By Dr. Mark Creech
Christian Action League
November 8, 2016
The great William Jennings Bryant once said, “Destiny is no matter of chance. It is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.”
Today is Election Day. And make no mistake, today we will choose a destiny.
Even the choice not to choose will have its consequences.
The Scriptures warn us, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34). At the heart of America’s greatest problems – the reason we are subject to careening over a cliff, can be found in our rejection of God and his way. If our destiny is to be an exalted one, then we will need to personally choose him, as well as to choose leaders that will choose his way.
Here are a few very important races to consider as you head to the ballot box today.
The Presidential Race
There has never been a greater contrast between two Presidential candidates and their vision for the country than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump. Although Trump is not everything that conservative Christians aspire for in a candidate, he at least has promised to safeguard and defend much of what we value, our religious liberties being paramount. On the other hand, Hillary Clinton has promised to work against the things we value.
The U.S. Senate Race
In the race for the U.S. Senate Seat, representing North Carolina, Richard Burr for more than a decade has demonstrated his commitment to conservative values, with a few exceptions, while Deborah Ross was a lobbyist for the ACLU and one of the most liberal members of the North Carolina House. The late Dr. D. James Kennedy used to refer to the ACLU as the Anti-Christian Liberties Union.
The Gubernatorial Race
The race for Governor is a contrast between one man, Pat McCrory, who has truly succeeded in making our state’s economy one of the fastest growing economies in the nation, while his opponent, Roy Cooper, wouldn’t even do his job as Attorney General, refusing to defend our state’s laws, whenever he and not the courts, would rule them as unconstitutional. The Bible teaches that a servant that doesn’t do their job, one that hasn’t proven himself faithful, shouldn’t be promoted to a higher one.
The Lieutenant Governor’s Race
Lieutenant Governor, Dan Forest, who is running for re-election, is the real deal – a genuine follower of Jesus Christ – and a statesman. On the other hand, what does it say about Linda Colemen, who is also running for Lieutenant Governor, and unwilling to answer questions for the North Carolina Family Policy Council’s, impartial, non-partisan Voter Guide?
The North Carolina Attorney General Race
In the race for N.C. Attorney General, candidate Buck Newton, as a state Senator, was a staunch advocate for the issues dearest to the hearts of Christian conservatives. Josh Stein, during his tenure in the state Senate, was just the opposite.
Justice on the N.C. Supreme Court
The race for the seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court between Mike Morgan and Bob Edmunds has largely been overlooked, but it is still a critical one. Morgan says his judicial philosophy is much like that of Justice Kennedy on the U.S. Supreme Court. Kennedy, mind you, wrote the ruling that imposed same-sex marriage on the country. Edmunds has been a proven conservative on the State Supreme Court for 16 years. The loss of his re-election would give a 4-3 majority to liberal justices that could put much of the state’s progress in jeopardy.
Candidates That Support HB 2, “The Bathroom Bill”
Remember those lawmakers that have shown incredible courage by their support for HB 2, the bathroom bill – a common sense measure that protects a person’s fundamental right to privacy, as well as keeps the government from forcing Christian business owners to abide by policies which are a violation of their deeply held religious beliefs. Lawmakers running for both the N.C. House and the Senate, who support HB 2, have stood with us. The ones who voted for it have wrongly suffered the abuses of gay activists, Leftists celebrities, corporate entities, sports organizations, and a grossly biased media that smeared the bill and their good names. Wouldn’t it be wrong, even sinful, if we failed to stand with them now?
This is not to say that there aren’t other important races, but these are exceedingly important.
Addendum: Alcohol Referendums
Alcohol referendums are also taking place in a number of places across the state. At the heart of most arguments for passing an alcohol referendum is a false promise – that a culture can drink its way to prosperity. Alcohol referendums are fool’s gold. Whether you believe it is right or wrong to drink alcohol is not the point. The science over the years is conclusive: increasing alcohol outlet density will cost a community more in social problems than it will ever gain in revenue. It is just good public-policy to say, “No.”
Don’t forget to pray and ask God for his grace and mercy on our state and nation before you vote, perhaps even while you vote. Ask the Lord to direct your vote for righteousness sake.
As we choose, the destiny of our lives and that of our children and grandchildren are likely to be affected for many years to come. We need to vote wisely.
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The remarks in this article do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Governing Board of the Christian Action League. Neither are they an official position by the Christian Action League, but the opinion of the writer, Dr. Mark Creech.