By Pastor John Brito

Are you disappointed with this year?s presidential candidates? Having trouble deciding who to vote for or whether to even vote at all? Well, you?re not alone. But I would like to offer some perspective that hopefully will help you come to a decision regarding the upcoming election and provide you with some reasons to vote:

Our loyalty must first be to Jesus: He is Lord so our loyalty must be first and foremost to him. Philippians 2:10 Says, ?that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.? (NLT) Everything we do should honor him and promote his Kingdom values. This includes voting. Casting our vote is one way to extend his Kingdom here on earth.

So even if we are disappointed with the candidates, we should carefully examine the values that they promote and determine which values are closest to that of the Kingdom. We should let this inform our decision.

There is a lot at stake in this election: We hear this in every election cycle, but this may be the most important election of our generation because the U.S. Supreme Court is at stake. There is currently one vacancy and there may possibly be two more to fill during the tenure of the next president. As you know, justices are appointed for life, which means that the next president will appoint justices to the highest court that will make rulings that will impact American life for a generation to come. Sitting on the sidelines may not be the wisest thing to do.

Voting is a right that people have died to protect: With all the problems that America has, this is still the greatest nation on the face of the earth. And we have the right and privilege to participate in the electoral process; a right that others have died to defend. We shouldn?t give up our vote just because the candidates are a disappointment.

We need to speak up for those that can?t: Proverbs 31:8 says, ?Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.? (NLT) As citizens we have a voice and we need to use our voice to speak up for the voiceless, the oppressed and the marginalized. We may not agree fully with the views of each candidate or with their party?s platform. But we can be a prophetic voice that speaks truth to power and bring focus on the plight of the voiceless. Speak to your government, both state and federal, and voice your concerns. Then cast a vote for the candidate that will help bring justice to those being crushed.

Having a voice also means that we can speak to our political party and voice our concerns and objections to some of the stances they are taking. We can work from within our party to effect positive change. But we must speak up.

Vote your conscience: Ask yourself this, as you consider each candidate. If either candidate wins, how would their administration affect our religious freedom? How would their social agenda promote or go against our values? How would the voiceless, the crushed and the marginalized be affected under their administration?

As believers, we must have a biblical worldview. This means that the Bible should inform how we view the world. Our conscience and our worldview should inform how we vote.

I hope you found these points helpful and I hope to see you at the polling station.

I would like to hear from you. What other points would you offer? Please share.