What Is At Stake

On November 7 the American people will elect a new president and vice president, 435 members of the House of Representatives, and one-third of the Senate. In addition, there are thousands of statewide and local races that will be decided on that day. How should Christians approach their responsibilities in the coming election? It should go without saying that Christians should vote. If we care about the future of the nation, we ought to take the time to study the issues and the candidates. And having done that, we ought to apply our Christian convictions when we cast our votes.

It has been widely noted that the next president will probably appoint two or three new Supreme Court justices. Whoever makes those decisions will shape the court (and ultimately the nation) for the next 25-30 years. Biblical stewardship means caring about who makes the decisions and how those decisions are made. It is sobering to recall that abortion was legalized in 1973 by a 7-2 vote of the Supreme Court. Since then over 35 million unborn babies have been legally killed in America. The next president will have a chance to appoint justices who could stem the tide of death.

The same is true in the area of gay rights. The militant homosexual lobby has made enormous gains in the last 25 years, supported on one hand by Hollywood and on the other hand by a liberal judiciary. What once seemed unthinkable (gay marriage) is now openly advocated, and those who dare to oppose it are labeled homophobic bigots.

Larry Burkett offers a helpful insight on the importance of this election: “The salvation of America will not be found in the ballot box. But in far too many instances, the apathy and misplaced priorities of Christian people have allowed the election of leaders who, by their policies and their personal behavior, have undermined the godly values we hold dear.”

In last week’s column I noted that we do not and will not endorse specific candidates. That is true, and you should feel free to vote as God leads you. However, we will not remain silent on the pressing moral issues of the day. Sometimes I think we have lived with abortion for so long that we have gotten used to it and even assumed that it will be with us forever. What slavery was in the 19th century, abortion is in the 21st century. If it is wrong to buy and sell another human being, it is equally wrong to kill a human being in the womb. But just as slavery ended, even so abortion may one day be outlawed. Things could change if only we had leaders with backbone.

Find out what the candidates believe. Don’t be taken in by slick advertising. And remember who you are. Christians could make the difference if we, in all humility, will take our faith with us when we vote on November 7.