The following devotion was written by Rev. Kenneth Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®, and is used with permission of Lutheran Hour Ministries, all rights reserved. The Michigan District would like to thank Chaplain Mark A. Bowditch, Lt Col USAF AFRC HC/HC, for sharing the devotion and the voting guides that follow.
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).
In the year 1776, three members of the newly formed United States adopted their very own, brand new Constitutions. Although each of these states had a different heritage, a different history, there was a commonness to the way those Constitutions began.
Let me show you what I mean:
* The state of Maryland placed into its preamble the following words: “We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God….”
* Then there was Pennsylvania, whose Constitution begins, “We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.”
* Next is Virginia, whose Constitution was a little more specific: “Religion, or the Duty which we owe our Creator, can be directed only by Reason and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other.”
Did you see the similarity here? Each of those states acknowledges its dependence upon God. There were no exceptions to that rule in any of the states.
Understand, I’m not saying these preambles are all Christian; they’re not. But they all recognize a power greater than theirs.
But in recent years, Satan has made sure that religion in general, and the cross of Christ in particular, has been opposed by many enemies.
It wasn’t so very long ago that a lawyer, representing his daughter, stood before America’s highest court and demanded the Pledge of Allegiance be declared unconstitutional. The Court refused the man’s request. It didn’t refuse it because the judges recognized the nation’s dependence upon God; no, the lawyer’s argument was rejected because the Court was unsure if he was the child’s legal guardian.
Now I’m not a prophet, but I am quite sure that America is not going to declare herself a “Christian” nation anytime soon. BUT that doesn’t mean the Savior’s followers can’t live and vote as Christians. We can. And with the way we deport ourselves in the marketplace and the way we vote in the ballot box, we will tell the world that our God is not confined to some old pieces of paper written many years ago.
On the contrary, the Lord who gave Himself to win our forgiveness and salvation is part and parcel of everything we do.
Indeed, how could it be otherwise?
Prayer: Dear Lord, in all He did, Jesus showed the saving of lost souls was of paramount importance to Him. He didn’t have a public life where he played the role of the Savior and another life that was for Himself. Grant that we may also be consistent in the way we live our lives. In thought, word and deed may we make it plain that Jesus is our precious Redeemer. In His Name we pray. Amen.
Below are some resources and voting guides to help you make your own decision.*
2016 Party Platform Comparison (2-page synopsis)
2016 Presidential Voter Guide (2-page synopsis)
FRC Voter Research Guide (36-page booklet)
What Churches Can Do Politically (President of the Family Research Council explains what pastors and churches can do politically)
*The Michigan District does not endorse any particular candidate or party.
Photo (c) enterlinedesign/Lightstock
