New Jersey US Senate Special Election: The Party of Jesus

I believe that we vote on the beliefs and premises that our candidates will take. We know they can’t keep promises for tangible courses of events but they should keep to the thought process and character integrity that they advocate during an election. In other words we vote by matching their opinions versus our own opinion.

Today is my state’s special United States Senate election to fill the vacancy left by the untimely death of our Senator Frank Lautenberg. Consequently, Lautenberg’s position falls into Class 2 of the United States Senate so whomever wins today will have to run again next year in November 2014. I believe that we vote on the beliefs and premises that our candidates will take. We know they can’t keep promises for tangible courses of events but they should keep to the thought process and character integrity that they advocate during an election. In other words we vote by matching their opinions versus our own opinion.

The Christian’s Political Opinion
The intersection of politics and religion is an incredibly sensitive topic. Within the scope of Christianity it’s even more hotly debated and comments are made like: “You can’t be real Christian and vote for ________”. Where you can fill in the blank with a noun from the category of the candidate’s name or the political party itself. Within the past few years the Republican party has historically aligned itself with Christian voters since it’s candidates are usually pro-life and for traditional marriage. But was that all Jesus was about? The truth is that neither party makes Biblical stances against all issues. Christians are then forced to rank the truth of the Bible and or use a weighted approach and see which candidate computes a higher Biblical score. Does God rank his truth?:

“Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)

“For whosoever keeps the Law [as a] whole but stumbles and offends in one [single instance] has become guilty of [breaking] all of it.” (James 2:10, AMP)

Every single commandment and truth that God spoke to us is equally important. There is no hierarchy of sins and no political issue that weighs heavier than the rest. The Christian’s opinion should be non-compromising and reflect the total truth of salvation and character of Jesus:

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6, ESV)

What would Jesus do?
The party of Jesus does not exist in America. Many Christians would like for it to exist, yet we can’t come together and make it happen. The Jesus party is threatening to some and hope for others. Some Christians believe such a party would mix church and state and cause a Christian theocracy. However I see such a party as being like any other political party that operates within the framework of the US Constitution. The Jesus Party is simply a coalition of politicians who have the following stances on popular issues:

• Pro Life (Psalm 127:3, Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 25:22)
• Pro Traditional Marriage (Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:22-23)
• Pro Social programs including affordable health care (Isaiah 58, James 1:27, Matthew 25:35, Proverbs 28:27, 1 John 3:17-18,Romans 12:20, Acts 4:32)
• Fiscally Conservative (Romans 13:6-8)
• Pro Environment (Genesis 2:15, Psalm 24:1)

Voting in the NJ US Senate Special Election
What then shall we never vote? No, we must vote. Until the Party of Jesus arises I will continue to apply my weighted algorithm. Where I choose the candidate that takes the most Biblical stances. Based on information from Cory Booker’s website and Steve Lonegan’s website, I will vote for Steve Lonegan. Moreover I will pray for whomever wins:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NKJV)