Your vote is valuable! But you must be informed when you vote in order to make it count. Eddy Aliff of the VAIB (Virginia Association of Independent Baptists) has put together a voter guide for this upcoming election. We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the candidates and to vote Biblically.

As Americans, we have been given an awesome opportunity to voice our opinion on who should or who should not serve as our representatives on both a local and national level. When these opportunities arise, we are faced with one of the most important decisions that we have ever been faced with. This decision will affect our future and the future of every generation hereafter. I believe that we are standing at the brink of one of, if not the, most critical times in the history of this nation.

Our nation truly stands at a crossroads. We will either choose to discard the freedom, the liberties and the rights that our Founding Fathers secured and pass on to us, or we will choose to preserve them for our children and our children’s children.

1) We Must Realize That We Have A REASON To Vote

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer…”

The word answer here means “a plea, or a defense.” We as Christians should be the representatives of what is true and what is right. It was God that ordained the institution of government.

Romans 13:1-4 says, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”

Our Founders established for us a form of government known as a constitutional Republic. This type of government is one in which the representatives elected by the people are not sovereign but are instead subject to a higher sovereign law – a written Constitution. This Constitution was based upon God’s creation (the laws of Nature) and the Word of God. Most American citizens today believe that the United States Constitution governs America, but it does not. It was during the Constitutional Convention that John Francis Mercer stated:

“It is a great mistake to suppose that the paper we are to propose will govern the United States. It is the men whom it will bring into the government and interest [they have] in maintaining it that are to govern them. The paper will only mark out the mode and the form. Men are the substance and must do the business.” (James Madison, The Papers of James Madison, ed. Henry D. Gilpin [Washington: Langtree & O’Sullivan, 1840], Vol. III, p.1324, John Francis Mercer, August 14, 1787)

While the Constitution restrains the government, it does not govern America. The United States Constitution gives us, the legal and living American citizens, the opportunity and the power to elect our leaders, but if we elect the wrong types of leaders, the Constitution will be absolutely worthless in their hands. There was no other nation in the history of the world with better civil laws than Israel. You say, preacher, what makes you say that? It was the greatest civil laws because they were written by God Himself. Yet how good were those God-given laws under the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, Manasseh, Jeroboam, or Rehoboam? Our Founders were familiar with this Biblical principle, and all throughout the founding of this nation, our forefathers and our pulpits, Proverbs 29:2 rang out, which says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Reverend William Penn agreed stating: “Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men than men upon governments. Let men be good and the government cannot be bad…But if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.” (Thomas Clarkson, Memoirs of the Public and Private Life of William Penn [London: Richard Taylor and Co., 1813], Vol. I, p. 303, from Penn’s frame of government in 1682)

Though we have been blessed with the most excellent Constitution that has governed this nation from its inception, if it is not administered by competent and reliable leaders, a good government and a good society cannot be guaranteed. But in America, whether the wicked or the righteous rule is completely in the hands of the people. Signer and penmen of the Constitution Gouverneur Morris said, “There must be religion. When that ligament is torn, society is disjointed and its members perish, The nation is exposed to foreign violence and domestic convulsion. Vicious [ungodly] rulers, chosen by vicious [ungodly] people, turn back the current of corruption to its source. Placed in a situation where they can exercise authority for their own emolument [benefit], they betray their trust. They take bribes. They sell statutes and decrees. They sell honor and office. They sell their conscience. They sell their country.” (Collections of the new York Historical Society for the year 1821 [New York: E. Bliss and E. White, 1821], Vol. III, p. 32, 3; 4^th of September, 1816)

John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, gave us a warning when he said: “Those who wish well to the State ought to choose to places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation. Is it reasonable to expect wisdom from the ignorant? fidelity [faithfulness] from the profligate [unfaithful]? assiduity [diligence] and application to public business from men of a dissipated [careless] life? It is reasonable to commit the management of public revenue to one who hath wasted his own patrimony [inheritance]? Those, therefore, who pay no regard to religion and sobriety in the persons whom they send to the legislature of any state are guilty of the greatest absurdity and will soon pay dear for their folly?” (John Witherspoon, The Works of the Rev. John Witherspoon [Philadelphia: William W. Woodward, 1802], Vol. III, p. 82, “A Sermon delivered at a Public Thanksgiving After Peace”)

The current condition of our nation is simply a reflection upon the character of her citizens – what we value and what we tolerate. We as Christians have a reason to vote. If we truly desire a God-fearing nation, then our action or lack of action, will determine the kind of government and the kind of society that we will either have to enjoy or to endure.

