To begin with, this is not the blog I originally prepared for this week. I will share it with you at another time. Yesterday as I worked on it and went through the things I do in a day, I read something. I read a lot yesterday but there was a post by a Pastor on X. It caught my eye because of what he was conveying. He stated that 49% of Christians will not vote in this election.
I am not going to quote numbers and statistical data in this blog. However, to make the point, let me address some data. A study by Dr. George Barna recently identified-
32 million self-identified Christians who regularly attend church won’t cast their ballots.
The point is simple. As a Christian many today do not vote and that is a problem. Now you ask “Pastor how is that a problem”? Well, I am glad you asked so let me give you some thoughts to ponder today.
The world in which we live and the country we abide in is regardless of our faith filled with sin. We are supposed to be salt and light. Jesus spoke about this very thing in Matthew 5:13-16
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
One of the many ways we do this is through voting. We cast our votes for the things and the people who will accomplish what is necessary for an orderly society. This will not always be easy and simple. You may not like how things go or even who wins but it is our responsibility to be involved in society.
In the blog of October 4, 2024 just a few weeks ago, I shared with you the need to vote as a Christian using a Biblically responsible perspective on the candidates and the ballot issues. This will cause a challenge for you as it might for others. The reason is that the candidates or the ballot issues may not allow for a let us say, dogmatic Biblically responsible choice. You may have to decide which is the better choice as opposed to the other. Someone might ask are you saying the lesser of two evils? Honestly, yes that is exactly what I am saying.
So why is it so important? If the world and the issues continue to spiral away from even a semblance of a Christian perspective, then there is no hope. These are the last days. We are closer now to the end than we were when this millennium began just 24 years ago. How much longer is the Lord going to wait before sending Jesus back? I don't know and neither do you. God knows and one day He will tell His Son to go get His bride. In the meantime, we have to live here and the question becomes how do we want to live?
You may have read or heard this recently from a pastor but here is a thought to ponder. I believe this as this is how I interpret Scripture as to the end times. Some might say this is my dispensational position. You might differ and that is fine but for the sake of this blog today think in this way. If Jesus comes back today for His bride the church the Great Tribulation begins and it will last 7 years. Then Christ returns and locks Satan away and Jesus establishes a 1,000 year reign. Satan is then released and a final battle seals Satan’s fate.
In the meantime though we all have to live on this earth. Each of us have civic responsibility to be engaged citizens, to pay our taxes and to obey the law. Jesus taught us and Paul reminded us to even pray for those in authority over us. So if I am to pray for them as a Christian, I definitely need to be voting for those who will be leading. As well, voting on the matters that effect society.
I want to continue to be free and enjoy this great nation and all it can offer. I want prosperity and safety for us and our family. I don't want there to be wars and conflict. I want to see the lives of unborn babies saved. I want to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness which is enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.
So as you read this blog today, there are four days until Election Day on November 5th. You may have already voted early in person. That is what we did last week. There is still time for you to do so depending on where you live. Check with your local Supervisor of Elections. You may have voted by mail or still be able to do so. You can always vote in person next Tuesday, November 5th.
There is no good reason not to vote. Christian or not you don't have a reason why you should not vote.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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