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Morality Matters

Elections have become “less about politics and personalities and more of a ferocious battle over whose worldview will define a nation.” Tony Perkins recently said that in an article, and his comment made me reflect on how elections have changed. When I first voted forty-four years ago, the people on the ballot were primary, and their character mattered.

Through the years, the people on the ballot still mattered, but the platform represented became more of the focus as I cast my vote. Although the candidates were important, it seemed like a party’s platform had more weight in determining the direction of our nation.

Now, personalities still get our attention, and the character of a candidate still matters, but a party’s platform has morphed into more of an issue of worldview. A party or candidate’s worldview is what’s on the ballot, and the line dividing the worldview on this year’s ballot is dark and distinctive.

Sometimes, we’re nervous about discussing politics, and we must use wisdom in the conversation, but many of the issues being considered in this year’s “worldview election” were spiritual and biblical in nature long before they were political. I’d like to share a few thoughts we should consider as we move toward election day, consider our voting choices, and engage believers and unbelievers in political conversation.

  1. We are Christians before we are Americans. I bleed red, white, and blue, but my first loyalty is to Jesus Christ. My home is in heaven, so my loyalties are first to a Kingdom that is not of this world. Therefore, God’s truth is my priority, and God’s Word informs my actions, my opinions, my relationships, and my vote. We must carefully evaluate the worldviews represented on the ballot and compare them to a biblical worldview. Vote for the people who best represent a worldview that honors God.
  2. We should demonstrate God’s love and grace in everything we do (and say). A political season is filled with opportunities to either advance the gospel or push people away from God’s Kingdom. How we engage people in conversation in person and online will do much to till the soil of their hearts for the germination of the gospel seed or to build a rock-hard resistance to a Christian witness. Speak truth, but do it in love.
  3. Righteousness exalts a nation. Proverbs 14:34 should be plastered on our hearts as we consider which candidates will best help us become a nation God can bless. Economic stability is important, and a secure border is a priority, but morality matters, and a righteous nation is a nation God can bless.

Talking about politics is tricky, and something we often choose to avoid, but Christians are told to be salt and light. God intends for us to influence people. The way we vote and the conversations we have can be useful in pointing people to God’s life-changing truth.

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