Is it about Left and Right?

"May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth."  ~ Psalm 67:4

In late October 1964 Ronald Reagan gave a speech in support of Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign entitled "A Time for Choosing."  

Here is a small part of it:

"You and I have a rendezvous with death, if nothing in life is worth dying for. Or when did this begin? Just in the face of this enemy? Or should Moses have told the children of Israel to live in slavery under the Pharaohs. Should Christ have refused the cross? Should the Patriots at Concord bridge have thrown down their guns and refused to fire the shots around the world.  You and I are told, increasingly, we have to choose between a left or right. 

Well, I'd like to suggest there is no such thing as a left or right. There's only an up or down."

He's saying there are fundamental principles and values worth standing up for, and that these values transcend political labels like left or right.

I'd like to suggest that 'up' represents choices of freedom, righteousness and alignment with God's will.  

'Down' would then be falling deeper into sin and unrighteousness.  It is oppression and distance from God’s will.  

And let us be clear that a nation can and does chart a course that either aligns with God's will or does not.  

There are lukewarm 'Christian' nations.  

Pray that America will not be a lukewarm Christian nation.  Pray that every nation be salt and light to the other nations.   

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people."  ~ Proverbs 14:34 

Election Sermon

                     Election Sermon

The following are notes taken from an excellent sermon by Pastor Gary Hamrick of the Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, VA on September 8, 2024.

I encourage any of you to view the sermon on Youtube.  I begins about 24 minutes in. https://www.youtube.com/live/yVI9VZ0Dv20?si=iYWV8QMf5S7JW9nA

Notes:

In the time of the founding Fathers, pastors would speak to the issues of the day by giving election sermons.

These helped people understand their world through the lens of Scripture. 

Some people wonder if it is right for the Church to speak about politics.  They say, "What about Separation of Church and State?" 

The church and state separation concept comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson answering freedom of religion concerns by a Baptist group in Connecticut.  

He used the phrase "wall of separation between Church and State" in his letter.  His intention was to calm the fears of that Baptist association by noting the first Amendment meant the government should stay out of the business of the church, not the church out of the business of government.

That concept has been bastardized to remove God from the public square and to remove church from government influence. Adding insult to injury came the  Johnson Amendment in the 1950's.  It threatens Church's 501(c)3 tax exempt status if they engage in prohibited political activity.  There's plenty Church's can legally do under the Johnson amendment, but the chilling effect of it prompts pastors to self-censor.  That means that they're bowing to the government and not God.

Addressing cultural issues is a legitimate function of the Church.  It should be done, and it should be done based on biblical truth. It isn't being 'political.'  It's being biblical if done right.

God had the first word on:  life, national borders, immigration, economic prosperity, biological sex, marriage and parental authority.

Those who wish to silence the church levy the term "Christian Nationalism" to blunt and intimidate the Church into silence.  Let it be known we will not be a theocracy until the New Jerusalem arrives. We Christians can change America because we love God and country. Psalm 33:12: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

The Watchmen sounding the trumpet is a responsibility (Ezekiel 33:1-5) 

Jesus has charged us as his ambassadors to be salt and light. That light portion is really a First Amendment charge. And we must, in that case, be politically engaged.

Engagement means advocating for policies that promote righteousness. Voting for candidates that most closely represent our values and praying for them and holding them accountable.

And even occasionally maybe running for office ourselves if we are called.

What will fill the political vacuum if we don't engage?

Good government cannot save us. But bad government can destroy us.

What can we do to advance the Kingdom of God for the glory of God and to stem the tide of evil in our land until Jesus comes?

All the prophets spoke truth to power, confronted kings and influenced laws, and spoke to the social conscience of their time. For example, John the Baptist addressed moral issues of his day. Jesus spoke on taxes. No aspect of society is beyond the churches intended influence.

The difference between the ancient world and the world here in the United States today is that we have a vote. We have a collective say in who we'd like to represent us.

And what is that current state that we're in?

Well, we have runaway inflation which is crushing the people. We have open borders threatening national security. We have abortion touted as reproductive health. We have gender bending, government overreach, polarization, politicization of the justice system, censorship, an assault on religious liberties, and antisemitism on college campuses, to name just a few.

Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice;
But when a wicked man rules, the people groan."

Every election comes to a choice of the lesser of two evils, because there are none who are righteous. Elections are not pure, but necessary.

What are the means to advance the Kingdom of God?

I. God uses flawed, sinful people. 

There are no perfect candidates. Jesus is not on the ballot. Get over it.

