A CHALLENGE TO VOTE

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A CHALLENGE TO VOTE

To say this feels like 2016 all over again would be an understatement. Another pastoral interim. Another contentious election season. And another opportunity for us as a church to remain united by the gospel and engaged in the mission of the church.

But as a church seeking to remain united, there can also be a temptation to retreat from any issue that might be considered controversial or divisive – to remain silent when we should speak up. And at times, there can be a fine line between what seems to just be politics and what is actually discipleship and therefore important for shaping our members as followers of Jesus.

While we must be cautious to not allow every issue to elicit a collective response from us as a church, there are times when I believe the church should speak with clarity and compassion, as there have been too many times when the church in America has failed to do so.

I believe Amendment 4 is one of those issues. As Christians, we don’t allow our culture or our politicians to delineate what’s off-limits for our biblical convictions. And the sanctity of human life, especially the unborn, has always been a theological and moral issue long before it became a political issue. This isn’t about advocating a partisan position but affirming a biblical position.

Any cursory review of the criticisms of Amendment 4 will reveal its deceitful nature and evil intent: to repeal all current restrictions on abortion, to prevent any future restrictions, and to make these changes nearly unassailable within the state constitution. Abortion would even become the only medical procedure for a minor that doesn’t require parental consent.

For those who may be concerned that weighing in on this issue sets an obligatory precedent to address a wider array of contentious issues, there are several factors that set this issue and this amendment apart from others. First and most importantly is the clear and unambiguous teaching of Scripture on the sanctity of human life and our obligation to protect the most vulnerable and innocent among us. Second, advocating for the sanctity of unborn life is directly addressed in our church’s approved statement of faith: “We should speak on behalf of the unborn and contend for the sanctity of all human life from conception to natural death.” Third, the passage of Amendment 4 is literally a life and death decision by the voters of our state for potentially 40,000 unborn children each year -and for generations to come.

We have a congregation filled with many members who are actively engaged in the political process and on the front lines of this and other important issues. While it’s difficult for me to imagine that anyone could be ambivalent about this year’s election, I recognize that some voters may feel discouraged by the candidates they’ve been presented with and thereby tempted to skip the polls altogether on Election Day.

No one speaks more loudly on behalf of the unborn than the church, and we need every Christian to make their voice heard this year. Every indication is that the vote on Amendment 4 will be especially close. Even if you’d rather check out of the whole process this year, I want to challenge each of you to prayerfully consider what’s at stake and to vote for life.

If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. Rescue those being taken off to death, and save those stumbling toward slaughter. If you say, “But we didn’t know about this,” won’t he who weighs hearts consider it? Won’t he who protects your life know? Won’t he repay a person according to his work?
Proverbs 24:10-12

There is much more at stake in this year’s election than just the question of abortion, and I hope that each of you will be just as diligent and prayerful about every vote you cast. But I also pray that we don’t wake up November 6 and wish we’d done more.

Josh Hall
Josh Hall, Interim Senior Pastor