Should politics be shared from the pulpit? A recent research study from Lifeway showed that most pastors and churches believe they should not. The reasoning is not that the Bible does not address political issues. In fact, the statement “Jesus is Lord” was quite political under a Roman government whom said the same of Caesar. Nor is it because Pastor’s lack opinions on the subjects.

People today are constantly hearing multiple messages and varied voices in a 24/7 news cycle. Yet, there are few opportunities to hear a word from God and respond to His gospel.  Churches and pastors must keep the gospel as “first importance” (1Corinthians 15:3). Otherwise, when everything is important nothing becomes important.

Yet, the call of  Christians today is to let their heavenly citizenship inform their earthly citizenship (Philippians 3:20). We are “sojourners” and “exiles” (1Peter 2:11) commanded to maintain honorable lives before every human institution. This includes respecting governing authorities (1Peter 2:13; Romans 13:7) and being part of the process that installs these

individuals. In the case of the November 6, 2012 election day, it requires what I call VIP Voting. VIP stands for: Vote In Principle.

In other words, those whom name Jesus as Lord must vote according to the values and principles of God’s ways and words. The Scriptures not only address a constellation of moral issues but also topics such as leadership, wisdom and care for people. So, a believer who votes could simply divide a sheet of paper into 3 categories: 1. Candidates 2. Issue (ex: issues of life, marriage, economics, etc.) and 3. Biblical View. The believer’s vote should  lead to the candidate whose views line most closely to the values of Scripture. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke to this both personally and painfully, “While it may be true that morality cannot be legislated, behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart but it can restrain the heartless. It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important also.”

You may find this site helpful or in specific to MD voters this one. Attention should be given to at least 2 items:

1) Question 6 Civil Marriage Protection Act would be a historic redefinition of marriage and a great harm against families who value the Biblical understanding of marriage and family life.

2) Question 7 Gaming Expansion would continue to exploit individuals and families through the means of gambling under the pretext of education and job promotion.

In all, I am not promoting one candidate over another. However, as a pastor my role is to equip the saints with God’s truth and trust the Holy Spirit to give discernment in the believer’s life and decision making. Despite popular and unfortunate views, God is not a Republican. And indeed God is not a Democrat. We diminish and do danger to the gospel if we start equating Christianity with political parties. In fact it would seem that our country needs both the left wing and right wing in order to fly. But, the exhortation is for believers to exercise the privilege and stewardship of voting and to do so to the glory of God.

Praying that “we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Timothy 2:2-5)