If I had to sum up Your Guide to Voting as a Beautiful Kingdom Warrior, I would give you three points to bear in mind:
This is what the Lord requires of us.
Yeah, this post is more about how to be a faithful Christ-follower during the Presidential election and less about how to vote. And I am preaching this post to myself, friends.
Walk Humbly – adj. “having or showing a modest or low estimate of one’s own importance.” As much as any of us may read up on this election and the candidates’ platforms, we cannot have a perfect grasp on the issues and we cannot predict what will happen in the coming presidential term. We are all handicapped by biases, ignorance, and limited perspectives-not only our own, but also those of our sources and community of influence. Humbly listen to others, considering them better than yourself (Philippians 2:3).
Love Mercy – n. “compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.” Be merciful especially to those who will be casting their ballot differently than you. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Do not call names. Do not slander or malign others. Be slow to anger. Try to understand their perspective and be charitable, loving and kind. Hate any speech that is unmerciful.
Act Justly – n. “based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair.” Vote your conscience. There is much that is broken in our country that needs healing, redemption, and justice. Consider what is best for the “least of these,” the most marginalized and voiceless members of our society – certainly that includes unborn babies as well as those living in poverty, those caught in the pipeline to prison, those without adequate healthcare, unequal pay, refugees seeking asylum from war, and the list goes on. There is abounding injustice to dismantle.
I would also add, Do not be afraid. We have been told over and over that there is much to be afraid of and that the outcome of this election could trigger the End Times. Enough pandering to fear-mongering!! Place your trust in Jesus alone and do your best to faithfully follow Him, leaving the rest up to Him.
This election season has been fraught with controversy and emotion. It is critical to remember that as Christians, our battle is not with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers (Ephesian 6:12). We must pray for discernment while maintaining our allegiance to one King only, our Lord Jesus Christ, and His coming Kingdom. We cannot place our hope in a political candidate or party to save us. God is making all things new, He is redeeming His creation and has invited us into this redemptive work. We are to be His ambassadors of peace. And that starts with loving our neighbors.
As an advocate for gender equality here at The Beautiful Kingdom Warriors, I am going to post links in the footnotes to relevant articles and Tweets from recent days. I do not want to diminish my point that as Christians, though, we are called to be the hands and feet of God’s love. Let’s be respectful and kind to others when we are talking politics.
Regardless of our political views, we must remember to walk humbly,
love mercy and act justly.
Here are some articles I’ve posted to our TBKW FB page:
Petition: A Declaration of American Evangelicals Concerning Donald Trump
Evangelicals Are Supporting a Sexual Predator. It’s Not the First Time
I Just Had to Explain Trump’s Pussy Comments to My Sons
Many men talk like Donald Trump in private. And only other men can stop them.
Excellent Tweets responding to Trump’s “locker room banter” about assaulting women:
Ruth Perry
Becky Buck
The Beautiful Kingdom Warriors 