An important look at what matters to God as we head into one of the most charged election seasons of our lifetime.

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Woe   to those who call evil good   and good evil,   who put darkness for light   and light for darkness,   who put bitter for sweet   and sweet for bitter. -- Isaiah 5: 20 (NIV)

This country that we live in has become so polarized over the past 20 years. The people in power have sold the people in America that there are only two sides and it is crucial that you decide what side you are on. Why? Because the other side is to blame for everything that ever goes wrong in our lives. It allows us to avoid personal responsibility and perpetuates the victim mentality the devil sells to everyone. We can get 32 flavors of ice cream but only two coherent lines of political thought. You are either blue or red, liberal or conservative, republican or democrat. With the addition of fringe elements there is less room for compromise, which is what governing is supposed to be based on. While this is sad enough in the world it becomes even sadder when it infects the church as it seems to do so easily. There is nothing like an election season to fire up the spate of "Christian" emails one might receive. Filled with distortions and lies, propagating their candidate as just what God needs to fix this country. Playing on a Christian's true desire to do the right thing, they will sell you on how their guy is not only the right choice, but he is God's choice. Let's see what God has to say about that:

Don't put your confidence in powerful people; there is no help for you there. When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,   and all their plans die with them. -- Psalm 146: 3-4 (NLT)

Don't put your trust in mere humans.    They are as frail as breath.    What good are they? -- Isaiah 2: 22 (NLT)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord  than to trust in people. It is better to take refuge in the Lord   than to trust in princes. -- Psalm 118: 8-9

Hear me very clearly today beloved -- no political party cares about the cause of Jesus Christ. As a former political junkie I can tell you that both sides care about one thing and one thing only -- power. They will use whoever they need to achieve it, secure it and keep it.

So should we vote? Absolutely because it is a civic responsibility. It is not however a Christian responsibility. The truth is that politics has corrupted Christianity. Last night a Baptist preacher took to the national stage to promote a Mormon for president and the evangelical world barely blinked. This is not an exercise in saying one candidate is better than another. It is merely pointing out the absurdity of a Baptist preacher shilling for votes for someone who denies the deity of Jesus Christ! For someone who believes that we can achieve God-like status and be equal with God! If that sounds familiar it is because there is another fellow who believed such things in the Bible and his name is Satan!

Again, hear me very clearly, I am not advocating for either side -- nor do I think it is a proper role of any leader in Christendom to do so. I can give you 20 reasons why we should not vote for Obama and 20 reasons why we should not vote for Romney. Do not confuse the issue however; they will all be carnal reasons. We can dress them up with the name of Jesus but in the end they will not be of God. The Lord does not need your vote:

He said, "Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars. -- Daniel 2: 20-21 (NLT)

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. -- Romans 13: 1 (NLT)

God has a plan and it will not be changed by who you vote for. So what then is our responsibility? Our responsibility is to seek the Holy Spirit inside of us and be led to vote according to the Spirit of God -- without fear of condemnation. I say that because there are too many political operatives in Christian clothing these days. People who care about the cause of a party and not the cause of Jesus Christ. The reality is that I agree with many Christians who feel voting is now an exercise in determining the lesser of two evils. But we need to realize a couple of things along with that mindset.

The first thing is do not ever lose sight of the fact that you are voting for evil. Lesser evil is still evil beloved. There are far too many Christians who advocate for their side as if they have discovered righteousness in it. Man only finds righteousness in politics if he has pre-determined his cause to be righteous. This is where the key verse comes in today. As Christians, we should NOT be found calling evil good. The lesser of two evils is still evil. But God is still on the throne. Whoever is president is God's choice to fulfill God's plan. That means Barack Obama was God's choice in 2008 and George Bush was his choice for the eight years prior. Yes, that even means that Bill Clinton was His choice before that. It doesn't make them righteous; just who God allowed into power to accomplish His will.

Secondly, when we realize that we are seeking the lesser of two evils do not ever fall for the lie that somehow you will be judged on who you voted for. I have heard this twisted and contorted argument too many times. The notion that we will stand before Christ and have to answer for whether we voted for the pro-choice guy or the Mormon is patently absurd. Do not let anyone try and condemn you. Your vote is between you and God. Seek Him knowing that He will use whoever He places in power.

I say these things because the church needs to get back to being the church and leave the world to be the world. What did Jesus charge us with? I do not recall the parable of choosing the righteous presidential candidate. The disciples wanted Jesus to deliver them from their own political situation with the Romans but Jesus came to save them from so much more. God's plan is always so much more. It seems sometimes as if we get pre-occupied with trying to bring the morality of religion to the fallen world instead of the love of Christ. Realize that at its heart that desire is no different than aspiring to be God. We want to convict people of their sin, which is the role of the Holy Spirit. What we are supposed to do is show them love, witness about our lives, and point them to the cross. It is at the cross that they will find the forgiveness of God instead of the judgment of man. Voting is not a fruit of the Spirit. When Christ returns He is not going to want to review your voting record. He is going to review your walk and what you did with the talent He gave you for His kingdom. When you strip away all of the politics of man, the rhetoric, the lying, and the posturing -- then maybe we can start to see the politics of God. It is not found in political platforms and fancy speeches. It is not concerned about the economy, the budget, or even the wedge issues so many use to rally Christians to the polls. The politics of God are found in His Word, and I pray we would just look for them instead of looking for a Christian rationale to back up our desire to cast our carnal vote.

1) Taking care of the least. The number one theme in the Bible after salvation.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.' "Then these righteous ones will reply, "Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?' "And the King will say, "I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' -- Matthew 25: 34-40 (NLT)

2) That we should live a q uiet life, minding our business, concerned about how the world views us.

Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others. -- 1Thessalonians 4: 11-12 (NLT)

3) The reason why we need to be concerned about how the world views us is because that is how the land is healed. This verse says if the church would just be the church then the world would want what we have and THAT is how the land is restored.

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.   -- 2Chronicles 7: 14 (NLT)

4) That w e remember we are citizens of heaven. Be wary of those who are striving only for the preservation of what God has already said will pass away. If we would only be as eager for the things of God as we are sometimes for the politics of man!

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. -- Philippians 3: 17-21 (NLT)

5) To be s alt and light to a dying world. Not pepper and glitter (Thanks to Pastor Watson).

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. -- Matthew 5: 13-16 (NLT)

6) Genuine love for one another. Not allowing temporal matters such as politics divide the body of Christ.

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." -- John 13: 34-35 (NLT)

7) The Great Commission. Being about the Father's work.

Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." -- Matthew 28: 18-20 (NLT)

These things are the politics of God. Loving each other. Taking care of the least in society. Genuine repentance in the church. Salt and light to the world that is on the outside looking in. Having a heaven-based citizenship mindset -- valuing the eternal. Neither party cares for the cause of Christ. Don't allow yourself to be used. Pray in the Spirit and vote as God leads you, never losing sight that the lesser is still evil but that God is ultimately on the throne so there is never anything to fear.

Reverend Anthony Wade -- August 30, 2012

Authors Bio:
Credentialed Minister of the Gospel for the Assemblies of God. Owner and founder of 828 ministries. Vice President for Goodwill Industries. Always remember that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.