Crossroads of Life
Election Time!
Whoopee!
At the
monthly men’s breakfast the subject of the up-coming election was the topic of
the morning.
Every
election, no matter which, appears to be “the most important” election in
history, or at least its implied to be by a varying number of “political experts”.
To be sure
every election is important it makes no difference whether it’s a local, state
or national election, for each one has issues and candidates to be selected by
the voters, some of which will affect the lives of every citizen in this country,
whether or not they chose to vote.
There are
issues on health care, taxes, zoning, highway maintenance, and a myriad of
other selected issues.
Then there
are the candidates running for public office. President, vice-President,
Senators, Congressmen and women, judges, Governors and so on, each elected
official having the authority to pass laws and legislation, regulations, taxes
and so on which eventually touch each and everyone of us in a variety of ways,
including retirement, health care, taxes (again?), and virtually every aspect
of our way of life!
Now, that’s a
real mouthful!
That being
said let us examines a few passages of Scripture regarding the issue at hand.
Casting Lots/Voting
Casting lots
and voting while on the surface appear to be the same, rest assured, they are
not!
Casting
Lots: In ancient
times disputed questions were often settled by the casting of lots by most
nations. Magistrates and priests were appointed by it and the land of conquered
enemies was distributed by its means.
In Acts
1:15-26 Justus and Matthias were candidates for the office of Apostle, recently
vacated by Judas Iscariot. The lot fell upon Matthias and he was counted among
the eleven other apostles.
The Roman
soldiers divided the garments of Jesus by casting lots. Matt.27: 35
Casting lots
is basically assigned to a select few to “cast the Lot” thereby making the
decision.
Personally I
sometimes think of casting lots as “drawing straws”, whereas the short straw
gets the “vote.” However, it is not an accurate analogy.
While
Scriptures give no definitive modes of casting lots, tradition tells us the
several modes were used such as: little pieces of wood placed in a jar, filled
with water, shaken and the order that the pieces of wood came out when poured,
determined the outcome. In other cases they were drawn out of a wide mouthed
jar by hand. Sometimes, again, they were cast in the manner of dice.
Voting: On the other hand voting has been
delegated to the qualified, registered “masses” rather than a select few.
Voting is the basic method of democratic societies. It encompasses the realm of
researching the various issues and candidates on the ballot. Hence it is the
“masses” that decide issues rather than a select few. One goes to a
predetermined voting place, registers, and casts their vote.
In either
scenario the vote or the lot cast has the Lord’s blessing.
Principle:
Prov.28: 18 The
lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.
Principle:
Prov.16: 33 The
lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing is
of the Lord. In other
words, God sanctions the vote or lot casting. The end result is God’s will or
plan.
Personal Obligations
Aside from
voting each one of us has the personal obligation to sort out fact from
fiction.
Many
statements, miss-statements, perversions of truth, twisting of material
information, character assignations etc are made by all sides, whether it is an
issue or candidate. It is therefore the obligation of each qualified registered
voter to do his or her own research to determine the very best choice.
This is not
an easy task! There is so much information to sort through! But that does not
diminish the importance of voting rather it enhances the importance.
It is
dangerous to enter to he polls without being properly informed. Remember what
is at stake. Your future! Your finances! Your health! Your retirement! Your
life!
I don’t know
which is worse:
- The poorly or uninformed or
- The qualified, registered voter who stays home and refuses to vote or
- The one who will not vote because their spouse’s view is opposite, thus canceling their vote
- The one who votes a “straight ticket” whether Democrat, Republican or Independent, without researching the facts
Each side
counts on the huge elements of:
- Emotional voters; “I just love him or her!” “Isn’t he/she good looking!?”
- Uneducated voters: Those who don’t do their homework!
- Diehard party affiliated voters
Which one are
you?
Whose Side Is God On?
Often someone
will say; “I’m glad God is on my side.” Nothing could be further from the truth! Remember, God is not a Republican, Democrat,
Independent, nor does He take sides. Also remember, Prov.16: 33 The
lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing is of the Lord. In
other words no matter which way the vote goes, no matter who are elected to
office, God is still in control, and sanctions the outcome!
God is not on
“anyone’s side!”
It is God who
sets up kings and takes them down! And in a democratic society God uses the
voting process!
However, it
is vital that you be on God’s side!
In other
words if you vote responsibly and well informed and vote for what are the
closest to Christian values, then you are most likely of God’s side!
Faith Building Practice and Review
1) Name three (3) personal obligations
you have when it comes to voting.
2) Name three (3) things at stake for not
voting or for not doing your homework.
3) What are the differences between
“casting lots” and voting?
4) What are the similarities?
5) Is it more important for:
a.
God to be on our side
b. You to be on God’s side
6) Is God a:
a. Republican
b. Democrat
c. Independent
d. None of the above
e. I don’t know
f. Atheist
g. Communist
h. Other
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