2) We Must Realize That We Have A RESPONSIBILITY To Vote

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and (You) be ready always to give an answer…”

Plato, the Greek philosopher, said, “The penalty that good men pay for not being interested in politics is to be governed by men worse than themselves.”

In Matthew 22:17, is approached by the Pharisees and the Herodians who say, “Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?” Verses 20-21 gives us Christ’s response. “And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.”

God is the one that ordained the institution of government and He is very much involved in the doings of government.

Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.”

Psalm 47:7-8 says, “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”

God is still very active and involved in the lives of mankind. He has chosen today to accomplish His work through the church. While God can and does use the heathen to accomplish His purpose, He desires to work in and through His people. It is inconceivable that God would have ordained government and then have His people stay out of it! And if we stay out of it, then I ask - who does that leave running this country?

Matthias Burnett, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Norwalk, said in a message he preached on May 12, 1803" “Consider well the important trust...which God…has put into your hands…To God you are accountable for your rights and your rulers…Let not your children have reason to curse you for giving up those rights and institutions which your fathers delivered to you...”

Our Founders gave numerous and clear warnings that we, as citizens, were not to ignore the private lives of candidates and become negligent to elect godly leaders to positions of leadership, especially in government. Samuel Adams said: “Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual – or at least he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to and his country.” (Adams, The Writings of Samuel Adams, Vol. IV, p. 253, an unsigned article published in the Boston Gazette on April 2, 1781)

Benjamin Rush, one of America’s Founding Fathers, said: “Every citizen of a republic…must watch for the state as if its liberties depended upon his vigilance alone.”

As an American citizen I am granted the privilege to have a voice in the election of the officials that will represent me. Therefore, as a Christian-American, voting is not just my privilege, but voting becomes my responsibility. The most basic opportunity of citizen can participate in is the opportunity to vote. President James Garfield put it this way: “Now, more than ever before, the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities to represent them in the national legislature…If the next centennial does not find us a great nation, it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” (James Garfield , The Works of James Abram Garfield, ed. Burke A. Hinsdale [Boston: James R. Osgood and company, 1883), Vol. II, p. 486, 489, “ A Century of Congress,” published in the Atlantic Monthly, July 1877)

Noah Webster said: “…God commands you to choose for rulers, just men who will rule in the fear of God. The preservation of a republican government depends on the faithful discharge of this duty; if the citizens neglect their duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good, so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizens will be violated or disregarded.”

Christians today have the, “Oh, I’ll just pray” mentality. Listen, make sure you pray, but then get up and do something. “Put feet on your prayers.” John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence said: “I urge you, by all that is dear, by all that is honorable, by all that is sacred, not only that ye pray but also that ye act”

John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, said: “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty as well as the privilege of and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians as their rulers.” (Federer. America’s God and Country, 669.)

One author put it this way: “As America continues a slide into moral darkness that began in earnest seventy years ago, the church is becoming an accomplice by her failure to truly make the difference she was mandated to make by our Lord when He said, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16). (Rick Scarborough, Enough is Enough, p. 3)

3) We Must Realize That We Must Be READY To Vote

1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer…”

The word ready here means “prepared.”

Charles Finney a great evangelist of the nineteenth century said this: “The church must take right ground in regard to politics…The time has come for Christians to vote for honest men, and take consistent ground in politics, or the Lord will curse them… God cannot sustain this free and blessed country, which we love and pray for, unless the church will take right ground. Politics are a part of religion in such a country as this, and Christians must do their duty to their country as a part of their duty to God. It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation where becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they thought God did not see what they do in politics. But I tell you, He does see it, and He will bless or curse this nation, according to the course they take.”

Our Founders understood the natural propensity of man towards wickedness and, as a result, decided that the leaders of the American government must be kept under close watch by the people. They also believed that when leadership fails, the people have the responsibility to vote them out in order to preserve the Constitution and the Republic that the Constitution thus provided. While we as Americans enjoy experiencing the liberty and the freedoms that have been provided for us, we have forgotten that with this great liberty comes great responsibility.

