Bible Says
Notes
Transcript
34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.
As we are nearing the time of voting, I was thinking of all the things we are seeing on television. The accusations, the promises, the mud slinging, the wild eyed ideas, all these things that honestly mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Now, today is not a political endorsement, nor is it geared towards one candidate or another, but instead it is to look at the major platforms and to weigh it against what the Bible says is proper in the eyes of God.
When looking at Proverbs 14:34, we are reminded that it is not Washington D.C., it is not politics, and it sure isn’t a politician that makes this nation great, it is righteousness that exalts a nation.
Exalt - raise up, lift up high.
Righteousness - what is right and pleasing to God.
By definition then, a nation is raised up, lifted on high when it does what is right and pleasing to God. So how…just how does the nation do what is right and pleasing to God? They must seek Him.
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
The POSB makes the quote “For the most part, politicians and rulers at every level of government—whether kings, governors, presidents, prime ministers, or officials—seek what will best prosper and exalt their nations. In the end, however, only one factor determines whether a nation rises or falls: righteousness. Nations that follow God’s standards—that are governed by His Holy Word—are great nations. Countries that embrace selfishness and sin over righteousness suffer disgrace and shame. World history repeatedly proves this to be true. The most obvious illustration is Israel. When Israel obeyed and followed God, she became the greatest nation on the face of the earth. But when she forsook God for idols and all manner of sins, she fell.”
Now, where do we find the United States of America? Are we seeking the favor of God, seeking His will, are we truly seeking what is best for our nation as seen by God. To do so means we must, as a nation, humble ourselves. Humbleness can be difficult as it means we must take our own wants and desires, our pride, and set them aside for what is acceptable and desirable to God. To do that, we must pray and seek God. That means we must have an active prayer life, to begin with. Not only an active prayer life, but one actively seeking God. Seeking God’s Will and direction for our life and our country. For us to be actively seeking God’s Will, though we must turn from our sins. Too often, we can allow sin to cloud our vision. We allow small sins to temper us until bigger sins do not seem so bad and as a result sin no longer looks like sin to us. Unfortunately, then we begin to try to introduce sinful thoughts or beliefs into our lives and even into our churches. It is not until we humble ourselves and turn from these wicked ways that God will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.
We are in desperate need for a healed land. So as we evaluate some of the platforms of importance, let us weigh them against the Word of God.
Life or Abortion
Life or Abortion
13 “You shall not murder.
What is the definition of murder? Willfully depriving another person of life, usually by physical force. Now, the first thing that is usually brought up is, this is the Old Testament and is no longer valid. There are views that differ on abortion - one that views it as willfully depriving the unborn of life, and others that say it is reproductive rights of the woman.
Eerdmans Bible Dictionary says killing, or murder, is the UNLAWFUL putting to death. Now, when we look at the laws of the land, we might say it is lawful to choose the option of abortion, is it lawful according to the commands of God? You shall not murder is pretty clear and when we look further at scripture, Acts 5:29
29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Now, one of the other considerations is how we approach those who think differently than we do on this subject. Jesus brings this to light our response to the decisions of others in Matthew 5
Matthew 5:21–23 (ESV)
21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
We should still show others the love of Christ, even if we do not agree with their position or opinion. We should be looking for the candidate who closest aligns with the sanctity of life.
Marriage and Family
Marriage and Family
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
Male, Female - this refers to the genetically biological assignment given to a person by God. Marriage was instituted by God “in the beginning”. If we look at creation, God created man and then saw that he was lonely, in need of a help meet, and then created woman from the rib of man. Throughout scripture we find the relationship in marriage being used as a parallel to the relationship with God and mankind. Maybe the reason we have such a skewed view of God now days is because of how skewed we view marriage.
Instead of a sacred union, we now view marriage as a disposable commodity. If we don’t like one another, don’t agree with the other, or just grow tired of the other person we go to the court and have the marriage “dissolved”, like it evaporates into thin air.
