This Issue...

• Verses to Keep in Mind when you Vote — B. J. Clarke p.73
• Pro-Choice IS Pro-Death — Garland Robinson p.74
• God, Politics and the DNC — Garland Robinson p.78
• Should a Christian Voite? — B. J. Clarke p.79
• Ancient Israel and Modern America — Unknown p.80

We need to realize that our vote may pave the way for the destruction of our society, because the downfall of the home is but a prelude to the downfall of a nation!

        No one knows more about what a nation needs than Almighty God. His Word affirms that “righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). Moreover, God breathed out His Word and it contains “instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Thus, if righteousness exalts a nation, and God’s Word contains instruction in righteousness, a nation will be exalted if it follows the instructions of God’s Holy Word.
        As Americans, we live in a country where we are afforded the opportunity to choose our leaders. Consequently, it is imperative that we be informed about what constitutes righteousness so that we may vote for the candidates who most closely mirror the righteous principles of Holy Scripture.
        Let us examine some verses to keep in mind when we vote.
        Proverbs 16:8, “Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.”
        In other words, IT’S NOT ABOUT THE ECONOMY, STUPID! Lest the reader be offended by my use of the word “stupid,” I would remind you of where this language originated. In the 1992 election, advisors to Bill Clinton explained that they needed to narrow the emphasis of their campaign down to one simple formula. Would they focus on foreign policy, on social issues, or on the economy? They decided to zero in on the economy and thus came up with a slogan to remind them to stay on message. The slogan they came up with was, “It’s the economy, stupid!” Yet, as you can see from the passage in Proverbs 16:8, God doesn’t see it that way!
        Of course we all want to live in a nation that has a strong economy; but according to the Holy Spirit, if we had to choose between being “economically strong” and being “morally upright,” it would be better to have a little with righteousness than to have great revenues without right. Perhaps no leader has ever presided over a stronger economy than did Solomon. Read 1 Kings chapters 4-10. You will be astonished at the immense wealth of Solomon’s kingdom. 2 Chronicles 1:15 describes the economy of Solomon’s day: “And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem [as plenteous] as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale for abundance.”
        But there was a problem, “king Solomon loved many strange women” and allowed these women to lead him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-4). In spite of a tremendous economy, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father” (1 Kings 11:6). His leadership in economic matters was unparalleled, but he also led a nation into idolatry (1 Kings 11:7). Consequently, the Lord was angry with Solomon and took his kingdom away from him (1 Kings 11:9-13).
        Let this truth sink in: In spite of a booming economy, God voted Solomon out of office! What does that tell you about what matters to God when it comes to a nation’s leaders? We need to remember that “It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness” (Prov. 16:12).
        It is high time, indeed it is past time, for God’s people to put MORALS over MONEY when it comes to casting their votes! Consider these verses...
        Proverbs 25:5 — “Take away the wicked [from] before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness.”
        A leader is often only as good as the counselors with whom he surrounds himself. Wicked counselors who give bad advice to a leader are a blight upon the nation. We all remember what happened to Rehoboam who rejected the wise counsel of the older men and instead followed after the horrible advice of the younger men (1 Kings 12:6-15). Consequently, the people mourned. No wonder the Proverbs writer wrote, “When the righteous are in authority the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn” (Prov. 29:2).
        It is important for a leader to surround himself with righteous advisers rather than wicked counselors. The views of a President’s cabinet, and the views of the judges whom he appoints, reveal much to us about the wisdom (or lack thereof) of the leader who appointed them. According to Proverbs 25:5, if you take away wicked advisers from a leader, you will help to establish a more righteous government.
        Proverbs 20:8,26 — “A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. ... A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.”
        This passage indicates that the wise leader is tough on crime. He will appoint judgment and justice to be meted out against the wicked. In fact, the phrase “bringeth the wheel over them” demonstrates that the wise leader deals severely with evildoers. Since leaders set the tone for the nation, a leader that is tough on criminal activity actually helps to create a safer environment.
        Proverbs 28:15 — “[As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.” Proverbs 29:14 — “The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.” Proverbs 31:9 — “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
        These three texts show us that God is concerned about equitable treatment of the poor and needy. God expects for a leader to deal justly with the poor and needy. Now, some would misinterpret this to mean that the leader of the government should give free handouts to all poor people without regard to their work ethic. However, God does not contradict Himself, and we know that the same God who authored the three verses above also wrote that “if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). To vote for a candidate who pledges to give handouts to those who won’t even try to find a job, is to vote against the righteous principle of Holy Scripture that if a man won’t work, neither should he eat. There is something very motivational about hunger, and if we reward the lazy with food they have not worked for, we are perpetuating their lifestyle of lethargy.
        Of course, there are many who are legitimately disabled and others who are unemployed through no fault of their own. In fact, it is important that we not go to an extreme and act as if there are no legitimately poor people. The leader of a nation ought to be concerned about the needs of all men, both rich and poor. A righteous leader will not attack the rich or the poor. He will fight for the rights of both. He will not punish those who are reaping the rewards of their hard work. And at the same time, he will fight against policies that would unfairly oppress the poor and needy.
        Psalm 139:13-16 — “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.” Jeremiah 1:5 — “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, [and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” Luke 1:44; 2:12 — “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” “And this [shall be] a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”
        It is considered politically incorrect to oppose abortion. After all, a woman’s body is her own and we have no right to tell her what she can and can’t do with it. At least, that is what we are told. However, as the verses above demonstrate, the Biblically correct view is vastly different. The Bible teaches that all of life is sacred — from the womb to the tomb.
        Whereas the Bible doesn’t say explicitly, “Thou shalt not have an abortion,” it does forbid the shedding of innocent blood, which is precisely what abortion is (Prov. 6:17). In fact, type the words “innocent blood” into your Bible software program and get ready for some reading. There are at least twenty passages that speak of how God views the shedding of innocent blood. Shedding innocent blood is no small matter in the eyes of God. It is a

