When we are talking about people, we always get a mixed bag. If the candidate doesn’t know Jesus, I expect dark corners of their life to come to light. I expect promises to be broken. I expect their standards to be lower and their ethics to be off. That doesn’t mean I disdain all politicians and leaders who aren’t Christian. It just means I expect them to live by a different standard. If the candidate knows Jesus, the stakes are even higher. No one is perfect, but the claim on the Christian’s life is righteousness. Our actions, words, decisions, relationships and track record should all give glory to Jesus. And if it doesn’t, there should be clear confession and actual repentance. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Instead, often in the case of Christian candidates, we see back peddling, cover-ups, denial and embarrassment. They smear the name of the Church and they rob glory from God. That said, I am so thankful for the candidates we have in this race now who know Jesus. They aren’t perfect, and I believe they’d be the first to tell you so. They own their sin. They refuse to hide their wrong in the closet, and they hold the righteousness of Christ close to their chests.

Voting on issues isn’t nearly as messy as the candidate race can be. Most issues are clear cut. Take the gambling industry. I can’t fathom an issue they would put forward that I would ever be in favor of. Gambling is wrong, period. It targets the poorest, most vulnerable pieces of our communities, drains them dry and then moves on. Don’t believe me? Check out Tunica, Mississippi today. Or take the bill that is on the Colorado Senate floor right now that will legalize prostitution. Can you believe that? No form of a bill like that is right or acceptable. That cheapens women and the marriage bed. I will always vote “NO” on issues like that because all forms of sex outside of marriage are wrong.

I realize, and this is the good part about politics, that my vote will not always win. Give and take builds a stronger society than one-sided elections or the kind of world that political bullying will lead to. (Think Huey P. Long in Louisiana or George Wallace in Alabama.) When we lose, we learn from each other and figure out ways to work together. Jesus says this world will be full of trouble for those who follow Him, but He never tells us to disengage. He tells us to stand up for what is right and to be the voice for the marginalized. I try to always do this.

I hear people saying that our community is divided right now over politics. We shouldn’t be surprised by that, and I’m not sure how we can avoid it. When we have an issue to decide, there will always be people on both sides. And within those camps, there will always be strong voices. I try to always write and speak from a Christian perspective. That means I will lean toward generosity, honesty, moral strength and compassion. In my biased opinion, I don’t see many places where this can steer me wrong. I fully realize practicality matters. I would never argue for a tax or a law that costs us everything. That would be communism. There is, however, such a thing as practical generosity or sensible compassion. We can’t legalize the voice of the Spirit, and for the believer, He is always the Leader. In the things we can vote on, to err on the side of generosity is always good. To lean toward compassion always makes us
a better, stronger society.

The thing about politics is there will always be a winner and a loser; the issue will either carry the day or fail. There is no middle ground. I urge the Christians reading this article to pray about your vote. Don’t vote with your wallet, and don’t listen to the naysayers. Don’t be bullied into one position or the other. Ask the Lord what is right, good and true, then vote and trust Him with the outcome.