“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3:12-14)
In 2024, every Christian can, by their prayers and vote and other support, help to select those who will be the presidential and congressional candidates for our two political parties. We will then choose among those candidates who will govern our nation.
I urge all Christians to embrace God’s Word as you participate in this process.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14) Without love you are nothing and gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3) Love is patient and kind, never arrogant or boastful, and does not insist on its own way. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5) Love rejoices in the truth, and never wrongdoing, but speak the truth in love because faith works through love. (1 Corinthians 13:6; Ephesians 4:15; Galatians 5:6)
Love is for friend, foe, and stranger – everyone God loves. (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 10:27) “… Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” (Luke 6:27-28) God wants all people to come to salvation, and so it is not God’s desire for anyone to “rot in hell”. (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) You will be judged with the measure you use to judge others. (Matthew 7:2)
Follow the Golden Rule by treating others the way you wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12) “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4) “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:16-18)
God created all humankind, male and female, in His image and likeness. (Genesis 1:26-28) All who believe in Jesus are one in Christ and heirs of God. (Galatians 3:28-29) Racism, sexism, and transgenderism are contrary to God’s Word and will.
Human life is precious to God and children are a heritage from Him. (Genesis 9:6; Exodus 20:13; Psalm 127:3) God knits every person together in their mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13-14; Job 31:15) Both child and mother are loved by God, and certain difficult situations require divine wisdom, but treating abortion as a “reproductive right” is contrary to God’s Word and will.
“Everyone who is arrogant is an abomination to the Lord….” (Proverbs 16:5) Godly leadership comes from a servant’s heart. (Matthew 20:25-28) “It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:12)
Seeking what you want by a lying tongue is a deadly snare. (Proverbs 21:6) “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord….” (Proverbs 12:22)
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil ….” (Isaiah 5:20) Was January 6, 2020 “a beautiful day” for our nation? Are violent riots and looting a godly solution to inner city problems? Those who approve of evil participate in it. (Romans 1:32) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
“… In the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his (or her) good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:13-18)
“When a man’s (or woman’s) ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Proverbs 16:7) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons (and daughters) of God.” (Matthew 5:9)
God bless you, our community, and America.