n abomination! How then can the child of God cast a vote for a politician who has blatantly promised to perpetuate the practice of that which God calls abominable?
        The Scriptures implicitly teach that life in the womb is sacred. Look again at the declaration of the Psalmist to God in Psalm 139:13-16 quoted above. One cannot read this passage, and the passage in Jeremiah 1:5, without recognizing that God acknowledges life in the womb as worthy of His notice. It is not just a “blob of tissue.”
        In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit described John the Baptizer in the womb with the Greek word brephos, translated “babe” in Luke 1:41,44. This same word is used to describe Jesus after he had been born (Luke 2:12), thus demonstrating that in God’s eyes, both are equally human. The only difference is in development and environment. A small crumb of bread is still bread and a tiny human being is still a human being.
        The Biblically correct view points out that a body, other than the woman’s body, is involved in every abortion. It is, of course, the tiny body of the unborn child that is shredded, mutilated and extracted from the woman’s body. All of the fancy talk and politically correct references to the fetus, cannot change the stark truth and reality of abortion. Abortion is the deliberate taking (killing) of a human life. Do you doubt it? If so, then answer a couple of questions please. 1) Is that which is in the woman’s body a human being? Of course it is! 2) From whence did it come? From two human beings! At conception, a tiny human being is formed.
        Is that which is in the woman’s body alive? Well, why do you think abortion is necessary? Everyone knows that a living human being is developing in the mother’s womb and that if something isn’t done to prevent it, this living human being will finally be born. The fetus is human, for it came from two humans. The fetus is alive or else it wouldn’t be necessary to kill it; thus every abortion is the deliberate killing of innocent human life. That sounds a lot like the definition of murder to me.
        In the future, when you go into the voting booth, will you remember that shedding innocent blood is an abomination in the sight of God?! Will someone please tell me how a child of God can conscientiously cast a vote for a politician who has blatantly promised to perpetuate the practice of that which God calls abominable?!
        Leviticus 18:22, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Matthew 19:4-5, “And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made [them] at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” Genesis 2:24, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
        The very foundations of marriage and the home are under attack and sadly, many political leaders are leading the charge. To condemn homosexuality is politically incorrect. However, those who are interested in Biblical correctness will say, “Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind: it is abomination” (Lev. 18:22). Suppose that a Presidential candidate answered a question about homosexuality by saying, “My position about homosexuality is identical to that of the Holy Bible. I believe that homosexuality is vile, against nature, shameful and the activity of a debased mind” (cf. Rom. 1:26-27). If a candidate so answered, he would be crucified by the media and the politically correct crowd. Though considered politically incorrect, he would be Biblically correct, and, all other things being equal, he would receive my vote if his opponent believed otherwise. We need to realize that our vote may pave the way for the destruction of our society, because the downfall of the home is but a prelude to the downfall of a nation!

