“How Should I Vote?”

INTRODUCTION.

I am not hear today to tell you who to vote for.

you have to make that decision yourself.

I can tell you that it is not about Republican, Democrat, Green, or Libertarian party. (this is all division)

We should vote of conscience based on Biblical principles from the Word of God.

Old Testament tells us that God’s plan for God’s chosen people was for Him to be their leader. But Israel wanted an earthly king, so that they could be like the rest of the world. Because Israel chose and wanted this God gave them over to their desires.

God did tell Israel that they would suffer under the hand of the earthly king, ruler.

1 Samuel 8:18–20 NASB95

18 “Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.” 19 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

Does it matter if I vote as a Christian?

MESSAGE.

I. What are Christians commanded to with government?

Romans 13:1–7 NASB95

1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

1. Christians are commanded to place theirselves under the authority of the government.

The Greek word, which is the phrase “be in subjection” is a command.

This word is also expressing the idea that we are to put ourselves in subjection, willing to submit to orders.

2. All authority is established by God.

How is then that we have people in places of leadership that are against God and His principles?

we live in a fallen world - a world riddled with sin.

we live in a world that is under the rule of Satin.

1 John 5:19 “19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”

Ephesians 2:1–2 “1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 “4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

3. Resisting the government is opposing the ordinance of God.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 NASB95

1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

II. What does God have to say about certain main topics?

There are many major topic concerning this years election from — our economy, health care, immigration.

I want to look at three major things that a candidate takes a stand on or represents.

1. Marriage.

Genesis 2:24 NASB95

24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.

One man - one woman.

For life.

2. Abortion.

Louisiana Depart of Health article on WOMEN’S RIGHT TO KNOW: What is Abortion? = “Abortion” or “induced abortion” means the act of using or prescribing any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the intent to terminate the clinically diagnosable pregnancy of a woman with knowledge that the termination by those means will, with reasonable likelihood, cause the death of the unborn child.” LA Department of Health. (https://ldh.la.gov/page/abortion-facts) October 31, 2024.

Taking a life.

definition of abortion according to the LA department of health is to “cause the death of the unborn child”.

My question is how can you kill something that is not alive?

if you are going to cause the death of something it must be alive to start with.

God does not create junk to just be discarded.

Genesis 1:27 NASB95

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

God does not make mistakes.

Psalm 139:13–16 NASB95

13 For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. 14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; 16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.

3. Gender.

1. Confusion in and government.

Genesis 1:27 NASB95

27 God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Matthew 19:4 NASB95

4 And He answered and said, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female,

Mark 10:6 NASB95

6 “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.

Cleveland Clinc - Cleveland Ohio.

> People who are male have XY chromosomes. People who are females have XX chromosomes. (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16324-intersex — October 28, 2024).

MedlinePlus.gov

> Chromosomes are structures found in the center (nucleus) of cells that carry long pieces of DNA. DNA is the material that holds genes. It is the building block of the human body.

> Chromosomes also contain proteins that help DNA exist in the proper form.

Information

— Chromosomes come in pairs. Normally, each cell in the human body has 23 pairs of chromosomes (46 total chromosomes). Half come from the mother; the other half come from the father.

Two of the chromosomes (the X and the Y chromosome) are called sex chromosomes, and in almost all people:

Females have 2 X chromosomes.

Males have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome.

At conception, the mother gives an X chromosome to the child, and the father may contribute an X or a Y. The chromosome from the father determines if the baby is female or male. (https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002327. — November 1, 2024).

III. What should I do in light of this information?

1. Pray for Wisdom and Discernment.

James 1:5 “5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Wisdom is a deep understanding or knowledge of something.

Discernment is the ability to determine the value and quality of a something.

1 Kings 3:9 “9 “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?””

2. Judge their fruit against God’s standards.

Many say the Bible tells us not judge others.

This is correct in one aspect.

We are not the judge of their salvation or eternal destiny.

But the Bible does tell us to know people by their fruit or things they do or represent.

Matthew 7:15–16 NASB95

15 “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?

3. Pray.

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:15–18 “15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Pray for those in leadership.

1 Timothy 2:1–4 “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

CONCLUSION.