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Tomorrow is the big day. Many of you have already voted during the early voting period, but most Americans will vote tomorrow. There is much at stake, no doubt, as both of the major parties' candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, have vastly different approaches to how they will lead and what they stand for. Ashley and I voted two weeks ago and are glad that we did. What an honor to exercise this privilege and vote for the candidate of our choice. Many countries do not have this privilege. So, if you have not already, be sure to be a patriot and go vote tomorrow!
Speaking out on this subject is a bit complicated and controversial. Pastors simply cannot be quiet and refrain from teaching what the Bible says. My intention in these devotions last week and this week is not to see how many people I can offend. You will not agree with all I say; some will wish I had said less, and others more. But my highest allegiance is to God and to teach His Word. The Roman historian Tacitus said in AD 58 that there were complaints from the people about taxes and those who collected them. I thought when I read that, the more things change, the more they stay the same!
One biblical commentator put it this way: "The social benefits that come from a properly managed state place the Christian under obligation to abide by the accepted regulations. Undergirding all secular law and order is the authority of God delegated to those who rule." (R.H. Mounce, Romans)
James Merritt preached two messages on this subject of God and government at the church he serves as pastor (Cross Point in GA). He began his message with some comic relief on this tough subject. He said:
"Pro is good, con is bad; so the opposite of progress is Congress. What is the difference between death and taxes? Congress doesn't meet every year to make death worse. Politicians are like diapers: they need to be changed frequently. Why doesn't the government display a Christmas Nativity each year? They cannot find three wise men. What is the most unfair thing about American politics? We have 50 choices for Miss America but only two for president."
As believers, our major responsibility we have toward political leaders is to pray. No matter who wins, we are to pray for them. And we are also to do good, according to our biblical text for today. The most praying, God-fearing, law-abiding citizens in the world should be us followers of Jesus.
The word "government" is like the word "taxes"; those words do not evoke positive feelings for most Americans. There is a lot of corruption in politics, no doubt. There are still those, however, who serve well as politicians and have pure and genuine motives.
There are many other issues and offices on the ballot tomorrow. Please go vote biblical values and morals. If we do not vote, then our complaints about politicians carry a lot less weight for many people. Out of 158 million votes cast in the 2020 presidential election, the winner (Joe Biden) was decided by only 44,000 votes!
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