How's that workin' for ya?

The inevitable finally happened today, Senator Rick Santorum suspended his bid in the republican presidential primary. Whether you supported him or not, you have to give it to him for coming so far while polling at 1% a week before Iowa.



For a while I was a big supporter of Santorum and even gave my first political donation to his campaign. After a while that waned as he showed some significant challenges. So then I joined the Ron Paul bandwagon. I had some problems with him as well, but I respect his consistency. After watching a debate where he seemed wobbly on whether the morning after pill (which may be responsible for many more murders that all other types of abortion put together) should be illegal I had to pull my support.



So now here we are with Mitt Romney as the presumed nominee. I know many dear friends that will continue shouting Ron Paul from the top of the lungs until November (spamming and annoying others to the point that they refuse to even consider Paul) but rationally speaking that is over.



I'm left with quite the predicament. I consider the Obama administration one of the most tyrannical in the history of this nation. President Obama has helped wage class and race wars since taking office. So it makes perfect sense to then vote for the person most likely to defeat him right?



A year ago I would have said yes straight away, but now I'm not so sure. It's not that I think the answer is no, but probably for the first time in my life I want to really weigh out my options before checking beside the “R.”



If I compare Romney side by side with Obama then Romney wins hands down, but if I compare him to the Bible then he fails miserably.



In no way do I believe that one must be perfect to vote for them, but I think their may be some realistic standards we should hold.



The real challenge we have in setting such a standard is that an elected government official is not spoken of in the Bible. Scripture gives many exhortations for appointing elders and deacons but is pretty silent on officials elected by the people. There are no governmental democracies or republics spoken of in Scripture (yes, Rome was a republic, but that aspect is not spoken of in Scripture).



So then what can we look to for guidance? Well I think there are certain areas of Scripture we can look at for idea. Ultimately I would say that whomever one votes for is not a matter of sin, but rather wisdom. So if a friend votes for Barack Obama, I don't believe he is sinning to do so, but he may be foolish in doing so (just as I may be for voting for Mitt Romney).



We know all authority is ultimately given by God. That means whomever is elected is truly in God's power. We can also understand that we have a unique responsibility to take part in that, but after it is all said and done elections fall just as God's sovereign will proclaimed that they would.



We also know that just because it is part of God's sovereign will that it doesn't necessarily fall under his moral will. God put many evil kings in place for a time over Israel and Judea to discipline His people, but His true desire was always for their repentance.



With all of that said here are some of my big hesitations with voting for Romney.



1. Inconsistency on issues.



I would rather support a man I disagreed with on issues than a man I can't figure out his stance. At least then I know where to stand guard. With Romney you just don't know what you're getting.



"What you are in public will never blind God to what you are in private." - John Blanchard



2. Romneycare



I have no idea how he side stepped this during the primaries. The majority of the nation was furious over the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) but yet we just welcome in the architect of the idea. Sure, what is allowable on a state level is different than a national level, but socialism is socialism no matter the scale.



3. The complacency of Christians when a republican is in office.



I'm not a Bush hater. I respect many things about the man, but he greatly expanded government's role and deficit during his tenure. When someone with an “R” by their name is in office Christians tend to stop paying attention to what is going on and blindly support whatever they say. This leads to bills like the Patriot Act and No Child Left Behind passing with nary an objection. With Obama in office many more are alert and with a Republican congress it is hard for him to achieve much.



4. Do we really want 8 years of Romney?



Four more years of Obama is pretty bad, but if we elect Romeny that is at least eight more years before we have the chance to elect a great leader.



5. Can I really prop up Mormonism?



I'm sure some will consider this bigotry, but since it's founding Mormonism has been considered a cult. They have so many heretical doctrines I won't even try to talk about them, but they absolutely are not Christians (something Joseph Smith used to state emphatically). Can I really vote for a cultist in good conscience? Does that not make the cult more main-stream and possibly lead people away from the one true God? I love freedom, but freedom is found in truth. That is something neither of the main candidates understand.



6. Has voting for a mediocre candidate really achieved anything?



It so often seems like we come back to voting for the “lesser of two evils.” Every time we vote it seems we're just holding our nose and keeping the vomit down as we select a candidate we don't really want. Don't you ever just get tired of it? Our society just keeps sliding down hill and instead of saying “I stand with a righteous man to rebuild the foundation” we say “at least we only fell a couple feet this year.” Is this really what I want to do all my life? Check beside the lesser demon?



Considering those objections what then are my options?



Abstain from voting for president.



I could just decide not to even bother voting for the office of president. Millions around the country do it every four years. Yet, I truly believe in the responsibility of the republic to be counted. So I don't think this is a great option.