        The relationship between man and civil government is often complex. The simple truth of the matter is that God ordained government for the benefit of His creation. We must honor government, but never more than we honor God.
        We must honor the call of our Lord to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ in this unbelieving world (Matt. 5:14-16; Phil. 2:16). The greatest impact the church can make upon society is through the lives of its individual members. We can change the world by changing the people in the world. For example, though there is no express command forbidding slavery in the New Testament, the attitudes bound upon men toward their fellow-men within the New Testament, if practiced, will abolish slavery in a culture. The book of Philemon is a good example of this.
        In addition to influencing the culture through the proclamation of the Gospel, both by my lips and my life, I must determine to be salt and light by assisting the most righteous leaders with my vote. It may not be possible to elect a man who perfectly meets each and every qualification, and God forbid, the time may come when all candidates are equally immoral in their platforms. However, when there is a clear and discernible moral divide between the candidates, the Christian must vote on the basis of Christianity. He must vote in such a way as to advance the cause of moral righteousness!
        When I know that Jesus loves righteousness and hates iniquity (Heb. 1:9), and when I know that He hates the shedding of innocent blood (Prov. 6:16-17) and that He opposes “same-sex marriage” (Gen. 2; Matt. 19:4-6), I can not, and will not, punch a card, pull the lever, or touch the screen for a candidate who is determined to promote that which my Lord opposes! Neither will I boycott the ballot box and let such a man be elected by my failure to be salt and light!
                8465 Linda Shore Dr. N
                Southaven, MS 38672

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 Editorial...

        Have you ever wondered what became of all the “grave yards” that existed years ago? We don’t have them anymore. They’ve all become “memorial gardens.” The same thing has happened to “junk yards” and “garbage dumps,” they no longer exist. In their place has arisen “recycling facilities” and “land fills.” It’s so much easier to think about that which is morbid, gruesome, filthy and foul if we think of it in more pleasant terms. But a hog cooling off in a pond and eating supplement does not change the fact that it’s still wallowing in the sludge and eating slop.
        The political correctness of the day wants to speak of the systematic killing of human infants/babies while still in the womb (between the ages of one day through nine months) as “abortion.” In politics, the practice has been termed “pro-choice.” It seeks to hide the fact that what is involved is infanticide — the slaughter, killing, murder of innocent human beings by the millions! It is done in a variety ways using the most gruesome and inhumane methods imaginable.
        An expectant mother is considered to have the “right” to do with her body as she chooses, in this case, killing her child. What she fails to consider is that the baby is NOT her body! It is another living human being. The proponents of abortion call it “pro-choice.” This is done to make the practice more appealing and less appalling. Pro-choice sounds so much better than killing or murder.
        Pro-choice is the same as PRO-DEATH. It says that an expectant mother is free to choose to kill her unborn child or to let her baby boy or baby girl live. She has the option to kill her son or daughter just about any way imaginable. Some of the most horrific (grossly offensive to decency or morality) and dreadful (exceptionally bad or displeasing) means have been invented to take the child’s life.
        Since the baby is yet unborn, it’s out of sight (can’t been seen except via sonogram). And, being “out of sight,” it’s easier to put the baby “out of mind.” This is why Planned Parenthood and other baby killing operations fight desperately to prevent the child’s mother from seeing a sonogram of her baby and/or seeing pictures or descriptions of the procedure that will be used to take the child’s life. Seeing her child in her womb would more likely trigger her maternal and familial instinct and may cause her to not go through with the abortion. This would drastically cut into their profit making machine and cause layoffs of employees, hurting the economy. Believe it or not, some argue this way.
        What are some of the procedures used to kill the baby in the safety and comfort of the womb?
        The most common method of killing the unborn is the suction procedure (aspiration) which literally rips apart it’s body and vacuums the pieces out to be discarded.
        There’s the D&C method (similar to the suction) that cuts the living infant into pieces with a sharp knife, which is then scraped out to be discarded.
        There is the D&E method which uses forceps to pull, twist and tear the flesh and bones into pieces. Usually the spine must be snapped and the skull crushed in order to remove them.
        There is the salt poisoning method which involves using a long needle to inject a salt solution into the fluid surrounding the baby. This method acts like a corrosive, eating away at the baby’s lungs and skin. It literally burns the baby alive and could take as long as an hour or more for the baby to die. In about 24 hours, labor sets in and the dead baby is delivered. There are some cases, however, in which the infant is delivered alive in what’s called a “botched abortion!” The child is usually left unattended to die suffering and alone. But, in some cases, the baby survives, lives to be an adult, gets married and has children of their own. You can find many survivors of abortion telling their story on the internet.
        President Barack Obama, while an Illinois state senator, cast a “no vote” several times to bills that would protect born-alive infants which would treat them as humans and giving them protection under the law. His “spin” on it was that he did not want to erode Roe vs Wade which granted a woman a right to an abortion (in other words, a constitutional right to kill her baby).
        The Prostaglandin Chemical abortion induces strong contractions which often crushes the infant, sometimes decapitating it, and then pushes it out dead or dying.
        There’s the Hysterotomy or Caesarean Section abortion. It is used mainly in the last three months of pregnancy. This method is practically the same as a Caesarean except the umbilical cord is cut inside the womb which cuts off the baby’s oxygen supply. The infant is then taken out and left to die of neglect and exposure.
        There’s the partial-birth abortion where the abortionist uses forceps, guided by ultrasound, to grab one of the baby’s legs and pulls it outside the mother’s body. He/she continues his work until the entire body of the baby, all except the head, is pulled outside the mother’s body. A pair of scissors is then jammed into the baby’s skull and a tube is inserted through which the baby’s brains are sucked out, collapsing the skull. The remainder of the dead infant’s body is then completely removed. In the mind of some, babies at this point are not yet human beings since they have not been completely born. Can you imagine anything more inhumane and outrageous than this? Neither can I. No wonder God said that all who follow the devil’s way will be tormented with him in eternity (cf. Matt. 25:41).