I view it this way, God views marriage as the union between two that is bonded together as one. If I were to take two planks of wood, and use the strongest glue I can find to affix them together, and let them set until dried, regardless how careful we are we will never be able to separate the two pieces without causing some damage to one or the other sides.
Furthermore, many have adopted the attitude that marriage will weigh them down and trying to be a family before marriage will give them a “trial run”, to see if they can get along or are compatible with each other. We have lost the sanctity of marriage. Yet we are told in Hebrews 13
4 Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.
God intends for marriage, and the family to be proper, pure, and aligned with His view. We should be looking for the candidate who closest aligns with support of marriage and the family.
Support of Israel
Support of Israel
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.
2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
God established the nation of Israel. Not only did He establish the nation, but He set it apart to be a great nation. Notice, the establishment of this great nation required obedience and commitment to God from one man - go to the land I will show you. Abraham was called by God to completely leave everything he knew as home and comfort, and go to a place he knew nothing about. Change his life, the way he lived, take everything with sentimental value and follow God.
What does this have to do with supporting Israel? We must sometimes take our own thoughts and opinions and again weigh them against God’s wants and desires for us. This includes having the faith to follow God by also supporting the nation of Israel. Notice what scripture says in verse 3 - I will bless those who bless you. God wanted others to see the difference of God’s set apart people, but He also expected His people to follow Him. We see time after time when His people would turn from Him and correction had to take place. However, the original intent of the covenant to His people still exists to this day. God would never leave His people even if His people left Him. But, we should be looking to the covenant of God and weigh it with the New Testament covenant given to all who believe on Him. This means to support and bless the nation of Israel. It doesn’t mean we are to supporting every policy of modern day Israel, but we are to support them overall.
To him to dishonors you I will curse - turning away from the support of Israel will bring dishonor and curse upon the people and the nation. Again, this does not mean we are to give a blanket approval of all Israel does, but it does mean we are to be sensitive to Israel and support them. If not, God says those who dishonor Israel will be cursed. God will remove His blessings on those who remove their blessings from Israel! We should be looking for the candidate who closest aligns with support of Israel.
First Amendment
First Amendment
3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,
4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.
We are told that those who are in positions of authority are placed there by God. But how should a Christian view this? Are we to separate ourselves as Christians from secular things such as voting? Or, I must also ask this question - does God use Christian votes to accomplish His will?
Are we to look at the first amendment as the separation of church and state, or the right to exercise religious freedom? Separating the church from the state (government) can be misinterpreted as separating the Christian from the things of the government. While the Old Testament gives us the picture of a theocracy - the nation ruled by God, the New Testament shows us that in a democracy or monarchy we are to honor those placed in positions of authority as servants of God. So, would it not make sense for a Christian to vote for those who closest align to God’s views and Will?
The very definition of separation of church and state could be challenged if the wrong candidates are put into places of authority. To take away the freedom of religion is to place all power and authority in human government, with its sinful rulers, to determine the eternal destiny of every soul. This is not the way God designed it to be, and is not the way the world or our nation could remain in His Will. We need candidates who will protect the church, protect the separation of governmental interference with religion and the church, and we should look for the candidate who closest aligns with the support of God’s Will as His servant.
Closing
Closing
17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of the Lord your God, and his testimonies and his statutes, which he has commanded you.
Life, Marriage and Family, Support of Israel, and Separation of Church and State. We are also reminded in Deuteronomy that we are to keep the commandments of God. As we approach this election season, we should be evaluating each candidate based on what God would desire from His servant in a place of office. Do they follow God’s values? Do they profess Christ as their Savior? Do they have a history of being sensitive to the church and the importance of keeping governmental interference at bay? Simply put, would God vote for the candidate?
In the end, we should vote who we think would most closely align with the values of God. However, we must not forget what we are told in Philippians:
20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
In the end, we must be looking at where our citizenship truly lies in the end. We should not allow politics or politicians to make us disassociate ourselves from our Christian values or witness. Go, vote who you think God would be pleased with, and let’s look at how we are to be God’s witness to a lost and dying world.
