Who Ahould Christians Vote for Focus on the Family

A voting guide for Christians

With all of the claims and counter-claims of politicians, it is easy to become confused on whom to vote for in elections.  In voting, we are most ofttimes guided by the political party we acquaintance with.

We at Northwestern Media encourage our listeners to take a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Nosotros view the Bible every bit the concluding authority for organized religion and applied living.  While nosotros believe that our eternal citizenship is in sky (Philippians iii:20), God has temporarily placed us in countries here on earth and wants us to participate in their affairs.  Given these three fundamental positions, we believe Christians are chosen to vote according to the values of our permanent "state" (sky) as spelled out in the Bible.

According to some estimates, multiple millions of Christians are not registered to vote and many who are still don't take reward of this right.  Ane of the most key values given to u.s. by God in the Bible is that of stewardship—that is, nosotros are to be stewards, or managers, of what God has given us.  Being citizens of a constitutional republic which allows citizens to vote for their leaders, nosotros Christians in the United States can exercise stewardship over authorities past, amid other things, voting for our leaders.

The Bible does not tell us who to vote for.  Neither do we.  Even so, the Bible does spell out God'south view of regime and it gives us values to consider when making voting decisions.  Nosotros discuss both of these subjects briefly below.

A Biblical View of Government

I section in the Bible (Romans 13:i-7) most clearly and succinctly explains God's view of authorities.  In this letter to the church in Rome, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians as follows:

• Nosotros are to submit to governing government—vs. 1.  Not to do so means we are rebelling against God and inviting His judgment (vs. 2).  That's non to say there is no room for dissent when we see biblical values such as those outlined below beingness violated.  Just in general, nosotros are to submit to government regime unless they crave us to disobey clear instructions from the Bible, in which example we should stand up upward for what is correct no matter what price we have to pay.  The Apostle Peter gives like instructions well-nigh submitting to governing authorities (1 Peter ii:13-17)
• God has "established" government leaders—vs.1.  They are literally "servants (ministers) of God" (vs. 4).
• Our leaders are to administrate justice, and we have no reason to fearfulness them if nosotros are living correctly (vs. iii).
• A major responsibility of government is to punish "wrongdoers" (vs. four)
• We are to submit to government government non only because they have the power to punish us only also to continue a clear conscience because nosotros are obeying God'southward commands (vs. 5).
• Nosotros are to pay taxes to allow our political leaders (like pastors) to devote full time to governing (vs. 6)
• Nosotros are to honour and respect our leaders (vs. 7).

Elsewhere, the Campaigner Paul instructs Christians to offer "requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving . . . for anybody—for kings, and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and repose lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-ii).

Every bit we make our voting decisions, we demand to keep in mind what God designed regime to exist and do and the role we are to play in government.

Biblical Values

There are far too many political issues for us to hash out here.  What we desire to focus our attention on are the biblical values that should guide our voting behavior.  Christians face the same issues that all citizens in a community face.  Merely if nosotros take our faith seriously, we will arroyo them differently than others.

Here are some of the biblical values that should aid guide united states of america in voting for candidates:

