Here We Go Again
With the Presidential primaries quickly drawing to some sort of a conclusion, I must confess that this year has, in many respects, been quite different than any I can remember.
Some of you may very well be thinking, “Here we go again!” Having completed the divinely promised three score years, I have lived through the Presidency of Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush (George H.W.), Clinton, and Bush (George W), though I scarce remember the policies, practices, or popularity of the first two. Good Presidents have come and gone, and bad Presidents have been endured by the people who anxiously look forward to that time when their voice can be heard in the voting booth once again.
I have had the privilege of voting in every Presidential election since Lyndon Johnson. If my calculations are correct, I have, in my forty some years as a part of the electorate of this country, been exposed to more than 3,000 political ads over the years, and pulled the lever to cast my vote, some ten times. So, I feel that what I am about to say is at least worthy of some consideration by those of you who will be voting in this year’s upcoming election as we select yet another man (or woman, as the case may be) to serve in the capacity of President of these United States.
May I suggest that you take into consideration the following thoughts as you walk into that booth and cast your vote for who will fill the most important office in our troubled world.
First, the Christian takes into that voting booth something that others simply do not possess: the principles of truth and righteousness set forth in the Bible. The Psalmist said that the word of God is his “light” and “lamp” (Psa. 119:105). When the child of God steps into that voting booth, he uses that light to roll back the curtain that might otherwise hide the truth about the candidate’s policies and promises that are so often overlooked on the campaign trail. Every promise that each candidate made, every policy to which he holds, is measured in the light of God’s word; not the emotions of the heart. Second, when the child of God enters that booth he takes with him the realization that he will answer to God as to the choice he makes.
Since the time we were small children we have been reminded again and again that every single American plays a vital role in governmental affairs. This is a government of the people. Hence, every American has an influence on who sits behind that desk in the Oval Office. Since our vote plays a part in who fills the office of President, then it behooves us to vote with the realization that God is watching over our shoulder when we pull that lever or punch that card. Were Christ to stand beside you as you cast your vote this coming November, how would YOU vote? If we are instrumental in putting an ungodly man into office, then we will answer to God for the part we played in the process. Finally, each party and candidate should be measured in the light of what God’s word teaches.
For a moment, let us simply ignore party names. Instead let us simply call them party “a” and party “b.” It is an undeniable truth supported by public proclamation, and party dogma, that one of these parties supports homosexuality as a way of life, abortion on demand, and has supported such liberal and immoral organizations as the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and the National Gay and Lesbian organization. The other party opposes abortion (at least for now), believes in the Biblical design for the home and the sanctity of marriage, and seeks to maintain the moral and ethical values of the founders of this country. When you step into that booth, the child of God will not in any way, form or fashion, pull that lever in favor of a candidate or party that opposes all that is holy and godly.
I’ll close with a few observations and leave this “political ad” with you in hopes that it will make each of us do some sobering and serious reflection on the responsibility we have to do what is right. First, just because a candidate “looks Presidential” (what ever that might mean), do not be taken in by their fair speech and smooth words. Political wolves are as dangerous as religious wolves, and their modus operandi is precisely the same. All too often the innocent and beguiled fall prey to the vicious attack of the wolf because they failed to realize that the wolf looked friendly but in fact was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Second, take the time to be informed. You have six months to become aware of where each candidate stands on fundamental issues. If the only difference between the candidates was political, whether or not we should have national health care, or whether or not we should bring the troops home, then likely this article would never have been written.
It is precisely because of the vast difference in the candidates on moral issues that I encourage you to take the time to become informed. You need to know that two candidates oppose the “defense of marriage act,” two candidates support homosexual rights, and two candidates support abortion.
These are moral issues, and both candidates continue to battle for their party’s nomination. In my estimation, there is not one whit of difference between either of those candidates’ positions on moral issues and which ever one is finally nominated will represent that party’s position on these moral issues – positions that are without doubt ungodly and unholy.
Third, do not be swayed by the likeability of a candidate. It makes little difference how “likable” a leader is if he leads us in the wrong direction and takes our country down the path to moral degradation. The late Clarence Darrow once said, “When I was a boy I was told that anybody could become President; I'm beginning to believe it.”
If the unholy and ungodly element in our society manage to take control of the major branches of our government, then the words of Clarence Darrow take on a whole new meaning. As you consider the “pool” of Presidential possibilities, keep these thoughts in mind. Keep in mind that this year’s election is a crucial point in our history as a nation. Please, don’t approach this year’s election with the ho-hum attitude of, “Here we go again.”
By Tom Wacaster, By permission. Thank you, Tom.
