On Voting in the 2012 Election

In all my years of ministry, I don't recall an election like the one coming in less than two weeks.  I have read an article by one pastor giving his reasons for deciding not to vote because he cannot agree with voting for either one of the major party candidates for President.  He vote is not voting.  I know that some believers, as a matter of conscience, will vote for President, but not for either the Republican or Democrat.  And I have listened to a Christian leader whom I greatly respect, Dr. Albert Mohler (President of The Southern Baptist Seminary, Louisville, KY) make a case of distinction between the two major candidates in which he rather plainly communicates which of the two he will vote for.

Because voting is a small but very real opportunity for us as followers of Jesus Christ to be salt and light in the world (Matt. 5:13-14), I cannot agree with declining this opportunity to vote.  As a matter of conscience some believers may vote for a candidate affiliated with a minor party.  And while evidence is abundant that neither of the major candidates is a Christ-exalting lover of the Scriptures with a Biblical worldview, it is good to be reminded that Paul's instructions for believers in relation to governing authorities and governors were written in the context of life under a Roman system that was hostile to the apostle and to all Christians.  Yet he called for being subject to governing authorities because their power was God-given and instituted by God (Rom. 13:1).  Further, in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul wrote--- "...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..."  

Since Paul counsels us to pray this way so that "we may live a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way", it follows that our voting would be directed toward candidates who will govern in manners that will result in environments and opportunities for such God-honoring living. 

As I have said before during elections seasons I most certainly encourage all of us to stand for the preciousness of all God-given life and against abortion and euthanasia as we vote.  I continue to be amazed at God's patience with a nation in which it is legal to slaughter unborn little ones, and even those who have emerged from the birth canal!  (And now this year, we have a party platform that openly calls for freedom to pursue infanticidal murder and countenances immorality.)  In this sense I am a one issue voter, and other issues of moral importance must be taken into consideration as we vote if we are to stand for the absolute truth of God's Word and design.  However small you perceive one vote to be, I encourage us to stand against such evil and for truth with our vote.

Finally,, here are some resources you may find helpful as you prepare to vote:

* A fine sermon by Dr. Mark Dever--  www.capitolhillbaptist.org/2010/09/jesus-paid-taxes-makr-1213-17/

* The American Worldview Test-- www.albertmohler.com

* "Is A Vote for Mitt Romney a Sin Against God?", by James A. Smith, Executive Editor of the Florida Baptist Witnes-- www.goFBW.com, current issue

More On Loving One Another

Dear Rocky Family,

The subject of last Sunday's sermon, Loving One Another, is very, very big and there is much more to say about the importance of "one another" relationships with fellow disciples in the body of Christ.  There are many verbs describing the benefits of loving one another in the church-- encourage, build up, pray for, forgive, restore, be kind, exhort, help, stir up-- as we seek to grow in faith in Christ Jesus together.

As I read in the book of Hebrews on Monday, I was struck with how important it is to be connected in "one another" relationships as together we battle temptation and sin and live in obedience to Christ, for our joy in Him (John 15:11). The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thess. 4:1-4  "Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to live and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more. For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor..."  

In Hebrews we find that being sanctified in Christ is what John Piper calls a community project.  We are called to encourage one another to grow up in Jesus and fight sin together.  Here are two passages that show how very vital and serious this is:

Hebrews 3:12-14    "Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.  But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today', that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end."

Hebrews 10:23-31    "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.  Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses.  How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?  For we know him who said, 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay.'  And again, 'The Lord will judge his people.'  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

Sobering, to be sure.  Isn't it a great blessing that the Lord of the church has designed his body, the church, so that fellow believers are granted and called to the blessing of caring for the church by spurring one another on in going hard after Christ as we do life together and abide in and obey him for our joy?  So let us move toward each other and unite together in worship, Bible study, LIFE groups, and ministry, helping one another "bring about the obedience faith for the sake of his name" (Rom. 1:5).

And one more passage to encourage you in this: Jesus said, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full"  John 15:9-11.

For His glory and your joy,

Pastor Carey