October 25, 2018

Brothers and Sisters,

We pray the words above are familiar to you and that you realize unity, freedom, and equitable treatment under the law are blessings from the Lord.  Each of us needs to remember, however, that these blessings were graciously granted to those who live in America in order that God would be exalted by us as a nation submitted to Him.  I fear that it may be that this is no longer true for the majority.  And when sight of God is lost, His insight for righteous living is also lost.  An individual’s perspective in such a case is not, “God and others”.  The agenda of the one who loses sight of God is, “Me, irrespective of others”.  I am afraid that this is the “action plan” for many within our country.

Such an ideology erodes our God-given blessings as a nation.  As a nation, we are more divided than I have ever witnessed.  We speak of liberty but what is meant by many is freedom to do what I want with no responsibility toward others (In concept, this is very close to the definition of anarchy).  And in the past 1-1/2 years, we see the presumption of innocence being turned upside-down with the accused being expected to prove their innocence rather than the accuser proving guilt.  Why are these things occurring?  They are occurring because, as a nation, God is no longer the god to whom we bow down.

Brothers and Sisters, I do not write this to discourage you.  I write this that I might encourage you in two things.  The first of these two is pray for America.  Pray for those who profess to know Christ yet act like the world that they might return to the Lord.  Pray for our governmental leaders at all levels to ask for the Lord’s wisdom in doing their jobs then act upon the wisdom He freely gives: no matter how hard that might appear to be.  Pray for the lost in our nation that they might come under the Spirit’s conviction, turn to the Lord, and seek His headship for their lives.  And pray for the return of civility to all who are faced with a difference of opinion.

The second thing that I want to encourage you to do is vote on November 6th.  This election is crucial.  Below is an excerpt from a Focus on the Family web page. (https://www.commit2vote2018.com/midterm-election-2018-whats-at-stake/)

Voters in the November 2018 midterm will see critical races and issues on the ballot, as this election will decide:

• All 435 members of the U.S. House Of Representatives
• 33 seats (one-third) of the seats in the U.S. Senate, many of which are in key competitive states; two additional special elections for vacancies in Minnesota and Mississippi
• 36 state governorships
• The makeup of 87 percent of state legislative chambers nationwide
• More than 125 ballot measures in 30 states

The direction of our nation will definitely be affected by this election.  We must vote and our vote must be based on Biblical truth and principle!  To do this, we must look beyond the appearance of the candidate to the doctrine a candidate espouses and supports: the party platform.

Below is a revised excerpt from the newsletter I sent out in October of 2016, which includes portions of the “vision” of both major political parties.  You will notice the sections are still dated for 2016.  This is because the party platforms are ratified at the National Convention for each party, which is held in presidential election year.  While other things may be expressed in addition to the platform (this year, they appear to be retaliation or revenge-driven), the actual party platform for either major political party has not changed.  We pray you will take these things into consideration as you head to the polls.

Each national party has a platform: an ideology or set of ideas that defines what they believe and what they would implement as law given the opportunity.  When you vote for the person, you are voting for the party’s platform because those who get in office appoint people.  Typically, these people have ideology similar to their own.  After all, it is a logical thing to appoint people who share your vision for the future.  Once these appointees are in place, the policies/laws that are implemented affect the moral fabric of our nation for much more than the person’s term in office.

Below, I have included some information from the platforms of the two major parties represented in this election.  In it you will find excerpts from each parties stance on three issues, abortion, marriage, and the appointment of judges to the Supreme court.  Any emphasis in the text below is mine.  I did not include all that was said by either party.  However, I do not believe that I have misrepresented either party’s position on the issue by what I have omitted.  If you want to read more you can find each party’s 2016 platform on line or request a copy at their political office in your area.

Marriage

2016 Democratic Platform (p. 19)

Democrats applaud last year’s decision by the Supreme Court that recognized that LGBT people—like other Americans—have the right to marry the person they love. . .

2016 Republican Platform (p. 11)

Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values. . .We, therefore, support the appointment of justices and judges who respect the constitutional limits on their power and respect the authority of the states to decide such fundamental social questions.

“And Adam said:

“This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;

She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”

Genesis 2:23-24 (NKJV)                             

 

 Abortion

2016 Democratic Platform (p. 37)

Democrats are committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. We believe unequivocally, like the majority of Americans, that every woman should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion. . . We will continue to oppose—and seek to overturn—federal and state laws and policies that impede a woman’s access to abortion. . .

2016 Republican Platform (p. 13)

The Constitution’s guarantee that no one can “be deprived of life, liberty or property” deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence’s proclamation that “all” are “endowed by their Creator” with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to children before birth. . .

^“For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. 

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;. . . “

Psalm 139:13-14b (NKJV)

 

The Judiciary

2016 Democratic Platform (p. 25)

We will appoint judges who defend the constitutional principles of liberty and equality for all, and will protect a woman’s right to safe and legal abortion. . .

2016 Republican Platform (p. 10)

. . . A critical threat to our country’s constitutional order is an activist judiciary that usurps powers properly reserved to the people through other branches of government. . .Only a Republican president will appoint judges who respect the rule of law expressed within the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, including the inalienable right to life and the laws of nature and nature’s God. . . The legitimate powers of government are rooted in the consent of the American people. Judicial activism that includes reliance on foreign law or unratified treaties undermines American sovereignty. Foreign laws and precedents should not be used to interpret our Constitution or laws, nor should foreign sources of law be used in state courts’ adjudication of criminal or civil matters. . .

 

One last thought:

“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.  Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord God

Ezekiel 22:30–31a (NKJV)

Throughout the Bible, we see a pattern of the Lord seeking the man, woman, or group that will stand for Him by standing in the gap for His people and their nation.  Jesus was the pinnacle of this concept; in love He stood in the gap for us at Calvary.  Will you be an example of the model we have been given?  Allow your time to vote to be fueled by the love of Christ. Humbly seek God’s blessing on our nation and all within its borders as you wisely exercise the blessing inherent in your freedom to vote by standing for Him even as you stand in the gap for His people and their nation.  You were born again for such a time as this!  Honor your Lord by seeking His best for our nation as you vote.