One of these responsibilities, we practice when we vote. The opportunity to vote is a responsibility, or a privilege, not a right. But amid concerns of a rising national debt, a weakening dollar, economic disasters, rising healthcare costs, and the list could go on and on; who do we vote for? While all of our preferences may not be present in any one candidate, what should guide our decision? How should we vote?

A) Vote For Life

The very first gift given by God to man was life.

Genesis 2:7 states, “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

I believe that life begins at conception and before the child is ever formed in the womb of a mother God has a purpose and plan for that life.

Jeremiah 1:5 says, “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.”

I also believe that life will cease when God decides, not when man decides. Aside from corporal punishment and in times of war, man has not been given the right or the responsibility to determine when a life should be ended. This is to be determined by God and by God alone.

B) Vote For God’s Design Of Marriage

In Genesis one God explains for us the very creation of our world and of man. It is in this passage that we find the design, the definition, and the demonstration of marriage.

Genesis 1:27-28 says, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Genesis 2:24 continues by saying, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”

It has been God’s desire from the beginning of man to reveal Himself to us. We are told that God created man in His own image. He then saw that it was not good for man to be alone and so He offered His solution – a woman. He then defined marriage by saying that “…a man…shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” God created man and woman to become one and to reflect His image. It is interesting to note that the Bible describes our God as being strong, mighty, and powerful – traits that are often associated with a man; but He is also described as being kind, gentle, tender, and beautiful – traits that are often associated with a woman. It is by God’s design that when one man and one woman are united together in a covenant relationship that is based upon a commitment to one another and to God, that true Biblical happiness can abound. This also provides a visual picture of the true nature of God for both the children and for others around the family. God designed and defined marriage as being between one man and one woman for life and it isn’t man’s right to alter that definition.

C) Vote For The Strength, Security, And Sovereignty of America

Nehemiah 4:14 says, “And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

Our Founding Fathers believed that the liberties and the freedom of our civil Constitution were worth defending at all costs. I agree and believe that it is our duty to defend them against all attacks – both foreign and domestic. I truly believe that weapons are designed to protect families and weapons are designed to protect society. I think we should be very careful in how we use our armament, but being prepared to use them is a must. America must remain strong, secure, and sovereign if we are to remain in possession of the freedoms that our founder’s secured for us. I believe that American families have the right to protect themselves from harm and injury. I also believe that America must show itself strong and not weak on the foreign stage.

D) Vote For Less Government

Our Founders understood that government was necessary; however, they themselves did not trust government. Thomas Paine said, “Society in every state is a blessing, but government even in its best state is but a necessary evil in its worst state an intolerable one…” I agree.

The only Scriptural role of government is to administer justice – to punish evil and to reward the good.

E) Vote For Lighter Taxation

As far as taxes go, I believe we should lighten the load.

1 Kings 12:4 says, “…make thou the…heavy yoke…upon us, lighter…”(shortened for emphasis sake only).

We do not accomplish this based on the principles of redistribution; we accomplish this by God’s plan of equality.

2 Corinthians 8:13-15 says, “For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.”

F) Vote For Israel

God promises a blessing to those nations who stand with Israel and a curse on those nations that stand against Israel.

Genesis 12:3 says, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” I believe that we, as Americans, must stand for and we must stand behind Israel.

G) Vote For The Next Generation

Psalm 78:4-8 says, “We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.”

I believe that we have the responsibility to vote for the next generation not on the back of, or at the expense of the next generation. We must show them the strength, the works, and the praises of the Lord. 

Friends, the liberty and the freedoms that we enjoy today are great gifts that have been provided for and preserved for us. It is our responsibility to preserve them and to pass these same opportunities on to the next generation. I have done as much as I can. I believe that if we as America continue to go down the path that we are on, the America we know today will not exist for our children. I urge you, as your pastor, as your friend, head to the ballot box this Tuesday, and determine to vote for the candidates who “most closely reflect [these] Bible-based values.” We must realize that we have a reason to vote, a responsibility to vote, and we must be ready to vote. Let’s determine to exercise this great responsibility in a God-honoring way and preserve this great nation that we enjoy.