Friends, In my short time on this earth I have seen amazing things, almost unbelievable developments and incredible changes in our country and indeed in the world. Television only came to South Africa when I was six years old. I remember clearly the test pattern and TV viewing only started from five PM in the evening and finished at midnight, one night English TV and one night Afrikaans. Up to that time we had a projector and would hire movie reels and screen movies on a Sunday afternoon projected onto our lounge wall. This was our treat and not only our family but others joined us on Sundays to watch movies. Then came the Betta-max video machine which revolutionized movie watching, and VHS came out and while Betta-max was a superior product for some reason became obsolete and VHS became the new norm. We went from tapes and LP’s, to CD’s and MP3’s. We went from leaving our empty milk bottles outside and Philips or Nels Dairy delivering milk to our homes every morning to massive chain stores like Pick N Pay and Checkers. I remember all shops, even petrol stations closing by five PM every day and closing at one PM on a Saturday and only re opening on a Monday morning. If you didn’t have all you needed you would have to ‘suffer’ it out until the Monday when everything reopened. Now everything is open seven days a week and some stores even remain open 24 hours a day. We have also seen incredible changed in our political landscape in South Africa. I was six years old when the Soweto Riots of 1976 took place, I was unaware of injustice and inequalities in South Africa. But as I grew and gradually began to become aware of my own prejudices and the difficulties that South Africa faced because of the evil of Apartheid. Friends while I can refuse to take responsibility I know that I grew up privileged while others suffered, I know I must take responsibility for my privileged life while other suffered. Things gradually begin to change, Nelson Mandela was released and in 1994 we had our first free and fair elections. It was a tumultuous time for SA and the only reason we did not end up in civil war was due to God’s intervention. The elections went off well and the future was looking bright for our Rainbow Nation under the governance of Nelson Mandela. Since then as we know things have changed and we face some real giants, education, crime, corruption, health care, economic mismanagement and so much more. In a nation where 77% of people call themselves Christians, we have a very long way to go. Crime, corruption, perversion and more rule. Our president a man of questionable values, morals and integrity, being ordained by some pastor somewhere as a minister of the gospel. I have lost count of how many wives he has, and how many corruptions charges he has against his name. Not that I am perfect or have it all down pat, but if we apply biblical values and the criteria laid out in scripture for what characteristics a leader should have, how is that something that could even be contemplated? This week is election time and on Wednesday we all get to cast our votes for our municipal elections. I have always been interested in the political landscape and I have a passion for truth and justice. I am concerned for the well-being of our nation. I take voting seriously, as should you. But I value God’s kingdom over the kingdoms of this world, I also value my calling as a son of God, a pastor and team leader over being a citizen of South Africa. I know we can really stir up a passionate discussion over the corruption, mismanagement and sometimes downright racist policies of our self-serving government. I don’t want to do that, because that can often blur the lines between political desires and biblical priorities. What is it we as Christians should then do? Well let’s look at what the original manuscript has to say about all this. 1st AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS WE ARE CALLED TO INFLUENCE THE SOCIETY WE LIVE IN: Mat 5:13-15 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (14) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. As Christ followers we are called to influence the world around us. The same way that salt flavours food. Without salt food is to use a Cypriot word, ‘Neroto’, it is watery, tasteless. Seasoning makes food taste so much better. As Christians we are called to influence the world around us in a similar way, our influence should make the world around us a better place. As Christ followers we are called to be the light of the world. Don’t hide your light by being quiet, by going along with the crowd, by not speaking out against injustice, we are called to be beacons of truth. We should be a light showing the right path that people should take and we do this by our living example and by speaking the truth. Given that thinking, surely we should vote so our influence could affect changes to make our society a better place for all. If we as Christ followers make no effort to affect the world around us, of what value are to the advancing cause of the kingdom? 2nd AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS WE ARE CALLED TO PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS 1Ti 2:1-3 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- (2) for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. (3) This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, We need to earnestly pray for our government, that God would place Godly men and women of character and integrity to lead our nation. Paul says we should lay our requests before God. What type of leaders are we asking God for? He says we should intercede for our leaders, yes while we may not feel like praying for them, we must. Jesus died for them as well. I pray that Jacob Zuma would have a powerful encounter with Jesus and be transformed through the power of the Holy Spirit into the leader that God has for him to be. We are called to pray for all people and for those in authority. But Andrew, why should I pray for our government? They are as corrupt as the day is long!! Well Paul lays it out for us, “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” I am not sure about you, but I am definitely keen to live a quiet and peaceful life 3rd AS CHRIST FOLLOWERS WE ARE CALLED TO ELECT LEADERS WHO ENDEVOUR TO LIVE OUT BIBLICAL VALUES IN THEIR PERSONAL LIVES
We are looking for leaders who live out and reflect a Christ follower lifestyle and character. Eph 4:24-28 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (25) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbour, for we are all members of one body. (26) "In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (27) and do not give the devil a foothold. (28) He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. In Christ we are created new, to live righteous & holy lives. Speaking the truth, dealing with anger and not stealing. Working hard to help those in need. Obviously there is so much more but we could start with this scripture from Paul as we look to those we are about to elect. As you are about to cast your vote, perhaps ask some questions about the leader’s lifestyle, you could ask: Who do they worship? Do they recognize God and does God have His proper place in their lives? Do they take the time to worship the living God, with God’s people? Do they take their family relationship seriously? Do they value human life? Do they take their marriage seriously and are they faithful to their spouse? Are they people of integrity, honour and character? 4th THE LEADERS WE ELECT SHOULD MIRROR BIBLICAL VALUES IN THEIR POLICIES Is the leader concerned with the biblical understanding of the family structure? Gen 1:26-28 Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life-the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals." (27) So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them. (28) God blessed them and told them, "Multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals." Is the leader concerned with the sacredness of human life from conception to death? Psalm 139:13-16 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. (14) Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous-and how well I know it. (15) You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. (16) You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. NLT Does the leader understand the importance of a God-Centred world view? Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. It is worth asking some questions about the leader you would like to elect. You could ask things like: Does this person uphold the biblical definition of marriage?
Does this person defend the right to life of the unborn, the sick and the elderly?
Does this person seek to follow biblical values and a biblical understanding of leadership in governing, or do they look to compromise to the wants of those who reject God’s values and leadership? So does this perfect leader even exist? What are we to do? How do we vote? First and foremost, I believe that we must worship God and bow before Him and His sovereign will. Trusting that He will guide us according to His plan. But this does not release of from exercising our responsibility, taking action and voting. We acknowledge that Christ is King and that His Kingdom and already and not yet. We live in a fallen world. The Kingdom has not yet come in its fullness but we are citizens of that kingdom and should understand that our actions and choices can make a difference. If we can recognize that the Kingdom has come, but has not yet fully come and the fact that we live in a fallen world, we will understand that the perfect leader does not exist this side of heaven. So I believe we should choose to vote for the lesser of two evils. We must understand that all men are flawed and all men hold beliefs and positions that don’t fully reflect Christ or biblical values. But we do have to choose. And who do we choose? I believe we should choose the lesser of two evils. Who of the prospective candidates reflects Jesus and the biblical values of the kingdom better? We will never find the perfect candidate, but there will always be one who reflects more of Kingdom life than the other. That is the person to vote for. You may find this difficult but remember as an anon person said "Not only are the choices imperfect, but so also is the chooser." Pray with me for our nation and get out there and vote! Agape Andrew | 
