A Christian Approach to the 2016 Presidential Election

As a child, I remember hearing so many adults warn me to never speak of money, politics or religion in public circles, out of respect of others’ opinions.

But, I’m afraid times have changed.

Today, our nation is overflowing with individuals drowning in debt, with no light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe, if there were more healthy discussions about money, this crisis could have been at least tampered, if not averted.

Politically, polls repeat time after time that millions of Americans feel let down and disenfranchised from the people they have elected to run this country of ours. Maybe, just maybe, if 30 years ago, people had taken the time to properly discuss today’s issues, there would be less separation between the State and those living in the state.

And when it comes to religion, as Mark Steyn put it, the culture that “means it” eventually wins… so, with the rapid spread of Islam across the world, it begs the question of “Do we Christians really mean it? Or do we only mean it enough to speak about God within our comfortable Christian circles?

Now, I bring this up, because today, with the advent of Social Media, it seems like that old idiom filled with social graces has been flushed down the world wide toilet. Today, with the boldness brought on by “Twitter-goggles”, we can say whatever we want about whoever we want whenever we want.

Which brings me to the 2016 Presidential Election cycle.

All over social media, my feeds are filled with just about every perspective across the left-right spectrum. I’m friends with “Trump-ettes”, follow “Feel the Berners”, in Google circles with “Pick an Hispanic, Any Hispanic” voters, and I even see Pinterest posts touting “Hillary for America”.

What kills me is the unintelligible, ironic and idiotic rhetoric being thrown around… especially from my fellow Christ-followers. There is some real, genuine garbage being thrown around, and not just from Lefties to Righties, but from within the same bullpens.

So, as I take a few steps back and begin to wonder how on earth I can make sense of all this to my kids, I am hit with a revelation: All throughout all my social media timelines and feeds, I read several general trends in what people are saying we Americans need in a leader. There is more commonality in these trends than one might think.

Here are just a few:

• We need someone who uncompromisingly clings to truth.
• We need someone who doesn’t care about political correctness and tells it like it is.
• We need someone with a vision for the future.
• We need someone with a proven track record of getting things done.
• We need someone who will look out for us and compassionate to those in need.
• We need someone who represents US… each individual.

What I find most amazing is that, as Christians, we already have this Leader.

Seriously.

When asked about truth, Jesus Christ said:

“For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” (John 18:37)

When it comes to political correctness, Jesus broke the mold. He was a well-followed rabbi, yet he dined with sinners and tax collectors. Instead of kissing up to the religious leaders, he called them fools, snakes and hypocrites. Jesus told it like it was!

If you’re looking for a vision for the future, simply turn in your Bible to the pages just before the maps. The Book of Revelation has Jesus’ words explaining exactly what’s in store, as He told His Apostle John,

“Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. I am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Write down what you have seen—both the things that are now happening and the things that will happen.” (Revelation 1:17-19)

Looking for a proven track record? Most of today’s politicians have been in “the game” of public service for 20-40 years. That’s a good start. How about 2,000 years?

Hoping for a leader with compassion for those in need? Look through every history book that has ever been written and you won’t find a more giving, benevolent, loving or generous human being as Jesus Christ.

And, finally, when it comes to the hunt for someone who represents each and every individual, with their heart, soul and mind at the forefront of their priority list… how about caring so much for every person who has ever lived, is currently living, and will ever live not only in the USA, but the entire globe… to the point of giving up His own life in order to provide each person with the ultimate Get Out of Jail Card. As Bible-believing Christians, we know that Jesus, the sinless Son of God, gave Himself as the single atoning sacrifice for our sins – your sins, my sins… all of our sins.

So, what I’m saying is this: as Christians, Jesus Christ set the perfect example of what we should look for in a leader, no matter what party you’re signed up with. We now have a precious few months to choose a President. As John Stonestreet recently said,

“I know there are people out there who say, ‘We aren’t electing a Pastor-In-Chief’, and I agree. But, we are electing a leader, and character matters in any leader.”

So, what I believe we should each do is this: Use Jesus’ standard as our measuring stick and prayerfully select which candidate measures closest to that bar.

Are any of them as good as Jesus? Heavens no! That’s impossible.

But, I will say this, my wife used the same type of system when prayerfully looking for a man to marry. Did I measure up to Christ’s standard? No. Flat out no. But, she did see in me a Godly character and a heart that would strive toward pursuing God’s will for my life and career.

I would hope for at least that much from my nation’s leader.