• Sanctity of life.  Co-ordinate to Genesis 1 and 2, God is the Creator of all life and uniquely among all creatures He has made humans "in His image."  Throughout the Scriptures God repeatedly places high value on preserving human life.  It is clear to those who have the Bible seriously that we are to maintain the sanctity of life in all phases of life, from formulation to the final stages of life.  Question: Where do political candidates stand up on issues that bargain with the sanctity of life?
• Stewardship.  In Genesis 1 and 2 we read that God created all things and entrusted to people the management of the balance of cosmos.  God is the possessor and has appointed usa as His managers or stewards.  Question: Which political candidates appear all-time capable of managing God'south creation? Just we believe stewardship extends to more than than the physical world God has created—it extends to every area of life—our finances, our fourth dimension, our abilities, the people nosotros lead, etc.  Question: Which candidates create an environs for us to exercise personal stewardship in all of life?
• Sanctity of the family.  Since we have the start two chapters of Genesis seriously, we believe in that location is no question that God created one human and one adult female to share an intimate, life-long relationship and that He created u.s.a. every bit sexual beings with the ability to procreate and told us to have children (multiply).  Question:  Which political candidates are most likely to uphold the biblically mandated family structure and promote healthy family relationships?
• Protection.  Information technology clear from the entire sweep of Scripture that a primal purpose of government is to protect its people from threats, both internal and external, to peace and physical safety and well-beingness.  While Jesus told individual Christians to "plow the other cheek", at that place are no similar instructions for governments.  Leaders who through inaction or misguided actions threaten our safety and security are non fulfilling their biblical mandate.  Question: Which political candidates tin best protect its citizens from internal and external threats?
• Justice.  Nosotros believe it is clear from Romans 13 that a cardinal purpose of government is to administer justice.  Promoting justice includes, in part, making sure that wrong-doers are restrained and punished, that laws of the land are applied to all citizens as and fairly, to brand sure all citizens accept access to legal recourse, etc.  Question: Which political candidates hold the greatest hope of administering justice?
• Poor and underprivileged.  In the Bible God places a loftier priority on helping and protecting the about vulnerable members of society—the poor, homeless, immigrants, orphans, the aged, the fatherless and widows.  Question: Which political candidates show the greatest willingness to run across the needs of underprivileged, vulnerable members of our society?
• Productivity and industriousness.  As a counterbalance to business concern for the poor, it is clear from the Bible that God puts a high premium on hard piece of work and beingness industrious (Genesis 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 4:eleven-12; 2 Thessalonians three:6-10).  With a few important exceptions (i.e., those who are permanently mentally or physically handicapped), our approach should exist to help people struck by adverse circumstances to "get back on their anxiety", rather than permanently depending on the government or individual individuals and organizations.  Question: Which political candidates suggest policies to help the poor in time of need notwithstanding encourage them to be independent and productive members of society?
• Character.  From the selection of Abraham, Moses, Saul and David in the Old Testament to the engagement of church leaders in the New Testament, it is articulate that God puts a high value on character.  We believe that wise policies and actions flow out of strong character.  There are many dimensions of graphic symbol—honesty, integrity, backbone, fairness, humility, compassion, etc.  Question: Which candidates brandish positive character qualities and evidence an ability to maintain a balance amidst these qualities, not simply enforce the ones they agree virtually with?
• Righteousness.  Proverbs 14:34 says, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."  It is clear from the Bible that leaders of non-theocratic nations (such as ours) should create an atmosphere that is conducive to practicing righteous living.  We need leaders who will promote the freedom to believe and practice faith and to express that faith to others without coercion.  Question: Which candidates will promote an environment that is conducive to righteous living?
• Glorifying God.  The Campaigner Paul tells us in Colossians 3:17 that nosotros should do everything in the proper name of Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him.  In brusk, we Christians are to glorify God, or make Him look skilful, in our voting just as we are to practice in every other area of life—from our jobs to our relationships with our spouses and children, etc.  Question: How can nosotros glorify God with our voting beliefs?

Wouldn't information technology be bully if we could notice candidates who score an A+ on each of these dimensions?  Unfortunately, we live in a fallen world and our politicians, like all citizens, share in that "fallenness."  At the very least, we should vote for those candidates who come closest to living up to biblical ethics as expressed above.

Tone

Throughout this ballot season, you lot will hear us talk well-nigh the importance of voting and doing and so according to biblical values.  Only our pledge is to exercise so in a civil, humble manner.  Nosotros recognize that even well-informed, well-intentioned Christians disagree on how to use and interpret biblical values in fulfilling stewardship in government.  Above all, we encourage yous to pray for the coming election of leaders at all levels of government.

Summary

These are the challenges nosotros face:

• To think biblically
• To seek God's wisdom in choosing which candidates to support
• Then to vote!

To discover out where y'all vote, take a expect at the official state websites that volition help you lot find your precinct, polling location, and view sample ballots:

•  Minnesota
•  Wisconsin

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Source: https://myktis.com/2016/10/voting-guide-christians/

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