As many of us approach election day here in the USA, I thought I would pass along to you some really healthy and sound advice. But first, let me share some of the best advice from God’s word found in I Timothy 2:1-3 from The Passion version.

 ^1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

Some very sound advice:

• I can deeply love people with whom I strongly disagree. I refuse to demonize any politician who is made in the image of God.
• I have enemies and Jesus gave me power over them on the cross, but my battle is NOT against flesh and blood.
• When you call someone by an evil name…you have decided that you know their heart. But, the Apostle Paul said, “Who are you to judge the servant of another?”
• Associating with, or serving political people, should not be confused with embracing their ideologies. All political offices deserve to be honored according to Romans 13.
• I am commanded and called to pray for my leaders. If I don’t pray for them, then I don’t have a right to critique their success or failure.
• My first allegiance is not to a political party but to the kingdom of God.
• I cannot separate my spiritual views from my political views because the government of this world is being affected and infected by the invisible realm.
• Great government doesn’t take away the right of people to sin. It does however, protect people from sinning against others and teaching people to do so.
• It’s not the responsibility of government to Christianize the world. That’s the church’s job.  Jesus rules the nations with a rod of iron, but He leads the church with a shepherd’s staff. (Bullet points written by author Kris Valloton.)

Lastly, let us keep in mind the innocent in this election, for our vote matters to them. The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “This is God’s message: Attend to matters of justice. Set things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don’t take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering!” (22:3, The Message)

Let’s prayerfully walk out this election like our first allegiance is to the kingdom of God and not to a political party.