Cast Your Vote!

By Del Duduit

Next Tuesday is election day.

The political climate is tense at the moment and there is unrest in our society.

Both sides need to tame down the rhetoric and work for the betterment of our great nation.

But should Christians get involved in the process?

This has been debated for many years and with several different opinions. I’ve heard it from both sides. I’ve been told that religion and politics don’t mix.

I believe a Christian SHOULD be involved in politics and government. But let me advise and say you cannot let it take over your life. We also cannot hold politicians up higher than God. It’s not for everyone.

The first priority for a Christian is to live for Jesus and be a solid witness. After that, a Christian can use the political arena to do great things for his or her community and for this nation.

After all, two of God’s greatest commandments is to: 1) love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul and mind; and then 2) love thy neighbors as thyself — according to an excerpt from Matthew 22: 34-40 KJV.

If we love the Lord and our neighbor, then shouldn’t we want to protect our neighbors and ourselves and our family as much as we can? One way we can do this is to be involved in the political process and do our best to protect our inalienable rights and freedoms.  No other country has this wonderful opportunity.

The church as a whole stood by and watched on January 22, 1973 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that the court “affirms the legality of a woman’s right to have an abortion under the Fourteenth amendment to the Constitution.” Now, we protest. That’s an admirable thing to do after the fact. I’ve even participated in the National March for Life in Washington, DC.  If more Christians had been involved back then, it might not have happened. But we will never know – it may have come out the same. I’m not blaming Christians for that ruling, but my point is we need to be more involved so things like that won’t happen again.

On June 25, 1962, the church was caught off guard when the U.S. Supreme Court decided in Engel v. Vitale that prayer could not take place in public schools because it violated the first amendment. Now we see the mess our schools are in today.

How could this happen? It happened because it was allowed to happen. We dared them to do it – and they did.

My wife and I have always been involved in local politics. Angie serves as an office for our local Right to Life chapter and I have been a member of the Scioto County Republican Central Committee for more than 20 years.

Over the past six years, I have served as the county chairman for my congressman, Bill Johnson (R-Marietta). He fits the description why Christians need to be involved in politics. He makes a difference and holds God up for everyone to see.

Bill stands with Israel and is endorsed by Ohio Right to Life. He is defender of the Second Amendment and cares about the people in his 6^th District. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and supported President Trump’s campaign from the first day.

Over the past few years, I have dined with Bill in Washington D.C., served pancakes with him at a VFW and marched with him in parades in Southern Ohio.

I have erected dozens of signs for him throughout my county and introduced him at large fund raisers. He stands for and defends my beliefs.

Next Tuesday, Angie and I will be at his headquarters when he wins re-election to represent my district in Ohio in Washington D.C. He is a friend.

Two years ago I listened to some people who go to church complain and say that they could not support Donald Trump for president. There will never be a perfect candidate. But you have to look at the entire picture. President Trump has appointed two conservative justices to the U.S. Supreme Court and stands with Israel!

Rev. Franklin Graham said President Trump has done more for the evangelical Christian than any other president in history.

Just because he is not a Biblical scholar should not prevent  you from voting for him – or voting at all. A Christian SHOULD vote. They should love their neighbor enough to protect them – and in this case by going to your polling station.

Pray, educate yourself on candidates and issues and vote. 

Christians should never bury their heads in the sand. I gave two examples earlier of what happens when we do that.

If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord they God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need. In that which he wanteth. (Deuteronomy 15: 7-8)

I’m encouraged by people like Bill Johnson who stand for what is right and does not back down from his convictions.

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This is not a lecture at all, it’s only my opinion and my blog. It’s a challenge for all Christians to at least care enough to vote in the next and every election. Anything additional that you can do is encouraged and appreciated.

Make sure to vote next Tuesday!

Let me know your thoughts on this post.

Del Duduit is an award-winning writer and author who lives in Lucasville, Ohio with his wife, Angie. They attend Rubyville Community Church. Follow his blog at delduduit.com/blog and his Twitter @delduduit. He is represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary Agency.

His first book — BUCKEYE BELIEVER – 40 Days of Devotions for The Ohio State Faithful –can be purchased on Amazon here.