Christian Nation

Have you heard someone say, "If we just had all Christians in office, everything would be fine"? Or, perhaps, you've heard someone say, "I won't vote for someone who is not a Christian."

If you are a Christian, you probably would understand the sentiment. Personally, I think that anyone who will not vote should leave the country. After all, one vote can change everything.

That being as it may, consider with me, if you will, what we are saying. Christians and Jews both know that God's Word tells us that "when the righteous rule, the people rejoice." This is pretty much the basis for our thinking concerning politics. It's a good basis for considering political candidates thoughtfully and carefully. Personal integrity, or the lack of it, always shows up in the seats of power.

But, what are we saying when we only consider "Christians" as viable candidates? We are saying that they are all the same. We are attributing to them certain character traits that we deem admirable and beneficial to society. We are even assuming that all who say they are Christian really are. We are assuming that all "Christians" think alike and believe the same thing.

The problem with this kind of thinking is terribly flawed. What kind of "Christian" are you looking for? Most likely, you are looking for one who believes as you do and will reflect your point of view. It sounds great on the surface but is really quite impractical.

For instance: If I say that I am a Christian, I will, most likely, be embraced by all who believe that they are Christian. If I say that I am a Pentecostal Christian, I will lose at least half of those who once embraced me as a member of the faith. In today's society, if I say that I am a Fundamental Christian, I will probably lose fellowship with an even larger segment of those who profess to be Christian. And so it goes.

You see, we are as different from one another as we are from every other segment of society. Which "Christian" viewpoint will be exercised in governmental office? Will the rights of some be overlooked at the expense of others? How large a segment of our society will a politician be able to represent? I submit that he, or she, will only be able to represent those who put him, or her, in office and that, dear one, will be the majority.

What we are really looking for is integrity and a basic belief in those things that are most important to the well being of the people who make up our society. We may not be able to get a perfect match to who we would like to see in office, but we can see to it that we get the best match possible.

Then, our right and privilege is to consistently prod those we have elected to lend an ear, and their interest, to what is important to us. Letters, requests, emails and phone calls will remind them that we put them in office and want viewpoint to be considered along with everyone elses.

As I have put forth in my book, "Integrity - the Last Great Battle," Xulon Press, As a Christian, my main consideration should be to consistently reach more people with the Gospel. That will eventually change everything.