March 1996
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Winter is drawing to a close, spring is just
around the corner, and the thoughts of many are
turning to ... POLITICS?!?! Yes, it's true. The
airwaves are filled with the speeches of men
convinced that they are the only ones able to rescue America from itself. "Vote for me, and I will make
your world a better place. I promise you money in your pocket, the job of your choice, security on your streets and the guarantee that you will live happily everafter." With so many choices, yet so little substance, what is the Believer to do?
There are two answers to that question. First, when it does come time to cast your vote in a primary, or a general election, don't vote your pocketbook, or your party, or any other of the hundreds of feeble reasons that people give for explaining their voting choices. Instead, vote the Bible. In other words, while there is no candidate that I am aware of that a fundamental Baptist can agree with totally, find those candidates which take Biblical positions on the majority of issues, and vote for them. The Bible contains principles of economics, education, and morality. Learn these principles, and use them as your guide in casting your ballot. The Scriptures teach us to "seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness", and then let God take care of our needs. They also teach us to "do all to the glory of God". Can we honestly glorify God if we cast our vote for an individual whose political and philosophical bent is contrary to Scripture? I think not.
The second answer is perhaps even more important. During election time, resgardless of who the candidates may be, the Christian is to be busy serving God. Please remember that politicians do not bring revival.
Some of them may be men of high morality, but morality and Christianity
are not the same thing. Hell is undoubtedly full of moral people. This is because morality, or the absence thereof, is not the determiner of our eternal destiny. Thus, Christians must be busy fulfilling the Great Commission. We must be evangelizing those around us, and discipling those who have been redeemed. God's institution for reaching the world in this age is neither the White House, nor the Congress, but is rather the local church, and we must be faithful to it, and to its Head, Jesus Christ.
So, watch the primaries, and be sure to vote. But don't rejoice too much if your candidate wins, or be too discouraged if he does not. God is still on the throne, and He has a job for us to do. May we who know the Lord "be about our Father's business", and serve Him faithfully until Jesus comes.
Mark J. Montgomery
Your Pastor
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