        On Mars Hill, Paul declared that God “...giveth to all life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25).
        The unborn baby is a human being with its own unique personality. God said to Jeremiah, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jer. 1:5). God knew Jeremiah even before he was born. How could this be if the unborn is not a living human being? Jeremiah was not just “fetal tissue” or a blob of cells/flesh.
        David was still David even before he was born (cf. Psa. 51:5). Though yet unnamed by his parents while still in the womb, he was known of God. David was not a lifeless piece of flesh.
        In Luke 1:40-41, we read that Mary “entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb.” John, who would be the immerser as an adult, was a human being in Elisabeth’s womb. What if she had opted for a career and had an abortion? John would not have been the forerunner of Jesus our Lord (cf. Luke 3:4).
        We should be thankful that God did not choose to send “his only begotten Son” into the world in our generation, he might have been aborted and never had the chance to die for our sins.
        The Greek word for “babe” means “an unborn child, embryo, fetus; a newborn child, an infant, a babe.” It refers to an unborn child in Luke 1:41, an infant in Luke 2:12 and a small child in 2 Timothy 3:15. Advocates of abortion make a distinction between the unborn and the born. However, the Bible makes no distinction between the unborn and the infant or young child.
        In the Old Testament, the law of Moses speaks of men fighting and accidently injuring a woman which causes a premature delivery of her baby. God says that if both the mother and baby survive with no injury, the man is to be punished “according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him” and the judges determine. But, if either the mother or infant is injured, “then thou shalt give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exod. 21:22-25). If God felt this way about accidental abortion, imagine how He must view the doctors, nurses and mother who willfully and intentionally aborts the child with the intent to kill.
        Romans 1:31 speaks of those who are “without natural affection.” This phrase means “love of kindred” or the lack of affectionate regard towards one’s children. Without a doubt, a mother that can deliberately kill the innocent child in her womb is lacking that normal motherly affection which God expects of mankind. Unless the guilty repent, they will have no home in heaven.
        Proverbs 6:17 says God hates those who shed innocent blood.
        Advocates of abortion, the pro-choice crowd, don’t care what the Bible says. This includes every-day Americans, from factory workers to business owners, politicians to church members. All who endorse, promote, vote and defend the practice, turn a blind eye and deaf ear to multiplied millions of screaming infants whose home has been invaded and mercilessly sacrificed (killed) on the altar of mammon and selfishness. Romans 1:32 speaks of both those who practice evil and those who sit idly by and take pleasure in them that do.
        Christians are the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matt. 5:13-16). Our job is to permeate and influence society for righteousness. Our voice can be heard when we exercise our constitutional right at the voting booth. We must work and pray that godless morals may be reversed throughout all the land and the entire world.

