WHO I AM VOTING FOR IN THE 2024 ELECTION
BE SALT AND LIGHT OR BE WORTHLESS
The Lord Jesus Christ gave believers a directive that I’ve hoped to honor since the day I first trusted in Him as my Savior. We are to be salt and light in this world. And I believe the 2024 Election - regardless how chaotic and confusing the vitriol - provides us that opportunity.
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).
During the time our Lord walked on this earth salt was an invaluable and indispensable commodity. It was vital to daily sustenance, prohibiting the growth of bacteria and other microscopic “bad actors,” while preserving food. And an added benefit - salt also enhanced palatability - the proverbial icing on the cake - as a flavor amplifier. Without salt, much of the food supply would have quite literally grown rancid and inedible.
Jesus instructed His followers to live their lives in such a manner as to continually counter the rotting influence of evil in the world around them, safeguarding the Truth of the Gospel. Think about it. Two thousand years ago the God of the Universe placed Himself on earth for a time to walk among men, teaching Gospel truth. At the same time the influence and “evil pushback” of the god of this world was undeniable. Jesus was keenly aware that our enemy was alive and at work, even as He journeyed on foot from town to town. He instructed His followers to challenge the lies of the enemy through their preservation and proclamation of Truth.
If believers needed to hear this message in Jesus’s time, how much greater is the urgency today? Radio, television, the Internet - none were here to inform the masses until nearly two thousand years following our Savior’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. But today the touch of a button transmits data worldwide. At lightning speed. It becomes rooted in minds across the globe, whether fact or fiction. May we all be quick to hear His call to action. We as believers are the salt of the earth in 2024. Are we responding to His call?
Note that Jesus also declared His followers to be light in a dark world. Let’s unpack this for a moment. Darkness conceals, darkness confuses, darkness controls. It distracts, causes fear, unease, and distress … and much more. Satan is an expert at muddying God’s Truth with his lies … especially lies about the absolutes and intricacies of life - under the guise of human rights and freedom. A woman’s right to have control over her body. A confused adolescent’s right to choose a different gender. Even the right to invent previously unknown genders. The right to end life that is no longer useful. The enemy’s deception has escalated to a level previously unfathomable. Our Lord knew it would come to this. And He is not shaken, nor should we be … because light exposes and expels darkness, removing the veil, revealing the truth. He is the ultimate Light of the World. And He is a Sovereign, All Powerful, All Knowing God.
As an expression of being salt and light here is who I am voting for this November:
I am voting for the innocent babies who are being killed before they even take their first breath.
I am voting for the babies who survive an abortion and are left to die, in anguish, all alone.
I am voting for those confused individuals who mutilate their bodies while rejecting the Truth that God created male and female.
I am voting for young women whose various pursuits in athletics and elsewhere have been infiltrated and destroyed by men claiming to now be women.
Tragically, greater evil marks our culture than ever before, and this is but a short list.
How could I as a believer in Jesus Christ ignore His command to be salt and light? It is our choice. Do what He’s told us to do or be worthless. We can be a beacon of light with an aim to preserve the Truth of the Word of God, or we can choose to ignore His commands, failing to give glory to the very God who created human government.
GOD ORDAINED GOVERNMENT TO CONSTRAIN EVIL
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer (Romans 13:1-4).
By His divine directive God ordained the institutions of family, His church, and human government. His primary purpose in creating human government is for wrongdoers to be held to account. With this in mind I tell you that
I plan to vote for judges who will uphold the law.
I plan to vote for leaders whose desire is to protect the safety of citizens by controlling and reestablishing borders.
VOTE FOR PEACEFUL, QUIET, GODLY AND DIGNIFIED LIVES
In his first letter to his son in the faith, Timothy, the Apostle Paul told Timothy to “wage the good warfare,” holding on to the faith ..
This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme (1Timothy 1.18-20).
Then Paul voices a critical admonition regarding the spiritual warfare that robs some of their faith.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Several brief observations on this passage:
Keep in mind this letter was written during the reign of Nero, who blamed Christians for a massive fire he (Nero) ignited in Rome. While Emperor Nero killed his mother, first wife, and martyred a vast number of Christians, God allowed Nero to be in a position of authority. Thinking both candidates are a lost cause? Our Lord uses both godly and evil leaders in the world to accomplish His purposes.
Prayer should be our priority, as this is a spiritual battle which requires divine intervention. If you are concerned about who might become president, keep this in mind, and pray for His sovereign will to be done.
Common sense tells us that, given the opportunity, we should support those pursuing a “high position,” and we should give consideration especially to those who would uphold our ambition to lead godly, peaceful, quiet, and dignified lives.
The ultimate goal of our prayers and voting is to be better able to share the Gospel, as our gracious God longs for all people to embrace His truth and be saved from a dark and devastating eternity away from Him. (And doing so in no way frames us as a “Christian Nationalist,” nor does it cause our desire to cast a vote to be “political idolatry.” I say this in light of some Christian leaders who currently apply these labels to believers with whom they disagree in this election. It is not sinful to cast a vote for a flawed individual whose platform purports to best align with Biblical values.)
In view of this, I am voting for leaders who demonstrate respect for our faith.
VOTING THE PLATFORM
One of the greatest dangers in this election is those citizens who cast their ballot while dominated by anger and deception. Satan is the “god” of this world and he is the master of accusation and manipulation.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Corinthians 4.4).
And this is why prayer and biblical discernment must surpass any prejudices based on feelings towards a candidate. I say this recognizing that the candidates are imperfect and deeply flawed.
So who are you voting for in this election? Or are you “sitting it out” this year because blemishes mar the character of both candidates? I understand your disappointment, but if you do not cast your vote as your God given privilege and responsibility in our nation, the wrong person will!
May the Lord Send Revival to our Hearts, the Hearts of our Leaders, and to our Nation … May He Guide Us to be Salt and Light in a Sin Ravaged World … and May He Bless THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!
John