WordExplain

 Applied Theology

by James T. Bartsch

"Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare."  Jeremiah 29:7




























For Whom Shall I Vote?

Let me begin by saying, that I am an exile. Though I am a natural born citizen of America, I have a much higher calling. My greatest citizenship is in heaven, from which I also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20). More specifically, my future home is New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:1-22:5). But until I die, I will be an American citizen. I am facing an upcoming election. For whom shall I vote?

Because the people of Israel had habitually forsaken God and His commandments, God shipped them off to Babylon with three deportations, one in 606, another in 597, and the last in 586 B.C. As this last group departed, God had a word for them through the prophet Jeremiah. The departing exiles were actively to seek the welfare of Babylon. And they were to pray for it. The reason? The welfare of Babylon was the welfare of the Jewish people exiled in it (Jer. 29:7).

So it is my belief that I have a clear example from Scripture to seek the welfare of the city and the nation in which I live as an exile. So I have an obligation to be proactive. I must pray, and I must vote. That is not an option. And I must vote for the candidates and the political parties that will promote the best welfare of the city and the country in which I live. So the welfare of America is also my welfare and the welfare of millions of other Christians who are in exile with me.

That leads me to vote in certain ways. Let me share with you for whom I will vote and for whom I will not vote on the eve of this general election of 2024. I will vote for the candidates and the platforms and policies that most clearly reflect Biblical values. Or to put it another way, what candidates will best promote the welfare of America based on Biblical values?

None of the candidates are perfect. We could argue that none of them are even ideal. So we have to make choices. I have often said in recent elections that my choice for president is the lesser of two evils. That probably can be said in this election. Nevertheless, I must vote. I must vote for someone, and that means I am voting against his or her opponent. What standards shall I use? These are mine. What are yours?

For Whom I Will Vote
 Against Whom I Will Vote
Someone who upholds the territorial integrity and borders of our country.
 Someone who allows and incentivizes illegal aliens to invade our country.
Someone who puts Americans first.
 Someone who takes money and property from American citizens and gives it to illegal aliens.
Someone who believes in and practices a free market.
 Someone who believes in and practices global socialism.
Someone who believes in our Constitution's Bill of Rights – which prohibits what the government can do to us.
 Someone who believes in "Affirmative Rights" – which stipulate what the government must do for us. "Redistributive Change" (coined by Barack Obama).
Someone who believes children are a gift from God; and that even unborn children must be protected. (Psalm 127:3)
 Someone who believes an unwanted baby is not a person and can be discarded at the whim of a narcissistic mother.
Someone who believes in only two genders. God created male and female. (Genesis 1:27)
 Someone who believes in gender fluidity – that a man can be a woman or a woman a man if he or she "feels that way;" and who takes the position that men who feel they are women should be allowed to play in women's sports.
Someone who believes that God created human sexuality as best functioning in marriage between a man and a woman, resulting in a "nuclear family."
 Someone who believes in and promotes homosexuality and lesbianism, and forces his or her views on the rest of society. (See Romans 1:18-32)
Someone who believes in law and order.
 Someone who believes and promotes the view that any aggrieved party on the political left has the right to riot, burn buildings, and loot valuables without significant restraint or consequences.
Someone who is willing to be a staunch ally of Israel. (Genesis 12:1-3)
 Someone whose party burns American flags and waves Palestinian flags.

(Scripture quotation taken from the NASB.)

 

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Posted October 31, 2024