Vote = Voice

It is my conviction that Americans should exercise their right to vote. And it is especially my conviction that American Christians should vote for the candidate whom will most uphold the biblical values of our nation.

Why?

• Because voting is a patriotic privilege—and as such, a responsibility. Can you imagine how Christians in the first century would have responded to the opportunity to choose their national leaders? I believe that, given the choice, they definitely would have chosen leaders who would extend religious freedom and protect life. Paul himself exercised what privileges citizenship offered when he could. (See Acts 22:25–29, 25:11.)
• Because we are to be salt and light in our spheres of influence. Although Jesus spoke primarily to our testimony and witness in reference to salt and light (Matthew 5:13–14), I believe this applies to any area in which we have influence. As Americans, we each have one vote, and we should use that vote toward preserving our nation—including the freedoms that give us liberty to extend the light of the Gospel.
• Because your vote is your voice, and when you have a voice, you should use it. Our primary message is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:23)! But that doesn’t negate our responsibility to lend our voice to the support of someone who will at least use his authority to help, rather than hinder, the cause of truth. One candidate in every election (presidential, congressional, etc.) is going to win, and I would like to see the candidate win who most supports biblical values and religious freedom.

Below are guidelines for Christian voters to follow as they seek to elect the candidates who most closely reflect scriptural values. These qualifications below apply not only to the presidential election, but to candidates on every level—federal, state, and county. Who should Christians vote for?

• The candidate who most supports life—Every unborn child is a person. (See Jeremiah 1:5, Psalm 139:13–16, and Luke 1:41.) Unfortunately for these youngest in our society, they are people without voices. As Christians, it is our responsibility to speak up for the poor and needy whose voice cannot be heard. (See Proverbs 31:8–9.)
• The candidate who most supports the biblical family—From creation, God built the home as the foundation of society. (See Genesis 1:27, 2:24; Ephesians 5:22–25, 6:1). Any politician who attempts to redefine the biblical foundation of a home and marriage is, in fact, chipping away at the bedrock of society.
• The candidate who most supports Israel—Besides the fact that Israel is our closest ally in a turbulent Middle East, she is also a special nation. God promised to bless those who bless her and to curse those who harm her. (See Genesis 12:3.) If our nation ever needed God’s blessing, it’s now. Slacking support for Israel is wrong on so many levels.

From www.paulchappell.com