Salt of the Earth
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT “You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden...Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
Today is Election Day in the United States. It should be a day for all Americans to choose its national and state leaders to lead the country in the direction it should go. Today is also a special day for Christians to let their faith be made known by how they vote. Their vote should always be a reflection on how the Lord would vote if he stood alongside each of them.
As special as this day should be for Christians, many millions of Christians will not vote. At least this is the conclusion that researchers have found to be true based on previous elections.
The Barna Research Group analyzed the results of the election held in 2000 and discovered the following: 41% of adult Christians who claim to be born-again did not vote. In 2000 this would have amounted to over 35 million Christians. You cannot help but wonder how these 35+ million Christians will attempt to justify their actions before God. You may think the 2000 election was an anomaly but this would not be the case. It is the continuation of patterns that have developed in election cycles over the years.
You would think voting for the best candidates to lead this nation would be seen as a basic responsibility of Christian’s, but obviously many do not see it that way. Surely, no one would think their vote wouldn't matter. Could it be they are looking for the perfect candidate? If so, they will go through their entire lives without voting at all. Or perhaps they use one of the lamest excuses of all, they simply did not have the time to vote.
I wonder if those who do not vote, think these excuses will justify their behavior and lack of involvement in the political process when they stand before God? In light of the teachings of Jesus who used a metaphor to describe believers as salt on the earth (Matthew 5:13), real salt is used to flavor and preserve food. So as believers we are to flavor and preserve through our Christian witness and testimony the lives of those around us and we do that through the power of the Holy Spirit that leads us. Jesus, in the same metaphor, Matthew 5:14, describes believers as the light of the world. Light illuminates, enabling us to see and walk without stumbling. It illuminates both good and evil so there is no excuse for us to live ungodly lives. The light of God will always lead us in the way of righteousness, in the way of Jesus Christ. When it comes time to vote the light of Christ will give us direction and insight in choosing the most worthy candidate to vote for. We are not to vote for a particular party or to be swayed by charismatic candidates; we are to vote for what the candidates stand for and we are to investigate their witness and their testimony to make sure what they are saying to us is true and trustworthy. We are to vote the Bible as best we possibly can.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-2 we are instructed to pray for our political leaders and those in authority over us so that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. We are told to do this because it pleases God our Savior.
This is not an appeal for any candidate but it is an appeal for you to ask God to guide you in your voting and to pray for our leaders regardless of who is elected. Our elected officials are nothing more than a reflection of those who vote them into office.
My love and prayers to each of you as we continue to wage war against the enemy of our God and hasten his coming. David
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