        To those who believe the unborn child is nothing more than a lifeless piece of flesh, consider the following medical facts:

1. 2 1/2 weeks — heart begins to beat, separate blood supply.
2. 3 weeks — eyes, spinal cord, nervous system, lungs and intestines are present.
3. 6 weeks — brain activity can be recorded on the electroencephalogram (EKG) and movement can be detected.
4. 7 weeks — fingers, knees, ankles and toes.
5. 8 weeks — grab an instrument placed in his palm. An electrocardiogram can be done.
6. 11 weeks — all organs are present and functioning.
7. 18 weeks — active, energetic, flexing muscles, punching and kicking.

        Wake up America! It’s later than you think. The world is burning through the acts of terrorists and people across this country are more interested in seeing “dancing with the stars” than they are in learning and heeding God’s Eternal Word! Evil has existed from the beginning and every generation has its share. The Bible plainly tells us that when men forget God, God will forget them.
        America as a nation is so quickly removing itself from any sense of moral uprightness and decency. It’s been coming for a long time and when it reaches its fullness, how long will God allow it stand? We’ve heard warning after warning about it from faithful Gospel preachers. Yet wickedness and corruption is growing at an alarming rate all across the land. The hearts of people are turned toward themselves and growing worse by the day. Unless the moral climate of this nation is turned around, the whole country will continue to be engulfed in the bitter spiral of decline, farther and farther into the pits of degradation. Yea, it’s already there!
        Evil and wickedness is raising its ugly head in a more brazen fashion than we’ve ever seen in our lifetime. As it was in the days of Jeremiah 5:31, so is it in our day. “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love [to have it] so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” Isaiah 5:20 reads, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
        The point of moral decline was made very apparent in the recent Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina (the first week of September, 2012). It was reported that more than 100 mainline denominational churches, “ranging from Baptists and Methodists to Assembly of God,” mobilized to pray for the convention. On Sunday starting that week, more than 9,000 people gathered for prayer. The event received only meager coverage in the news (which is par for the course). However, when about 200 Muslims gathered to pray, it was given “extensive national coverage.” Something is seriously wrong with this picture!
        It was also reported that about 56 churches wanted to put gift baskets together “featuring Carolina Pralines and a letter welcoming them to the city and offering assistance in transportation, childcare or spiritual matters.” But according to the churches, the Democratic National Committee banned them from distributing their baskets saying the churches hold values that are contrary to the party platform.
        Leaders in the churches said their point was to show southern hospitality to those coming to town. But, DNC officials told city officials that the churches would not be allowed to distribute their gift baskets. The churches were told their views on women’s rights were contrary to the platform. The churches then asked “if they could send welcome letters to the delegates.” The DNC refused again saying it was because the churches hold pro-life values, denying women’s right to abortion.
        It is evident the DNC wanted no part of moral values in their program, principles or position. They did not even want the word “God” or the word “Jerusalem” in their platform at all — making sure it was not included. When news of this received some attention, the motion was made to have a vote to include the words “God” and “Jerusalem” back into the platform. A voice vote was taken three times to include the words “God” and “Jerusalem” in their platform and was finally forced through in spite of loud audience opposition.
        Events such as these are major, major news items and yet little to nothing was reported in the mainline news about it.

