Daily Devotional for Tuesday October 19, 2004

Being a Godly Citizen

(Titus 3:1)

Even though most who read this Devotional are in the United States, the country you live in doesn't matter. One of our responsibilities as a child of God is to be a Godly citizen of the country we live in. This is accomplished primarily by obeying the laws and honoring those God has placed in leadership. Here are many scripture references that support this: Ecclesiastes 8:2; Matthew 17;27; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 2:14; 1 Peter 2:17; Ezra 7:26; Exodus 22:38; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Acts 23:5; Proverbs 14:34.

For those of us fortunate enough to live in the United Sates or in other democratic countries, we also have the ability to have our voice heard through our vote. Let me just say this. Voting is an incredible right we have, and it should not be taken lightly. It is one way we can make our voice heard, and at the same time be the Godly citizens we are called to be. If you are not registered to vote, get registered and vote!

One of our most powerful ways to be a Godly citizen is through prayer. Pray for your country. Pray for your leaders. Pray for God to bless your nation. Also, pray about those things that need to be changed. In the US for instance, we have an incredible problem with abortion, divorce, upholding God's plan for marriage and family, and how incredibly easy it is to access any sin you can name. As you know, my stance on social change is by changing people through faith in Jesus Christ, one heart at a time.

There is a certain amount that can be done politically on these social issues, and we must try, but real change can only come from God. A great example was the Prohibition era. Making it unlawful to drink didn't even slow down alcohol consumption. A great modern day example is the illegal drug crisis we are in. The fact that they are illegal is little deterrent to those who want to use drugs. Again, real change comes one heart at a time. The prayers of God's people work!

Another way that you can be a Godly citizen is through getting involved in the political process. In a democracy like we have in the United States, it invites people to participate. It gives those so led the opportunity to give of themselves to help their fellow citizens. Like everything else in this world, sin has perverted the true meaning of public service. In its purist form, it is an act of service. Unfortunately, it has deteriorated into a way for many to get rich, acquire power, and fulfill self-serving interests at the expense of the people they are supposed to be serving.

However, being involved with pure motives can be an incredible way in which to not only serve your fellow citizens, but God as well. Not just as someone who holds public office, but those many, many dedicated people it takes in support positions. I am asked often if Christians should be involved in politics. ABSOLUTELY! The Bible calls us to be good citizens of the nation we live in. We not only should be involved in politics, we MUST be if we want our voice heard and our beliefs known. Since the political system determines much of the daily life in a nation, it is imperative that men and women of God be active participants in politics locally, as well as at the state and national levels.

So the big question many are struggling with is who to vote for in the upcoming elections. Let me give you these guidelines to help you today. There are many key spiritual issues that our nation is battling with that are also key political issues. Abortion and marriage are the two biggest ones. We also have pressing spiritual/political issues like how we deal with the nation of Israel, gambling, and pornography. In addition, most every political issue has a spiritual element to it.

It is the Bible that is our final authority in ALL matters. God's Word, and God's Word alone represents absolute truth. When we are faced with the spiritual/political issues of the day, it is critical to go to God's Word and see what HE says about those issues. THE GOAL IS TO FIND MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL GOVERN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD OF GOD. THAT IS WHO YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR.

During the recent series of Presidential debates, especially in the last one, both Senator Kerry and President Bush were questioned about the two main spiritual issues our nation is currently facing, abortion and God's Holy Institution of Marriage. It is clear that Senator Kerry would continue to support the Federal Government's involvement in the slaughter of millions of innocent babies each year despite stating that he doesn't believe in the practice of abortion. Sadly, even though President Bush has taken a stand for life during his administration, he is on record stating he will NOT seek to overturn Roe -v- Wade which would take the Federal Government out of the business of killing babies and make abortion an issue each state would have to decide on.

On the issue of marriage, it is clear that Senator Kerry will not do anything to stop the tidal wave of same sex marriages that make a mockery of God's Holy Institution. President Bush has taken a position on supporting a Constitutional Amendment that will define marriage as a man and woman. Sadly however, when posed with the simple question of whether homosexuality was a choice, both men chose to duck the issue to not offend those who have CHOSEN this sin. The fact is, nobody is born 'gay," just like nobody is born an adulterer, just like nobody is born a pedophile, just like nobody is born to have sex with animals...they are sexual CHOICES people make!

With the Presidential elections only 2 weeks away, I contacted the offices of Senator Kerry and President Bush since both men profess to be Christians. I asked them if they had their Christian testimony that I could share with our friends at Liveprayer.com. Despite repeated calls and communication with Senator Kerry's office, they never responded other than at one point to say this was not part of what they make available to the media. However, we did receive a response from President Bush. If you are interested in reading what his office sent, simply go to: www.liveprayer.com/gwbtest.htm .

(Let me add here that I am aware that there are many others running for the office of President like Ralph Nader and Michael Peroutka of the Constitution Party. Peroutka more than any other candidate takes a strong stand for God and Biblical principles. The reality is, due to the current political system that is in place, the combined votes of all of these men will not even become a blip on the radar screen. They have absolutely no chance under this current system to win. They were not allowed to be part of the debates and they won't even be on the ballot in all 50 states. Of course that is not right, but we have to deal with reality, and the reality is under our current system there are only two men that have the chance to become the next President. For those who are led to vote for one of these other candidates I can only counsel you to vote for the person you feel God would want you to vote for.)

I love you and care about you very much. You will be in my prayers. As you go throughout your daily lives, never forget the responsibilities we have to be Godly citizens. Again, the best way we can fulfill that responsibility is by obeying the laws, exercising our responsibility to vote, and praying for our leaders and nation each day.

I sense in my Spirit that the United States is losing many of the blessings God has bestowed upon this nation these past 200+ years due to our sin and rebellion. We can read clear examples in the Bible of how God dealt with the children of Israel when they disobeyed. Even though they were God's chosen people, He took the hand of blessing from them for their disobedience. I hear the trumpet sounding its warning my friend. Lets us turn from our sin before it is too late. Being a Godly citizen is one way we can make that happen.