Thanks for sharing this article.  It was truly thought provoking..... Most recently I have had many discussions concerning the upcoming election with many people .  I've never once told anyone who to vote for; however, my response have been to vote GOD.......

 

Blessings to you and yours,

D

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Dear Bode,

A copy of your article was forwarded to me by a friend of mine in the Washington, DC area.  I could not help but respond.  You state in your article "...the Church ought to take responsibility for its failure!  The Church ought to stand up and take its place in the society.  The Church is the only vehicle God has in the earth to effectively make a change."  I totally agree that the Body of Christ has failed in taking its place in society and one of those places is in the political arena.  We have failed by either not voting at all against political candidates who have not stood for the things of God or we have voted for a party instead of prayerfully asking God for whom we should vote.  

 We have voted trusted in a man to do something for us, put money in our pockets, etc., instead of listening to the issues with a spiritual ear and praying about what they stand for.  However, there are times that we can blame government for the corrupt state of society.  For instance, when a majority of people stand up and rule against gay marriage, abortion, etc., and one judge decides to overrule it.  Can we blame the church for that?  I think not. 

Do you think Christians that are suffering persecution in some of these foreign countries are being persecuted because they are not standing up for Christ and the things of God?  I think not.  I do agree that many problems that ail society have crept into the church because many Christians are not being the salt that they are supposed to be in this world, but I do not believe that society is a reflection of the church -- not The Church that is built on the Rock Christ Jesus. 

It never has been, since the time of Noah who was saved by God out of the corruption of the world, to the early churches who were persecuted and scattered abroad because of their stand for Christ, and it will never be.  Since Romans 13 tells us that God has ordained government in the earth and that we are to be subject to the government, it is foolish for us not to participate in electing candidates who at least have some semblance of standing for what God stands for, if indeed we are believers in Christ.  

Also, since God has ordained government, I would think that He is very interested in who serves in political office.  And, I'm sorry to say, but I would also have to doubt one's conviction about Christ who would support someone who is openly against the things that are against Scripture -- I would even have to examine my own heart.   

Since we do have a responsibility to vote, I don't think I would vote for such a person, and I believe God would honor that.  Remember, that everything we do should be as unto the Lord.  Whether Bush is what he says he is or not, if a child of God can vote for someone who openly supports that which is against Scripture, something is terribly wrong.  And that is what I believe affects society.  For Galatians 6:7-8 states "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.  For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption: but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."    

You state at the end of your article, "So, if you choose to elect Bush or Kerry next Tuesday, let it be because of your conscience and conviction, and not because of some rhetoric."  Evidently, the conviction of "these Evangelicals" as you call them, is that Bush is the best man to be President at this time (since they speak so passionately about them), and not rhetoric.  So what's your beef if you feel so confident about your choice, which from the tone of your article is very obvious to me?

Unsigned

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