        The Lord’s church has no part in politics and has nothing to do with either the Democratic or Republican Parties/Conventions. The church’s role is solely in the spiritual realm. Its work is in promoting and defending the Truth, the Word of God, the Gospel of salvation (Jude 3; Phil. 1:7,17).
        However, when a person, a people or organization teaches, promotes, defends and/or denies truth and righteous principles, then you can expect the Lord’s people to speak up against it. The faithful in the Lord will always teach truth and refute error. The fact that leaders in the DNC did not want to have anything to do with God or righteous principles, reveals just how far removed from truth and morality so many have gone. It makes no difference whether these things are among Democrats, Republicans or Independents. Error must be exposed because THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. IT IS A BIBLICAL / MORAL ISSUE.
        As Christians, we should exercise our right at election time to vote for those candidates that have a moral sense of decency and oppose those candidates that do not. Don’t leave your “christianity” at home when you vote. Far too often people vote merely because of political party or a promise of economic prosperity. It ought not be that way. There is a vast difference among politicians regarding their moral stance. Too many run their campaign on the promise of defending the right of mothers-to-be to take the life of their unborn child. God forbid! Such thinking as this is twisted and warped and void of any moral decency! To vote for one with this view is disastrous to the moral climate of our county and one’s own soul. Don’t be guilty of contributing to moral decay. Learn where the candidates stand on moral issues and vote according to moral uprightness.
        Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” God desires we contend for righteousness and moral decency. God will bless this nation when its morals rise to meet His standard. But if we continue our downward plunge into debauchery, immorality, wickedness and corruption, this nation will not be blessed by God nor will he allow it to stand forever. God will bring it low.
        All that wickedness needs to succeed is for good people to do nothing! To do nothing is in effect supporting the evil because you are allowing it to succeed. Are you having a part in America’s moral decline or its rise?
               
               

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Christians should do everything within their power to put moral leaders into positions of power in every level of government, whether it be local, state or federal.

        Without a doubt, the best way to revolutionize the American nation (or any nation for that matter) is to convert one person at a time to the holy nation that belongs to Jesus Christ, the church (Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Peter 2:5-9; Col. 3:1ff). Neither the United Nations, the Congress, nor the White House, can pass enough legislation to make the world a better place apart from Christ. Civil government, in and of itself, is insufficient to save the world.
        Having said that, it is apparent that the more righteous the climate of a nation is, the better the chance is of finding receptive hearts for the Gospel plan of salvation. It is harder to reach souls for Christ in a lawless, immoral society than it is in a society that reveres and respects the moral code of the Bible.
        Proverbs 29:2 proves that life is better when the righteous are in authority. The passage declares: “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Since the people rejoice when the righteous are in authority, should it not be the goal of every Christian to attempt to put the righteous into places of authority? Since righteousness exalts a nation (Prov. 14:34), should not every Christian seek to elect officials who adhere to righteous principles and practice?
        The stark contrast between a righteous and unrighteous ruler is evidenced on many pages of the Old and New Testament. Consider the difference between Haman (Esther 3:15) and Mordecai (Ester 8:15). Read the history of the kings of Judah and Israel and see if the righteousness or unrighteousness of these rulers had any impact upon these nations. And, what about the ruler Herod? Did not his attitude toward righteousness affect the people over whom he reigned (Matt. 2:1-3,16-18)? His subjects did not have the opportunity to vote him out of office for someone better. They were stuck without the right to vote. However, those of us who possess the right and privilege to vote can help to determine the moral climate in which our children will be raised.
        Accordingly, it is the conviction of this author that Christians, as individuals, should not completely divorce themselves from the consideration of political issues and the election of suitable political officials. Rather, Christians should do everything within their power to put moral leaders into positions of power in every level of government, whether it be local, state or federal.
        We have the opportunity and obligation to try to ‘leaven’ our society by either running for office as individuals or seeking to vote into office individuals who are committed to righteous principles. Furthermore, these “principles of righteousness” will be as broad as the New Testament and not as narrow as the platform of a particular political party. Hence, we will look for candidates who are as concerned about the poor as they are the unborn and vice versa.
        Please observe that I am not writing this article as a Republican, nor am I writing as a Democrat. I’m not even writing as an Independent. I am writing as a Christian. Whenever I enter the voting booth, I do not enter it as a Democrat, Republican or an Independent. After all, it wasn’t a Republican or Democrat who died for my sins. And it won’t be a Democrat or a Republican sitting on the judgment seat on the Day of Judgment.
        I belong to Christ. He died to purchase my redemption. Therefore, whenever I enter the voting booth, I will remember that the Democratic Party doesn’t own me. The Republican Party doesn’t own me. Christ owns me. That is what the word “Christian” means.
        The question is this: When I vote, will I vote as a Christian in name only? Will my vote reflect Christian principles, or will it help to elect a candidate whose positions are blatantly antagonistic to the moral teaching of the Christ to Whom I belong?
        When I vote, will I turn a blind eye to the positions of the candidate I am voting for simply because he/she has a “D” or an “R” after his/her name? Will my allegiance to the political party for which my family has always voted be greater than my allegiance to Christ? Pray help me if it is. What about you?
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        Many people are wondering why America’s economy is in such bad condition. Politicians on all ends of the spectrum are arguing, pointing fingers and giving “solutions” to the debt problem. The problem isn’t going to be completely solved until we get back to God.
        The similarities between Israel and 21st century America is interesting and frightening.