II. Vote Policies over Personalities.

  III.  Voting is not just a right, It's a Duty

A nation will not thrive because of the righteousness of the leader, but because of the Leader governs with righteousness.

Personalities will come and go, but policies live long after them. What other decision do we make in life where something meets 100% of our criteria? Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people."  Every candidate is a flawed human being.

The Bible shows us there were righteous Kings who did unrighteous things.  And there were unrighteous Kings who did righteous things. And God used them both to accomplish his ends. Remember Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus were both flagrant pagans, and God used them to bring good things about for his Divine purposes.

Which would you rather have: An Orangeman bully who sends out mean tweets, but puts three Supreme Court justices on the court that strike down Roe v. Wade, or a joyful hen that believes in killing babies even up to the 9th month?

Luke 18:19  So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.

Important Issues to Weigh  

1.     Judges

Trump appointed 226 Federal judges and 54 Appeals court judges (both on a record pace) in one term.  Not to mention the 3 Supreme Court justices he appointed ended Roe v Wade

 

Isaiah 1:26  "I will restore your judges as at the first, And your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

 

Righteousness of the land is based on part on the judges in the land. 

 

Which candidate will appoint the best judges and justices?   

 

2.     Border Security   

Acts 17:26 “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings." 

 

There were even boundaries for each tribe within the nation of Israel. Since God is in favor of national boundaries we should protect our national boundaries.

 

At the same time, God is favorable to the alien.  

 

 Zechariah 7:10 "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor."

 

When it comes to the alien, there is a right and legal way for them to come into our country.  Over 20 million have come illegally and for what reason?  To expand a future voting bloc at the expense of our national security.

 

Which candidate will secure our border and protect us? 

 

 3.     Israel  - Genesis 12:3 (speaking about the Promise to Israel) "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

 

It was disgraceful that Kamala Harris didn't sit in her chair as president of the Senate for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech before Congress. 

 

Which candidate will favor Israel?  

 

4.     Religious Liberty                                                                                               

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me."

 

This is the conscience clause of the law. I should not be forced to violate my primary allegiance to God. Doctors should not be forced to provide abortions over religious grounds.  The same for Cake Bakers and others in peril of losing their jobs if they don't take a vaccination.

 

Which candidate will protect our religious liberty? 

 

5.     Biological Sex.  

 

Genesis 1:27 "So God created man in His own image;in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." 

 

God assigns biological sex in the womb. We don't get to decide if we want to be a different gender and to support, to legitimize or to celebrate that is contributing to mental illness instead of helping people to realize the beautiful design of God just as they are.

Booker T. Washington said, "A lie doesn't become truth, wrong doesn't                       become right and evil doesn't become good just because it's accepted by a                    majority." 

14 states have what are called Transgender Healthcare Shield laws.  Governor Tim Walz made Minnesota one of those states.  Going further passing a law in Minnesota making it a 'Trans refuge state.'  In those with such a law the state government can take your child away from you if you object to them transitioning.

This gender bending has led to biological boys competing against girls in sports. Using girls restrooms and denying girls the fundamental protection and the Title Nine rights that they deserve.

Which candidate will best protect God's design of biological sex?

 6.     Family. Psalm 127:3 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
       The fruit of the womb is a reward."

Parental rights are being incrementally stripped. They are going after your children. Our children deserve our protection and do not belong to the state.  They belong to God and are entrusted to us as parents.

Which candidate will best protect parental rights?

7.     Life - Acts 3:15  God is "the called author of life."

 Proverbs 6:17 God "hates hands that shed innocent blood."

Which candidate will best protect life? 

Right now, we do not have a pro-life candidate running for President. Trump has moved to the middle since 2020. He's moved to endorsing a 15 week ban on abortion. Not so fun fact, 95% of abortions happen in the 1st 15 weeks (according to the CDC). That means Trump is OK with killing 95% of babies. The GOP today has pretty much become what the Democratic party was 30 years ago on this issue. 

But the Democrats have gone even further left on abortion.  So much so that at their convention recently they had a free mobile abortion clinic.  They believe abortion should be legal even up to the moment of delivery. They call this 'reproductive rights.'

Seth Gruber quote. “Those who murder the unborn cannot be trusted to govern the born.”

  III.  Voting is not just a right, it's a duty.  

    Luke 12:48 In the Parable of the Servants. Jesus said, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required." 

