How Should A Christian Vote in 2012?

This will be the most important election in history to date.  At stake is the institution of marriage defined by God and NOT civil government is trying to be overturned by a small minority (homosexual, bisexual, etc) who seek to justify perverted sexual behavior by changing the definition of marriage.  My friends the family is at the core of society.  If the family breaks down society will break down. When laws are passed that violate God's word these laws and policies invite eternal laws to go to work. Laws which will end up causing the land to ultimately cause a people to lose their nation (see Leviticus 18).

There are also issues of life, truth, debt, and more laws which violate God's word.  All of these things invite judgment which harm a people and their land.

Sadly Many Called Christians Act Like They Don't Have a Conscience
We all espouse vote according to your conscience.  Sadly it is clear that many in Christendom act like they don't have a conscience or they are ignorant.  That should not surprise us as 1 Timothy 4:1-3 says "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,"  NKJV

How do I vote and use the privilege afforded to me in my nation?  How do I use my influence?  How do I make decisions?  Well I can tell you this I don't care about a candidate's color, race, party or any other external issue as much as I care about what the Bible says.  I vote the Bible.

Resources: 
Click here for Obama, Romney & Other: Who Should Christians Vote For in the 2012 Election.  By Stephen McDowell.
Click here for Moral & Spiritual Issues in the 2012 Election by Dr. Wayne Grudem.  This study illustrates the liberal and conservative view of moral issues today and in the middle lists the scriptures.
Click here - Preserve Marriage and Reject - R74
Click here for Washington State Prayer Targets

Here are some of the core issues and what the Bible teaches.

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First, recognize that it take more than just people praying to save a nation (2 Chronicles 7:14).  It takes righteous laws too.  There are examples all through Kings where wicked kings enacted policies that "caused Israel to sin" and hastened the terrible judgments on their nation. 

Psalm  94:20-23
Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law,  Have fellowship with You?  They gather together against the life of the righteous, And condemn innocent blood. But the Lord has been my defense, And my God the rock of my refuge.  He has brought on them their own iniquity, And shall cut them off in their own wickedness; The Lord our God shall cut them off.  NKJV

The obvious answer is no.  The laws of iniquity will not have fellowship with God. Therefore we need laws that line up with God's word so it invites a blessing.  So we pray God, give us righteous leaders.  Leaders who will pass laws that honor the eternal principles of God's word.

Major Issues - Sex and Marriage - Shedding Innocent Blood of the Unborn/Elderly & Israel
But,  I can still love the sinner that is bound in adultery, fornication, sexual immorality, or homosexuality yet contend strongly to see righteous laws put into place to protect the family.  God in His love set these boundaries because He knows the harm that occurs when you enter into intimate relationships without covenant.  He knew about the health consequences of these life styles and the cost to society.  Leviticus 18 says that if these sins persist in a land eventually the land will "vomit the inhabitants out."

I am all for people loving each other but we must protect the institution of marriage. Marriage was an institution ordained by God and administered by the Church.  Actually civil courts don't have any real jurisdiction here.  It has been infringed upon by civil government over the last 150 years.  Prior to that there was no question.

Another sin in Leviticus 18 mentioned along with the sexual sins above deals with the sacrifice of children to Molech. That is the shedding of innocent blood. This error also invites the land cause a people to be expelled.  Laws that support abortion must be overturned and laws that protect life of the innocent unborn and the elderly enacted.

Finally, there is Israel.  The bible is clear.  Any nation or people who try to divide the land of Israel will suffer God fighting against them.   How foolish is that?  Any nation that blesses Israel will be blessed.  We need to stand with Israel.

Questions
What do you do if there is not a Christian to vote for?  - First, I don't care if a candidate calls himself/herself a Christian or not.  I care about what they believe and do based upon their actions and policies.  There are many people who have called them self a Christian and in actions betrayed Christ. 

Some have said, "I can't vote for a Mormon or a Muslim."  You are not voting for Bishop or an Imam!  You are voting for a President.  Government is a different sphere from religion.  The question is, where do they stand on these moral issues? 

Do they support the traditional definition of marriage as defined by the Bible, between one man and one woman? 

Do they support protecting the life of the unborn and the elderly? 

Finally, do they stand with Israel?

Candidly, there are more issues I care about but these are priority.  You'll never get a perfect candidate.

More Wisdom & Scriptures

Proverbs  22:7 - ... And the borrower is servant to the lender.  Debt is enslaves people.

Proverbs 25:28 -  Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.  Personal character is important

Proverbs 29:2 -  When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan. 

Proverbs 18:17 - The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him.  There are two sides to each story.  Do your due diligence and learn about the issues and candidates.

What to Pray for Government Leaders?

First their salvation:   1 Timothy  2:1-4
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. NKJV

If they won't accept Jesus then pray God would move on their heart like the Lord did with King Cyrus.
Proverbs 21:1  The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 

Finally, if their hearts are not open to the Lord and they enact laws that violate God's word I pray:
Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few, And let another take his office.