Pastor Barry Cook,
Ambassador Family Church, Oceanside:

As Christ’s representatives, we are under a divine mandate to be “salt and light” (Matthew 5:13-16). Election times are great opportunities for the voice of righteousness to be heard throughout our land. It is vital that people of faith be led by the Spirit of God to vote for those candidates that are best able to uphold righteous values.

As Americans, it is our honor and duty to vote. As Christians it is our responsibility to vote according to biblical standards. When Christians stand in their God-given authority and not only vote, but pray the will of God into the outcome of that election, they have the opportunity to affect both the natural and spiritual realms of government.

Now more than ever it is absolutely critical that Christians be registered, be informed and vote. Our charge is not to vote Republican or Democrat, but according to godly principle. By our vote we say that the sanctity of marriage is more important than the raising or lowering of taxes. Our nation was founded on Christian principles and those same principles must be maintained by our vote! “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice” (Prov. 29:2). “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord!” (Ps. 33:12)

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Pastor Larry Warner,
Scripps Mesa Bible Church, San Diego:

I believe Christians should vote. However, our responsibility does not begin or end there. We are urged to pray for our leaders, even — or maybe especially — the one’s we dislike. Also we must resist the temptation to put our hope in a politician, political party or piece of legislation. There is no political party that is entirely God honoring and Christ affirming. Paul reminds us, “the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world.”

We must exercise caution when it comes to politics. When the cause of Christ is wrapped in an American flag or the rhetoric of a political party it can cause others to become deaf to the gospel message. It is God’s love flowing through us that is the change agent for this world. Please vote and then pray for your leaders and love others, especially the least of them, as Christ loves you.