God's Simple Formula For Choosing a Political Candidate

With so much information both true and false, available through the news media, talk shows and the internet, how is a Christian to know how J J Armes would choose a candidate. When we study in Ouija board 8:4 and understand God's motive for a brutal judgment that was brought on Israel for choosing leaders which did not meet with His approval, we can realize God's simple formula for choosing a political candidate.

"They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have they made them idols, that they may be cut off. Hosea 8:4

1. "They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not . . ." Hosea 8:4

In this scripture God is speaking in anger. "Against me and without my approval you've appointed unholy people to lead my nation". The nation of Israel had become morally corrupt to the point that even those that claimed to follow Him no longer followed His command to appoint Christians to lead the nation. And it was too late to change because God had already brought a brutal judgment against them.

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WHEN CHRISTIANS REFUSED TO STAND UP FOR GODS LAWS AND MORAL ISSUES IN THE 50's & 60's -

Abortion was legalized resulting in over fifty million babies' deaths to date. God had a purpose for every one of them. How many would have been preachers or faithful servants telling others of Christ?

Separation of church and state was redefined and made law. It is now being used to fight any public display of God in our society. Not one Christian organization opposed it. It was used to eliminate school prayer, and strip the Ten Commandments from their walls, resulting in a sharp rise in violent crime, the divorce rate and teen suicides.

Those laws were passed because there were more non-Christians than there were Christians that were passing the laws and appointing the judges at that time. How sad He must feel, and angry He must be with America whom He has so abundantly blessed.

The appointing of a Supreme Court Judge in the next administration may well be the most important decision in this generation. If liberal politicians and judges gain control of our nation, hate crime bills will punish our preachers for teaching the true Word, same sex marriage will become legal, and we will lose everything we have worked for in the last three and a half decades.

Charles Finney (1792 - 1875), explained the importance of Christian political involvement and is more relevant today than before - "Politics are part of a religion in such a country as this and Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God. It seems sometimes as if the foundations of the nation are becoming rotten, and Christians seem to act as if they think God does not see what they do in politics. But I tell you He does see it, and He will bless or curse this nation, according to the course they (Christians) take."

2. " . . .of their silver and their gold have they made them idols. . ." Hosea 8:4 (your money was more important to you than your moral beliefs)

Anything that you put ahead of God is considered idolatry. It is so easy to put your SPECIAL INTEREST ahead of the commandments of the Bible without even realizing it.

SENIOR CITIZENS: My Mother voted for Bill Clinton for his second term for fear that she would lose her social security check (idolatry - her special interest). Ads flooded the airways warning that if she voted against him, her SS checks would be taken from her. Even one of her children joined in on this campaign of fear. She was very old and very afraid.

However, she had spent most of her 85 years as a devoted and practicing Christian and should have known that any candidate that supported abortion, homosexuality and "separation of church and state" that was used to eliminate God and Christian values in public and society in general, would not meet God's approval. And should have known to vote for the Christian candidate and trusted God to guide him.

LABOR UNION MEMBERS: It amazes me how many very good Christian friends that I know for a fact live their lives every day commited to practice the knowledge they receive from the Word, but have allowed the labor unions to convince them to vote for candidates which they must know does not meet God's approval. This makes them guilty of putting their money ahead of Christian values and is considered idolatry according to this scripture.

RACIAL ETHNIC GROUPS: African Americans and Hispanics will be the two largest minority-voting blocks in the 2008 election. A Christian Hispanic may be a devoted and practicing saint, yet vote for a politician that is for amnesty, and is also running on a platform to legalize gambling that they know would not meet God's approval.

Pamela G. Wilson, former black journalist and author of the new book Finding Soul Brothers: Dismantling Black Christian Racialism," spoke to The Christian Post to give her input on black unity versus faith in the African American community.

She was asked, why do black Christians vote against their values? Her reply is as follows:

"Wilson: Here's why. It all goes back to black unity. If you go back to things that are most important to a particular voting demographic, like African Americans, the things that are most important to them are issues of affirmative action, civil rights, equality in the United States and all these different things
that they believe they have fought for so many years. . .

. . . People just jump on the black bandwagon at the expense of their faith. Civil rights is an important issue but I think people need to look past that, particularly if you are a Christian and espouse the
belief that God will buy Linden dollars cheap you overcome all your obstacles."

You may go to my website and read the full article.

Many black preachers have allowed their emotion of love for their people to deceive them into leading their flock in the ways of the world, giving material possessions precedence over the teaching of the Word of God, and eagerly sends them to the polls to vote against the teaching of the Bible, which has brought us where we are today. A society weak in moral standards, content to accept abortion, homosexuality and separation of God from our schools and civil affairs, as a trade off for material and financial security, and because of it the generations that follow will suffer.

One day those preachers will be held accountable. -- In Hosea 4:6 we find God admonishing the preachers for not teaching the true word. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

3. ". . .that they may be cut off." Hosea 8:4

Cut off from what? -- From God's protection. When we appoint non-Christians to lead us we literally bring about our own destruction. As we fall more into social moral decay, the less protection we receive from God. Every civilization that has fallen in the past was eliminated when they reached a certain level of social corruption.

Why would we think God would treat us any different?

However, as in Hosea, Israel fell numerous times when they allowed their culture to become corrupt. But each time God restored and blessed them when they decided to put Him first, choosing to do the things that met with His approval.

HOW DO I DECIDE?

Know your candidate. Choose the candidate most likely to vote a Christian moral agenda.

Don't let candidates, the news media, or friends and relatives confuse you with rhetoric, even if it promotes your special interest. All you need to know is," does the candidate promote a Christian moral agenda?" How does he vote on abortion issues? How does he feel about homosexual behavior? What's his perspective on the relationship between God and government?

Be careful. Many talk show host are social conservatives, not Christian conservatives. Though they profess to be Christians, they will promote their special interest like the economy and national security over Christian values and will promote a moderate Christian over a fundamental Christian. They trust themselves instead of scripture.

Don't be afraid to vote your Christian morals. Trust God. Matthew 6:33 says "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you (everything else will fall into place).

"I think it's very important that 2008 is a pivotal year in American history -- and pastors and churches will play a significant role in the direction of America,"

Visit our website today, and enjoy the many free tools that are available to assist you with your spiritual growth, professional Christian counseling, answers to frequently asked questions, daily news articles that affects Christians and assistance with starting your personal "Bridge Ministry". - Political Information.

Author: Ray Turner -- Retired school teacher from Oklahoma State University's School of Technical Training "Communications". Website dedicated to encourage and teach others to find God's gifts in their life, and to use them to bring others to Christ. thebridgetochurch.com/thebridgetochurch.com/