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I love the Restore Minnesota Mission Statement. Every phrase is intentional and has a rich depth of meaning. If the whole statement were to be honed down to one sentence, it would be
Restore Minnesota exists to restore righteousness in Minnesota
by promoting biblical citizenship.
The best way to demonstrate your biblical citizenship in the next few weeks is to use your voice and vote in this year’s midterm November 3 elections.
Why Vote?
Voting is not an option for a biblical citizen. It is actually an expression of partnering with God and being obedient to The Great Commission. Unfortunately, when it comes to voting, too many Christians prefer to practice The Great Omission.
Research indicates only 50% of Christians in America are registered to vote. Only 50% of those registered, vote. And, only half of those vote according to Biblical Principles. That means only 12.5% of Christians in America, less than 13 out of every 100, do their duty as citizens and vote for our leaders based on a Biblical Worldview! (See the chart below) Voting is not just a benefit of living in a free society, it is a duty as the citizen of that free society. So, not voting is dereliction of duty.
Dereliction of duty is sin.
Yes, it is a sin to choose not to vote. The Bible tells us we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20) who are called to be ambassadors to earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). That ambassadorship is a governmental rather than a religious term.
How will the righteous get elected if the people don’t vote?
The government in America is We The People. When “We” don’t show up, the unrighteous get elected. Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous rule, the people rejoice; When the wicked rule, the people groan.” How will the righteous get elected if the people don’t vote? How can God pick righteous people to run for office if the church doesn’t raise them up?
Where are the Pastors?
America was founded by the pulpit. For over one hundred years prior to our Declaration of Independence, it was the pastors of American churches who preached the biblical messages that led to separation and a new birth of freedom. Election sermons were normative and expected. Today? Deafening silence except from the few who understand and practice the role of the church in culture.
Where are our pastors today? Why do we remain silent? Do we not understand that silence is complicity?
God is the God of government. In fact, according to Isaiah 9:6, God is government and establishing earthly governments was His idea. Not to participate in His idea is an abdication of Christian duty.
Abdication is sin.
According to research done by George Barna, 86% of pastors in America refuse to help their congregants know how to vote. Over 80% of those congregants are asking for help. In what other area of ministry do over 80% of those in our churches get told “no” by 86% of their shepherds when asking for help? (See “Survey on Adult Churchgoers on Social Issues and Worldview, George Barna, FRC Center for Worldview, June 2023).
Pastors, I am one of you. It is our job to educate our congregations to be biblical citizens. We can do better. We must help our congregants know what the Bible has to say about issues such as taxes, abortion, immigration, euthanasia, sexuality, marriage, economics, healthcare and more.
Pastors, we are handing God’s sheep over to the wolves who will devour them. Why would we do that?
If we pastors don’t teach our congregants what the Bible says about these and other important issues, how will they learn the truth? Who will disciple them? Planned Parenthood? CNN? Fox News? Social Media? We are handing God’s sheep over to the wolves who will devour them. Why would we do that?
For those of you who don’t want to wait for silent pulpits to speak up, educate yourselves. Purchase the following books:
These resources will help you.
Finally, in order to get some help in taking biblical action, join or launch a Community Action Team (CAT). For information on CATs, go to RestoreMN.org and click on “Contact Us”. Fill out the form and we’ll get back to you.
We have a country to save.
Engage!!
Dale
Rev. Dale A. Witherington, Chief Steward
Restore Minnesota / Restore Minnesota ACTION
Dale@RestoreMN.org
www.RestoreMN.org |