        In Deuteronomy 28, Moses tells Israel of the blessings they would receive in verses 1-14. These blessings depended on their obedience to God (vs.1,9,14). They had already been blessed because they already had what they would need (Deut. 6:10-12). God has equally blessed America with material prosperity. We have been given everything we need. We have the blessings and opportunities that many in the world can only dream of, yet we have thrown it away due to our stubbornness and rebellion.

        In Deuteronomy 4:26-28, Moses said to Israel: “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed. And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.” Israel did this by worshipping Molech which had been forbidden (Lev. 18:20; 20:2-5; Jer. 32:35) even to the point where the wicked kings Ahaz and Manasseh sacrificed their own sons (2 Kings 16:3; 21:6).
        The United States has gone after the “gods” of money and entertainment by worshipping icons of pop culture rather than God who is to be worshipped (John 4:24). American children are being sacrificed to modern Molech at the altar of selfishness in the form of legalized abortion which God abhors. God said to Cain in Genesis 4:10, “...What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.” Whose blood can be more innocent than the unborn? We must realize that God will not bless a nation who slaughters the most innocent of its citizens. We must realize that children are a blessing (Psa. 127:3).

        Israel was commanded to teach their children about God’s word and what He had done for them (Deut. 6:6-9; Josh. 4:5-7). However, they neglected this responsibility (Judges 2:10): “And all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.” There was no knowledge of God (Isa. 5:13; Hosea 4:1,6) because there was no teaching. Parents are responsible for teaching (Eph. 6:4). Consider the example of those who took their children to see Jesus (Mark 10:13-15). They were teaching their children.
        When children aren’t taught today, they don’t know God and His word. Parents have neglected that obligation and then wonder why their children become agnostics or atheists when they go to college. They blame the professors, preachers and everyone but themselves.

        Moses told Israel they were stubborn (Deut. 9:6,13; 31:27). Their stubbornness continued because they wouldn’t turn to God and listen (Judges 2:19; 2 Kings 17:14-17; Neh. 9:9).
        America has become the same way. Just like in Isaiah’s time, the people didn’t want God’s word. They wanted something to make them feel good (Isa. 30:9-11). In modern America, many want Joel Osteen over the Bible because he and others like him don’t condemn but rather give the people what they want just like Paul said would happen (2 Tim. 4:3). Just like Judah, we think God isn’t watching (Ezek. 8:12). The country doesn’t want the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

        God promised His people He would heal them if they would return to Him (2 Chron. 7:14). He will heal and bind after tearing and smiting (Hosea 6:1). Nehemiah acknowledged the sins of the people when he learned the walls of Jerusalem were still on the ground (Neh. 1:4-11).
        The United States must acknowledge its sins. Joel called for an assembly of the people to cry to God (Joel 1:13-14). America must cry to God and ask for His forgiveness. We must humble ourselves (Psa. 18:27; 147:6; Micah 6:8). God does not overlook ignorance in this age (Acts 17:30).

        America has strayed far from God just as Israel did, but we too can return just as the Scriptures teach. We must learn from the mistakes of Israel and stop repeating them before its too late.
        The fact of the matter is that no single politician or plan is going to save our economy, but rather a return to God who gave us this nation in the first place.
        Brethren, Christians have been silent for too long. It is now time to speak and get this country back on the path of righteousness so that we may be blessed once more (Psa. 33:12).
                —Author Unknown
               

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