Reposted from November 2016
Every four years we have Elections. As is true each year, everyone has an opinion on who to vote for. No one seems to remember what the reason is for voting. I am not going to comment on the candidates or tell you who to vote for. I am simply going to REMIND you of what the reason is for voting.
PART 1 - Directions on Voting from the Bible
There are “religious” people who have forgotten what the Bible says about voting. This could be a result of not hearing it spoken of from the pulpit. Historically this is a country with religious freedom. That does not include the freedom to speak about politics from behind the pulpit. Why is there a dependency upon the pulpit for guidance on how to vote and not the Bible?
Now, with that said, let us see what the Bible says regarding voting in the election. Oh, wait a minute. That is odd. The word “vote” is not in the Bible. Where does the Bible say: “Thou shalt vote every four years for a religious person to be your leader”? It may be hard to believe, but the Bible does not tell us to go out and vote.
The Bible teaches that there is something more important than going to vote. It teaches a concept called responsibility.
This is a concept that is alien to our society. Man considers himself; and not others; therefore he cannot possibly be held responsible for his actions and deeds. Pages can be spent on that topic. How does this relate to Elections and the vote?
Man is responsible for his actions.
When you vote, you and you alone are responsible for, and held accountable for, how you use that vote.
If you vote for any one candidate; you assume ALL responsibility for putting that Candidate into office. You have chosen to use the “privilege” for that “once in a lifetime” opportunity to have a “say in the outcome”. How you chose to use it, was not the fault of the “candidate” or “media”. You made the choice. You are the one RESPONSIBLE for that vote. No matter what your “logic” is for voting for that person, you are responsible for that decision until the next election. If your choice makes BAD decisions for the next four years, it is your responsibility to live with it.
Part 2 - Wasting Your Vote
Can a vote be wasted? Now, how you use that “privilege” is addressed in the Bible! Do you squander it, if you do then you have done nothing more that put it to waste.
Jesus taught the parable regarding wise use of your talents. I am not going to go into a sermon on it. The man was a fool for burying the money in the ground instead of putting it to use. If you are going to intentionally squander your vote, you are no different than that man was.
What is a wasted vote? The following statement summarizes the approach many people are taking to waste their vote.
Not wanting either Candidate A or B. Candidate B is worse than Candidate A. Vote is given to Candidate A because a vote for A is a vote AGAINST Candidate B.That is the most pathetic case of giving up. This voter is in a row boat with a hole in it. The voter takes the paddle and throws it into the water because they believe they might drown anyway. They do not try to use the cell phone they have because the battery is probably dead anyway!
Candidate C or D has no chance to win against Candidate A or B
That is true. Surprise you with that statement. When a Baseball pitcher takes the mound; he is expecting the other eight players to take the field as well. Suppose they decide to quit because they will lose anyway. He goes to the mound to attempt to “finish the game to the best of his ability” anyway. What can he do without a catcher or the other seven?
Is it really any different? Millions of voters are planning on taking the same attitude on Election day. They have given up in the eighth inning. They are planning to “give up”. They are losers in the eighth inning instead of losers after nine innings who gave it all on the field.
Part 3 – What are YOU going to do about it
1. RESEARCH candidates. ALL candidates regardless of “party platforms”.
2. Vote for all offices that are up for election. National – State – Local
3. Research all issues. Referendums, ballot initiatives. These may be local or state wide
4. Do not WASTE a vote to keep someone out of office. Vote for the best candidate.
5. GET OUT AND VOTE
