Hi friends! I have made no secret of my belief that every Christian must engage their faith in every area of life, including civic involvement. Beyond that, I believe America will have very little, if any, influence on the world stage when Israel is attacked by the Russia-Iran-Turkey coalition described in Ezekiel 38-39. Our nation’s influence for good is quickly waning and if that is to change, it will come only if we Christians commit to live out our faith in the public square.

Today, I’m borrowing from the American Family Association’s iVoter Guide President, Debbie Wuthnow, who has timely remarks regarding our religious freedom:

Why should you care about the growing attacks on our religious freedom? If your church or family hasn’t been impacted, why should you care?

Because the First Amendment’s emphatic protection of religious liberty is the key to upholding all our other rights. If it falls, every other freedom may tumble with it.

Think about this: A government that supports freedom of religion acknowledges that man is not the highest authority. That kind of government is more likely to restrain itself from infringing upon free speech, self-defense, and other rights that God has given us. 

The Bible gives support to the concept of religious liberty. For example, Jesus taught that we should “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). The phrase “the things that are God’s” means that government should respect our right to practice our religion. (See who does and who doesn't.)

While Caesar’s image was on the currency, God’s image is on us (Genesis 1:26). We are accountable to Him for our beliefs and actions that stem from those beliefs—and government should honor that.

That’s why the First Amendment to the Constitution says, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;”

Does that mean anyone can do whatever they want in the name of their religion? Is the government, as some claim, not allowed to stop the murder of an unborn child if it occurs as part of The Satanic Temple’s religious ritual? 

No, there are boundaries even to religious freedom. The founders of American government—who wrote and ratified the First Amendment—affirmed the principle that God has given government authority to “punish those who do evil,” such as murder (1 Peter 2:14). They clearly believed that God didn’t intend religious liberty to be a license to do evil.

It is of paramount importance, therefore, that each of us knows how our candidates define good and evil and whether they understand the authority and limits of government. As God said in Isaiah 5:20,23, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil … who acquit the guilty for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of his right!”

Whether we like it or not, campaigns for office are already underway and many are vying for your vote in upcoming primaries and, ultimately, the general election in November 2024. May I encourage you to engage in the process? As frustrating as the shenanigans have been in past elections, we MUST NOT throw in the towel and refuse to vote. Please commit yourself to vote and to take a stand for righteousness.

No one is guaranteed victory, but we will guarantee the defeat of morally-sound candidates if we fail to vote. Let your faith be known at the ballot box and in the public square. Boldly take a stand. Faithfully engage in the process. Obediently be a good steward of the responsibility God has given us.

The results are then up to Him!