camel eye

“The simple believes everything but the prudent looks where he is” (Prov. 14:15).  Wise advice.

As we vote for the candidate most politically like us, what are we really after?  We will never agree with everyone on everything but the common goal is an exalted nation.  We want a leader to lead us to exalted nation status.  “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Prov. 14:34).  “A throne is established by righteousness” (Prov. 16:12).  In my human viewpoint, I’ve been looking in the wrong place.  I was worried about tax policy, foreign policy, economic stimulus, and VP qualifications.   From a divine viewpoint, I should be looking for righteousness.  A candidate tuned in to God is always going to be the better choice.  Not just a Christian, but a man who seriously seeks God’s will.

What is a righteous man?  “John came to you to show you the way of righteousness”  (Matt, 21:32).  “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17).  “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ” (Romans 3:22).

God’s choice is the righteous candidate.  Not the perfect candidate.  Not one over another because there is an “R” or a “D” after their name.  He wants the one tuned in to Him.  The one He can work with.

How do we know a righteous man?   Our hearts are known by our actions.  But, in a political campaign, the clowns will tell us whatever we want to hear whenever it is convenient for getting another vote.  Personally, I ignore what others say about them and look directly at what they say and write.  Preferably, what they say and write before the campaign starts.

In this election, we do have a clear choice regarding righteousness.   Consider these quotes and writings of our two candidates, with names omitted, and see if a righteous one emerges:

When asked pointedly, “is Jesus Christ your personal savior?”, candidate responded, “I am a man of faith. I have deep religious beliefs and values.”  Righteous or not?  I don’t hear “yes” and Bin Laden also has faith and deep religious beliefs and values.

“And during the course of that sermon, he introduced me to someone named Jesus Christ. I learned that my sins could be redeemed. I learned that those things I was too weak to accomplish myself, He would accomplish with me if I placed my trust in Him. And in time, I came to see faith as more than just a comfort to the weary or a hedge against death, but rather as an active, palpable agent in the world and in my own life. It was because of these newfound understandings that I was finally able to walk down the aisle one day and affirm my Christian faith. It came about as a choice, and not an epiphany. I didn’t fall out in church, as folks sometimes do. The questions I had didn’t magically disappear. The skeptical bent of my mind didn’t suddenly vanish. But kneeling beneath that cross, I heard God’s spirit beckoning me. I submitted myself to His will, and dedicated myself to discovering His truth and carrying out His works.”  Righteous or not?

Regarding baptism, one candidate says “I’ve been in discussions with Pastor _____, and we’ll continue those discussions.”  Righteous or not?

“It means I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and that I am redeemed through Him. That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis. I know that I don’t walk alone. But what it also means, I think, is a sense of obligation to embrace not just words, but also through deeds and expectations that God has for us. And that means thinking about the least of these - acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God.”  Righteous or not?

Righteousness exalts a nation.