2. Vote for a third party or write-in candidate.



Many consider this the same as not voting or even voting for Obama. I don't see it that way. Sure, a third party candidate is very unlikely to win, but a strong third party candidate in one election can lead to a great opportunity in the next. Maybe if we stood behind a godly man this election, though he may lose, we will have a great opportunity in the next election. Perhaps.



3. Hold my nose and vote for Romney.



I may end up doing this, but as of now I truly feel as though it would simply seer my own conscience to do so.



Conclusion:



I still don't know where I fall on any of this. I don't think either option fits into the scope of God's revealed will, but most likely one will be our president for the next four years. It could happen that God miraculous save either or both of these men and draw them to true repentance. It could even happen that a strong third party candidate does win. I have a feeling both of these would come as a result of a national repentance, so amen to that idea.



I certainly have to definitive answers right now, but I'm happy to at least think about these things. I know many will disagree with me on these issues and will hold to ABO “anyone but Obama” and I understand that. I'm surprised I'm not in that mindset myself. But instead of just being against Obama I'd rather stand for something and I think that something is found in the someone of Jesus Christ. I can't guarantee I'll make the perfect decision in voting, but I know that keeping my eyes on Him instead of the letter beside someone's name as I once did will bring Him much more glory.



To God be the Glory,



Jason Vaughn

Ron Paul and Homosexuality

With a another presidential election year upon us the informed public will once again begin to debate a myriad of issues from war to welfare to apparently contraception though how that topic made it to a national debate seems questionable.

One topic that will be in many circles is homosexuality. One candidate above any other seems to be a sticking point in that debate is Congressman Ron Paul of Texas.

Ron Paul, who claims to be and seems to be by many accounts a conservative evangelical Christian is a center of this debate because his stance seems a bit hard to nail down. He has said he believes “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” was a fair military policy though he has no interest in reinstating it as president, he believes states can vote to allow or ban homosexual marriage and does not support a marriage amendment to the constitution, and he doesn't believe other states must recognize those marriages.

For a republican candidate he seems to have gained quite a bit of support from the homosexual community (thought there is quite a bit of hatred thrown at him as well) and is supported by a strict conservative Christian homeschool community as well. It truly is an odd coalition.

Beyond those aspects what makes Paul even more controversial on this issue is that according to an interview in 2007 Paul alluded to the idea that he believes homosexual persons are born gay and that while he understands many people call homosexuality a sin he is not willing to, nor would he say that God calls it a sin.

From the interview it seems Paul's main point about homosexuality was it was more complicated than a simple yes or no.

For this reason many Christian conservatives have stated they cannot support Paul.

In this post I'd like to take the time to briefly explain why he is right and wrong in his stance.

Paul is really making 2 statements about this. First that people are born homosexual and second that because of this homosexuality is not a sin.

I want to look at them separately. The first question would then be is homosexuality nature, nurture, or a choice people make? I would like to make the argument that it is a combination of nature the environment one is raised in.

I understand many people will disagree with me on this, but please hear me out.

Ask any homosexual person whether they were born gay or not and you will generally get a definitive yes. Most people don't want to be outcasts or go through discrimination often from friends and family. It makes no logical sense to say someone would choose to be gay. There are some instances I've seen where a teenager will take on a flamboyant persona purely to gain attention and with shows like Glee making Coming Out the “in” thing we may see more teens doing it, but historical this is not the case.

Many homosexuals admit to these feelings from a very young age at the same moment their peers are becoming attracted to the opposite sex.



More importantly, the Bible seems to say this as well. We were all born in sin, and even conceived in inequity. From the moment of our conception to birth we are in rebellion to God according to Scripture. This has effected the whole earth as it groans and is fallen. If you need proof that sin effects our body then consider the effects of gluttony and slothfulness. Sins which I have committed and the effects are clear. We have this lie indoctrinated that we were born perfect, but the Bible tells us just the opposite.

So yes, I do believe it is part of the nature a person is born with at least the tendency is there. This is also in combination often with the environment someone with these tendencies is raised in.
There seem to be three factors that play into this as well.

1) Sexual abuse. I've never met a homosexual lady that at some point wasn't sexually. Sadly, this is often by a relative or family friend. This is also the case for many gay men.
2) An early introduction to pornography. As the ease and access of porn grows this is an increasing problem as it brings young minds to sexual thoughts and images their body and brains are simply not ready to handle.
3) And the greatest environmental factor is often a dysfunctional or non-existent presence of a father in their lives. So they never see what healthy normal relationships should look like they seek out someone else to fill that. They try to love the love of other men of flee men completely.



So considering those environmental factors it is no wonder we have such a prominent rise of homosexuality.

So to Dr. Paul's first point that homosexual persons are born that way we can agree, but does that mean that mean homosexuality is not a sin?

