In Mark 3, Matthew 12, and also in Luke 11 is the story of how Jesus drove a demon out of a man and healed him. The crowd was amazed at how he had the power to do this. The Pharisees said in Luke 11:15 (NIV), “By Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Jesus responded to their accusation by saying in Matthew 12:25 (NIV), “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?”
“‘Division’ is an interesting word,” says Steve Gaines in his devotional book Morning Manna. “‘Di’ means ‘two.’ Thus, the word means, ‘two visions.’ America is divided because two groups with two visions are vying for control. Which side are you on?”
It is no shocker that Democrats and Republicans are divided on the issues. It is no shocker that Democrats and Republicans have two separate visions for the future of the United States. What is even more upsetting to me though is how divided it seems many Christians are on the issues as if we didn’t have a guidebook (the Bible) to draw from.
Do you know that about 30 million Christians did not vote in the last presidential election according to Decision magazine? Herein comes my point. If we as Christians are not going to be salt and light in this nation then where does that leave us? If we as Christians will not vote according to biblical principals where does that leave us? If we as Christians are divided amongst ourselves then where does that leave us?
I am, like most people, not really hot on either candidate as a person or as a politician. However, I cannot let that dissuade me from voting according to my values and beliefs. I did receive and would love to suggest a great publications which goes through the candidates and what each platform stands for. It is from a Christian slant, but does not tell you specifically who to vote for. It lays out each candidate with quotes, issues and platforms. Here are just some of the issues which are addressed in this publication:
I hope that you, like me, will research the candidates, and set aside time for prayer to seek God’s will and discernment in your voting. I hope you will fast if you are physically able to do that as well. Then go and vote. Don’t be like the man who was given the one talent, buried it in the ground, and did nothing with it. Go and be the salt and light in this nation. You have a voice so go and use it.
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but
sin is a disgrace to any people.”