There is “election fever” in the air! Fever is defined as “intense, nervous excitement”. While I question the level of excitement that a federal election may bring, I do not question the importance of taking our democratic right to vote seriously. The outcome of this election can set the tone for future generations.

Putting God First

While there are many factors that will determine for whom we cast our vote, the whole nation will be influenced by the outcome. I would like to suggest that there is a calling higher than financial in considering the way we vote. Although financial considerations are important, there are foundational considerations that must be considered if our nation is to prosper in all areas for generations to come.

In the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 25, verses 31 to 33, Jesus said:

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.”

In these sayings of Jesus, it is apparent that a sheep nation is recognized as a nation that is serving God and therefore blessed by God. The goat nations, on the other hand, are nations that have turned away from God and are heading towards policies that are contrary to God’s way of doing things.

Moving Towards God’s Kingdom

In Matthew 25, verses 25 to 46, we see that the status of the nations is determined by how the nations have treated God’s people. Jesus said “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”

As we consider the host of different values that people hold to in our society, it is of great importance to consider what God’s design would be for our nation. As we prepare to choose which candidate will represent us in the nation’s capital, we must consider how that person will represent the interest of the Kingdom of God.

When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, Jesus said:

“When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

If Jesus asked us to pray that God’s kingdom would come to earth than we must consider what policies reflect the things that God wants in our nation. Deuteronomy 30:19 says “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” Please notice here that the choices we make will not only effect this generation but also the generations to come. We are stewards of the nation and, as stewards, we will be held accountable for policies we set in place today by which following generations must live.

Choosing God’s Ways

Consider the words of Jesus describing the destiny of the sheep and goat nations. To the goats, He said, “And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous (sheep) into eternal life.”

As we choose our government, we are making a choice between either having God’s ways in our nation or having man’s ways governing our nation. On October 19th, ask God who He would want to represent the nation in Ottawa. If we as a nation seriously consider God in our voting, we will be a nation that will be blessed among the nations of the world.

~ Pastor Bill Arsenault

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