clinton. However, this is not a popularity contest. If I had to pick someone with whom I like and primarily agree, I would pick Ben Carson. If I had to pick a party that reflects my values and beliefs, my choice would be the Constitution Party. Ben Carson is no longer in the race, and Darrell Castle, who is representing the Constitution Party, is not a contender. There are only two contenders: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
I do not like this situation any more than many voting Christians do. I am also a grown up, and, as a result, I understand I do not get everything I want. So, what are we to do? We could “vote our conscience"...stay home...send some altruistic message by voting for a non-contender. However, the realistic truth is that the next president will be Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump. We could stay out of the choice between those two and, then, if it all goes awry, we can proudly say, “Well it’s not my fault. I didn’t vote for them.”
I want to suggest that you take some cues from Jesus. He told a parable recorded in Luke 16 I think is very appropriate in this matter.
Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.
This parable has caused much consternation for Christians over the years. It does not seem to fit what we think Jesus wants us to do. Here, however, Jesus tells his followers to use worldly opportunities wisely to achieve our ultimate desires. As his followers, our desires are aligned with his. Jesus points out that the world acts shrewdly to get what it desires while Christians often forfeit those desires while vainly standing on a pedestal of morality. Jesus is calling for us to be practical when seeking righteousness.
It is easy to dismiss a candidate because he is flawed. It is easy to stand on the moral high ground and high horse and vow to never vote for them and stay home or vote for a non-contender. Where is the wisdom (shrewdness) in that? In a race that is in a statistical tie between the contenders, our choices will contribute in one way or another to its outcome.
In considering the two contenders, Christians must measure their policies on issues by the standard God has for them. As every election has proven, the results have consequences that last well beyond a presidential term. We are not merely to vote in a way that we think will improve our own pocketbook but in a way that promotes the general welfare and righteousness of the country.
I am not just a one or two issue voter, but the issues that concern me most are those of life and death and marriage and family. You have one of the contenders who says he believes in the sanctity of all innocent life, legalized murder is an abomination, and he plans to do something about it. He follows through by naming judges he would consider for the Supreme Court to protect such values. He also believes in a righteous definition of marriage and pledges not do anything on the Federal level that would compel states to compromise on that issue. Has he always believed these things? No. Will he follow through? I don’t know.
What I do know is that the alternative is a candidate that promises she will ensure women “have access to safe and legal abortions” up to the time of birth. Furthermore, she will use the tax dollars of every American to fund her infanticide. As for marriage and the family, under her leadership, America’s already struggling families will be dealt a decisive blow. Hillary says “I'll fight to ensure lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans have full equality under the law” (Jan.16). Further, she says that what was done already by the Supreme Court to marriage is not enough. She will “fight” against any conversion therapy to help those struggling with sexual sins and “protect” those who seek to further confuse the God-ordained sexual identity of male and female.
I am not a rich man by worldly standards, but I am blessed beyond measure. I have several family members who are unemployed, underemployed, and on minimum wage. I believe in stewardship and accountability, as Jesus does, but I am not primarily concerned with entitlements, unions, benefits, or the minimum wage. If I die poor, I will still receive my heavenly inheritance; if our country becomes more morally bankrupt, millions will go to Hell. This is something I cannot promote in any way.
Before you vote, think! Think shrewdly. Think wisely. Think righteously. Vote accordingly.
Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. Psalm 24:3-4
