Teen Christian Debate

Whether you run for office or be a delegate to a national nominating convention, or become an active member of a political party or NOT, you DO enjoy freedom in the United States and, as a consequence, you have a responsibility. America’s claim to greatness and prosperity rests completely upon the Word of God, and it is the duty of every Believer to promote Biblical truths, for they have provided us with liberty.
          What would or nation be like today if our Founding Fathers had not firmly founded U.S politics and education on Biblical principles? Obviously these men did not intend for the Constitution to keep Believers in Jesus Christ from becoming involved in politics, for such intent would have contradicted their own actions. Most of them professed a faith grounded in Biblical principles and rooted in the belief that God governs the universe. Their faith and belief were motivated factors in their political actions.
          Perhaps you have heard people claim that Believers have no place in the political process; however, the involvement of the Bible Believers is vital to the spiritual and moral future of our nation. No excuse, no matter how valid it sounds, is justification for lack of personal participation. “I am too busy” is one excuse for avoiding one’s responsibility. “Everyone involved in politics is dishonest” and “One vote does not really matter” are others.

Let’s examine some other common excuses:

1.   “Separation of church and state” prohibits Believers from trying to influence public policy.

The First Amendment does not provide for separation of church and state; it merely prevents the government from establishing a national religion or prohibiting the free exercise of religion. Humanists and federal courts have twisted the concept of separation of church and state to mean separation of God from government rather than merely keeping the government out of church business. They have convinced many that the church should not expose corruption and immoral legislation and that Believers should not be active in politics. They insist that the moral standards of God’s Law, ON WHICH OUR GOVERNMENT WAS FOUNDED, have no bearing on the laws of our nation. That is neither the meaning nor the intent of the First Amendment.

 2.   I have only one vote, and it won’t matter anyway.

The political process has become corrupt because God’s people have not provided the moral conscience for our leaders. The participation of the Believers is not an option but is a mandate by both our citizenship and the Scripture. If our government is to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” every citizen has a responsibility to register, to be informed, to actively influence others, and to vote. It is a matter of fighting a spiritual warfare in the political arena. (Ephesians 6:12)

Until recently, all U.Ss laws were based on Scriptural principles; but today our legislators and courts are legislating immorality, and we are endorsing their actions with our SILENCE.

          “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” - Edmund Burke

Abraham Lincoln said, “He who affects public sentiment does a far greater service to society than he who enacts statutes.” We must encourage our nation’s leaders and its people to honor God and follow His commandments while we still have freedom to do so.

3.   The Old Testament commands and promises refer to Israel and not to today’s America.

The principles of God’s dealings with Israel also apply to the United States because those universal principals are based on His unchanging character and apply to all men and nations, regardless of their historical period or their form of government. God will bless any nation that acknowledges its dependence upon Him and obeys His commands. Our Founding Fathers honored God blessed the United States and elevated her from infancy to world leadership in only 200 years. In the last 30 years, however, America has forgotten God and forsaken His commandments.

4.   Jesus and His disciples did not try to change the un-Godly Roman government.

Jesus and the disciples lived under a totalitarian government, but we live in a democratic republic. Our Constitution guarantees us the right to participate in our government, and our laws are to reflect the convictions of the citizens. As the “salt of the Earth,” and “light of the World,” Believers have a responsibility to influence our government and its leaders. We have both the right and the responsibility to become involved in the political process and to put Biblical principles and values back into our governmental system.

” If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven , and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”- 2 Chronicles 7:14

Labels: Debate, Politics