No! I tell you emphatically no! Why do I say this? Because homosexuality nor any other sin has ever been a sin because of biology. It is a sin because a holy creator God has declared it to be so.

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
(1Co 6:9-10)

The Bible is clear, not only here but in other places that homosexual practice is sinful.

There are all kinds of practices that the New Testament condemns that modern science has found a biological aspect too from excessive gambling to alcoholism. Murderers have even been show to high elevated testosterone levels.

This is where Dr. Paul gets it wrong. He talks homosexuality as though if people are born that way it is an automatic excuse.

Straight men are born with a broken sexuality as well that causes them to sin in lust, but we don't accept it as normal for married men to commit adultery.


A broken world does not give us reason to believe the Bible is wrong, but to believe it is right. That this world is effected by sin and in need of a savior.

I truly hope Dr. Paul and others will see that and base their beliefs on the Bible, and not experience. Only one is perfect and unchanging.

Until then Conservative, Bible believing Christians will each have to make a decision of consciousness whether they can support Ron Paul for president. Personally, with the choices before I have decided I can and will pray he change his mind on this and other issues I disagree with him concerning.

But beyond politics there is something each of us must consider. 1 Cor 6: 9-10 tells us the first part of the story, but it is the next verse that truly changes everything!

And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(1Co 6:11)

This is the promise of the gospel of Jesus Christ! No matter who you are, or what sins you've committed the Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man took the punishment for all those who repent, turn from their sin and trust in Him.

Whether you're a homosexual person, or a heterosexual person you were born in sin and have broken God's law, but Christ is your way out from under the judgment of God.

Repenting and trusting in Christ doesn't mean you won't sin,but it does mean God has given you a new heart and this is one that longs after Him.

It's not about being straight or even being good, but about trusting in Christ. He alone is worthy.

Responding to Rutgers

A great tragedy occurred this week at Rutger University, but I believe an even great tragedy may have played out in the responses to the tragedy.

For those that are not aware, a freshman at Rutgers was secretly filmed by his roommate having a homosexual encounter and posted the video online. The young man that was filmed was so distraught that he committed suicide and the roommate and a female accomplice have been arrested.

It truly is a tragedy all around and on so many levels. It is also a tragedy that hits close to home. Both as a Christian who has been in the homosexual lifestyle and as someone who has contemplated suicide on numerous occasions I, in some way, can relate to what the young man went through. I have also been reminded this week how close another friend of mine who was outed in college could have come to a similar end.

So many emotions went through me when I read about what had happened. I was saddened by the suicide, by the roommate and accomplices betrayal, and that our culture is such that we find entertainment in the outing of anyone in this country. I was also angered for all the same reasons. I even felt a little bit of anger towards the victim for taking such a way out.

My emotional horror was compounded all the more when I began to read the comments concerning the story. Most were of sympathy and those comments I understand, but there was a large amount of other comments as well. Some of the comments were about how sad it is that people are ashamed of their sexual and how they should just be okay with being gay. Many of these comments included helplines for LGBT teens. The other side of the comments were ignorant jackasses who tried to use the Bible and the name of Christ to boast in the young man's death. Nothing makes me madder than people using to name of God to hate their neighbor.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a conservative Bible believing Christian to the core and I do indeed believe that homosexual practice is wrong, but I take no joy in anyone's death for my desire is repentance and faith for all who will.

That is really where the fork comes into play. The message the Christian should be sharing in tragedies such as this is not either of the above options.

First, we must hold true that all have sinned and that we all deserve eternal punishment. What we need is not a self-help program so that we can see ourselves in a better light and love ourselves for that would be a lie. We should understand that we truly are filthy and wretched before a holy God because of our sin whether that sin be homosexual practice, theft, lying, or hatred of our brother. We are all worms deserving of God's fury and wrath.

Second, we must proclaim that God in His infinite love for His people sent His son, Jesus Christ, to take our punishment for those sins through His death on the cross. He died on that cross, but rose again three days later to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.

Third, we must shout that this God is so kind and loving that not only will He forgive your sins, past, present, and future, but that He will also deliver you from you shame. He died that you might be His.

People in sin considering cutting, or drugs, or suicide, or anything else don't need another inspiring pep talk. They need the Christ , the living God.

The challenge we will face when we tell people that truth is that we can seem opportunistic and taking advantage of a tragedy, but what else can we offer hurting people besides the only HOPE, Jesus Christ.

How great is our God that He not only takes away my sin, but my shame over that sin as well. He is truly worthy, deserving of all our praise.

So I beg of you to point people to that Christ. If you don't know for sure that you know Christ then run to Him with open ares he is waiting for you.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at any one the ways below.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Jason Vaughn,

HigherHopeBalloons@Gmail.com

http://Twitter.com/JasonVaughn

http://Facebook.com/RepentAndBelieve