"You are like salt for the whole human race. But if salt loses its saltiness, there is no way to make it salty again. It has become worthless, so it is thrown out and people trample on it. "You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead it is put on the lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16 (TEV)
Any pastor worth his salt, no pun intended, will contrast the difference between the two candidates who are running for the office of President of the United States. The differences between the two candidates this year will result in one of two America’s in the future and the differences between the two are so wide that one result will be catastrophic for our nation.
It will be your choice to decide...morally... the right choice that will be the best for the good of the country. Anything less is neither loving God with all your heart nor loving your neighbor as yourself.
I don’t have room to note all of the differences between the two candidates but I will note one that should not be ignored.
First, the impact of the next President of the United States on our judicial system cannot be overlooked. The next President could nominate as many as three or four justices to the Supreme Court as well as add dozens of judges to federal district courts and courts of appeals, where most of federal lawsuits are adjudicated.
With one presidential candidate there would be a replacement for the recent loss of Justice Scalia with a liberal, which would give the Court a 5-4 majority even without Justice Kennedy, and a 6-3 edge whenever he votes with that block.
That would really make a difference in the churches of our nation. For just one example, some churches in the state of Iowa have been instructed to make their bathrooms open to people on the basis of their “gender identity” if the churches are going to remain open to the public. If those rulings end up before a liberal Supreme Court, well, I think you know what would happen.
With the other candidate there has been the releasing of a list of judges that are to demonstrate what type of nominee would be put forth to serve on the Supreme Court. The list includes judges who would uphold the original meaning of the Constitution and would not create new laws from the bench.
The point is...we have already experienced judicial tyranny regarding abortion rights and same-sex marriage. It is important for the Christian to become informed and then vote for the best, flawed candidate, for all candidates are flawed, and the corresponding platform they have presented.
That’s exactly what the believer should do with every issue and then take the contrasts before the Word of God and prayerfully examine the Word to determine which candidate would be better for the country.
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jeremiah 29:7 (NIV)
Abortion will be impacted. Religious liberty hangs in the balance. Freedom of speech could be further restricted. Political dissent could be targeted by the government. We could see the IRS targeting particular political groups, as well as the prosecution of those who dare to disagree with man-made global warming theory.
A Christian should do everything they can to minister good to and for the nation. The vote that we are privileged to cast is a practical application of what it means to love God and love people.
Other issues such as taxes, jobs, the military, our borders, terrorism, the ISIS threat, Russia, China, Israel, energy, Executive orders, health care, unborn babies, racial tensions, the list goes on and on. The positions of the two candidates are almost diametrically opposed and the nation that results will be completely different.
We can only base our decisions on the most likely result. No one can ever know what the future conduct of any human being will be...only the Lord knows. Historically, most elected candidates will attempt to do what they said they would. It’s reasonable to think that both candidates will attempt to do what they have promised.
When you examine the running mates of the candidates it gives you an additional read on what kind of leadership they will attempt to provide.
We pray and ask the Lord to bless our nation and heal our land. Does the Lord work through us as the salt and the light of the world? Should we do good works and give praise to the Father, for His glory. Then perhaps we should vote, it’s a gift the Lord has provided to us to do good, then we will leave the result in His almighty hand.
The influence of Christianity has always made a difference in Korea; the North is very much different than the South. The “influence” or “lack of” Christianity will make a difference in America as well.