     God gave us a great privilege of living in the US. This is a sacred trust where freedom isn't free. We must cherish what God has entrusted to us.  We have been entrusted a beautiful country that must not be turned over to an evil agenda.  We may not be silent and refrain from voting. If we do, we are allowing evil to triumph.

Christian William Wilberforce was used by God to end slavery in Great Britain.  He said, "Let it not be said I was silent when they needed me.”

Voting Demographics and the Evangelical

There are 90 million. Self-identified evangelicals in America old enough to vote. 40 million don't vote. 15 million are not even registered to vote. That's 55 million evangelicals that are sitting it out.

Frederick Douglass said, “I will unite with anyone to do right and no one to do wrong.”

In the 1940's Hitler gathered all the prominent clergy in Germany and spoke to them.  brought the pastors together and spoke to them promising security to them.  One of them, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, went up to Hitler and said, "We are not concerned about the church for Jesus Christ will take care of her.  What we are concerned about is the soul of Germany.  To which Hitler responded, "Herr Bonhoffer, you do not need to worry, I will take care of the soul of Germany."

Well, let us understand, people, that government is never the answer to the soul of a nation..

Apologetic for Problem of Evil leading to No Belief in Existence of God

 Apologetic for Problem of Evil leading to No Belief in Existence of God

Atheist:  "I don't believe in God because there's so much suffering in the world."
Apologist:  Well let's go with your thought, so God doesn't exist. Is there still suffering in the world?

Atheist:  "Yes."

Apologist:  "So who's responsible for suffering now?"
Atheist:  "We are."

Apologist:  "Now if we're responsible for the suffering, and there's no God, is it possible there is a God and he's really upset about the moral evil leading to such suffering?  We weren't originally designed for sinning you know."

In fact, humans are the only earthly beings that can behave beneath their created purpose.  

You will never see a beaver create a bridge, he will only create a dam. Silkworms will only create create silk, never cotton.  

Humans are the only earthly species that can subvert their purpose.  

Love Your Neighbor by Voting Biblically

 

Love Your Neighbor by Voting Biblically

How Politics Are a Way To Love Our Neighbor:

The thing about living in a representative republic like America is that its citizens have a Biblical responsibility for governance.  Notice I did not say politics, for that is merely the means, not the end in the civic sphere.  Above that is of course the Kingdom of God, but I get ahead of myself. 

Governance is a stewardship function of the Christian life that is one way we love our neighbors. It’s a stewarding responsibility aimed at the good of our neighbors.

Let’s examine two questions:

What does it mean to Love our Neighbor?

What is “the good” of our Neighbors?

The Greatest Commandments

Jesus taught the greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.  And the second is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. 

And what is it to love our Neighbor?

Loving our neighbor is to seek the good for him.  It is not a feeling, though we have those.  It is doing what is good for our neighbor.  James pointed this distinction out, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what [does it] profit?”

What is “the good” of our Neighbors?

Good and Ultimate Good

There are many ‘goods’ for our neighbor, and one ultimate good.  As Jesus is praying to the Father in John 17:3, he says, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.”

That is the ultimate good.  We serve that good when we disciple the nations.  That’s part of our Christian sphere of responsibility.

General goods involve the well-being and welfare of our neighbors in a civic sphere.  What those smaller goods are amounts to ordering the different levels of governance to be in alignment with biblical life principles in our personal, family and civic lives.

In the civic sphere that means our involvement – at the very least – with governance.  And one of the most important roles there is as a voter. 

A very sad statistic is that nearly 40% of Christians did not vote in the last presidential election. 

Does a voter impose his morality on others? 

Of course!  All legislation is morality.  All laws seek some good, or the avoidance of evil.  Scratch a law of speed limits and you find the good of protecting lives.  Examine laws against fraud and you see the 8^th (stealing) and 9^th (false testimony) commandments played out. 

Ok, so we must vote, but for who?

This is where the rubber hits the road my Christian brothers and sisters.  We must be like  the men of Berea, described in Acts.  They had noble character, and received the gospel with eagerness and examined the scriptures to verify the truth of what was being taught.

Likewise, we must be thoughtful, discerning listeners of political rhetoric and operations of government.  We must heavily lean on God’s word and apply it to the civic sphere. 

What we can’t do is separate ourselves from the public square. For Christians to abandon governance is to abandon our neighbors to those would use our laws to rule us with bad intentions, or at the very least with incompetence.  And that’s not loving ourselves, or our neighbors. We can’t be neutral on a moving train. 

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil.
Not to speak is to speak.
Not to act is to act.
God will not hold us guiltless.”     ~ Bonhoffer