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Dear friends:

As Christians in this political season, we need to make sure we have a godly perspective and do not bury our heads, thinking that we are "too spiritual" to be involved in the mundane process of electing officials.  As a reminder of our duties Christian citizens, I remembered the below two articles by Dr. Bill Bright, the late Founder and President of Campus Crusade for Christ International.  I hope you will find them helpful and inspirational.

Dr. Bright distilled these articles from his popular booklet, "Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen," available at http://www.campuscrusade.com/nlp_christian_living.htm

Be blessed,

Jim
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From the late Dr. Bill Bright:

Duties of Christian Citizens
 

Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2, NLT).

Dear friends:

Our hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ and not in national governments.  However, in whatever government God has placed us in, we are to pray for our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and be good citizens (1 Peter 2:13-15).

For those of us blessed to be placed in a society with political freedom and the privilege to help select leaders through voting, we have a special obligation.

Concerned with complacency by many Christians, years ago I published a little booklet titled, "Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen."  We are still distributing it today, as its principles are timeless.  In it, I quote the great evangelist Charles Finney, who in 1855 wrote: "The time has come that Christians must vote for honest men and take consistent high ground... Christians must do their duty to the country as a part of their duty to God."

The first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Jay, said, "Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it the duty -- as well as the privilege and interest -- of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers."

Voting for and supporting moral candidates who support moral public policies are the minimum required of Christian citizens in a system of self-government.  Godly people must vote for godly rulers.

Christian lawyer Michael Whitehead put it this way: "If America is to be saved, saved Americans must lead the way."

Mark Twain understood the importance of a Christian's responsibility as a citizen.  He wrote, "A Christian's first duty is to God.  It then follows, as a matter of course, that it is his duty to carry his Christian code to the polls and vote them... If Christians should vote their duty to God at the polls, they would carry every election, and do it with ease... it would bring about a moral revolution that would be incalculably beneficent.  It would save the country."

Would you like to help save your country?  In my next letter, I will share your five duties as a Christian citizen.
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What Christian Citizens Must Do
 

When the godly are in authority, the people rejoice (Proverbs 29:2, NLT).

Dear friends:

In my last letter, I mentioned that some years ago, concerned with complacency by many Christians, I published a powerful little booklet titled, "Your 5 Duties as a Christian Citizen."

It is important that I summarize those five duties with you:

1. PRAY.  Pray that God will send a great spiritual awakening to America.  Pray for God's promise to heal a repentant nation according to 2 Chronicles 7:14.  Pray without ceasing that God will move on the hearts of leaders in office, and that He will put godly leaders in office from the precinct to the White House.  Pray that God will use you to be a witness and as an instrument of change.

2. REGISTER TO VOTE.  If you are not already registered, do so at once.  In some national elections, as well as for local offices, the winner is elected by a very small number of citizens because most did not vote.  To serve God as a citizen, you must be a regularly participating voter, and you cannot do that without registering.  Voting is a matter of stewardship.

3. BECOME INFORMED.  Just as an untrained soldier is at the mercy of the enemy, so uninformed Christians cannot prevail against evil forces in the world of politics.  Here are some ideas: Read about the issues -- many sources of information are available; organize, lead or participate in a study group to inform yourself about the structure of government, the issues, the candidates, and their views.  But knowledge must result in action...

4. HELP ELECT GODLY PEOPLE.  Help elect men and women of God to public office at the local, state and national levels.  Support them faithfully throughout their terms of public service by lovingly sharing with them the biblical views on the issues, praying for them, and encouraging them.  Help support righteous rule, which brings rejoicing:  "With good men in authority, the people rejoice; but with the wicked in power, they groan" (Proverbs 29:2, LB).  Another way you can help is by being a precinct volunteer.

5. VOTE.  Your one vote carries as much weight as that of a billionaire, a corporation president, or a top government leader.  Vote consistently in every election.  Exercise the influence God has given you through our unique system of self-government.

By God's grace, and with your prayers and efforts, we can help restore biblical moral and ethical standards in our nation.

Yours for fulfilling the Great Commission
each year until our Lord returns,

Bill Bright
 
 

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