"Please don’t vote" - Pastor Dale

Don’t vote until you’ve done these ten things, since they are even more important

Go ahead and vote, by all means. But be sure to do these ten things first. Important as voting is, these are even more important.

1. Humble up. Elections are often described as “battles,” and war breeds pride among both victors and the vanquished. Don’t be a casualty of this war.

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ... Phil. 2:3-11

2. Love your wife or respect your husband. The best thing you married folk can do for the USA is to be a grand illustration of the love of God for His people as only married people can be, by His design. Ignore your wife, or disdain your husband, and your vote is unhelpful.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. Eph. 5:30-32

3. Pray for Barack Obama. Love him or not, we’re charged with this responsibility. Can that kind of power and glory not corrupt a man or woman?

First of all, then, 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. I Timothy 2:1-2

4. Love your enemies (candidates, lobbies, lifestyles, etc.). Jesus demands it.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ... Matthew 5:43-48

5. Remember that salvation comes from the Lord, not Uncle Sam, Nancy Pelosi or Mitch McConnell. Providence over politics. Evangelism over polling. Devotion before activism.

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

6. Be aware that under the political battles are spiritual ones. Give your heart and soul to spiritual battles, not only the political ones. Though they can overlap, they are different battles, fought differently, with different aims.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

7. Spend more time in the Word, less with the talking heads. The radio and TV guys make their living by keeping you riled up. Prefer the “peace that surpasses understanding.”

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

8. Give your time and heart and money to things that will last forever, not just the next election cycle, or for four years.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

9. Pray for the candidates’ families. How can those spouses and kids survive that scrutiny? Some don’t. Is it right to sacrifice a childhood to public service? Pray that good intentions will translate into godly priorities, despite the close attention and pressure.

First of all, then, 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. I Timothy 2:1-2

10. Support the church. Through thick and thin, over thousands of years, it’s the people of God who prevail.

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2:19-21

11. Did I say “ten things?” Here’s a freebie: seek wisdom. Wisdom for our candidates, for elected officials, in voting. Wisdom is better than knowledge. Don’t get me wrong: knowledge is good. But some smart people are fools, while some uneducated people are very wise. Wisdom is better than knowledge.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 2:15-17