Will you sin in the voting booth? ~ By Dave Welch

Commentary from WorldNetDaily

By Dave Welch

Posted: January 16, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010

As we roll rapidly into 2010, it is incredibly obvious that we are entering a critical election year – not that every election year isn't. As has often been said, elections are not so much a test of the politicians as much as a test of the people. What will our grade be this year?

We don't have a political equivalent of the PSAT, so I will propose some pre-exam preparations for every God-fearing citizen. Just like those intimidating final exams in high school and college, we had better show up having spent some time in the books.

First, we must do a personal and collective "heart exam." The difficult truth is that most people who call themselves Christians do not think biblically in relation to critical decision making in their families, professions and citizenship. In fact, according to researcher George Barna in an interview about his book "The Seven Faith Tribes: Who They Are, What They Believe, and Why They Matter," "The Casual Christian tribe is especially significant because it represents a huge majority of the nation's population – two out of every three adults."

What is a Casual Christian? His definition is summarized with, "spiritually middle-of-the-road, perhaps even ambivalent about their faith." I was taught early in my Christian walk and in political involvement that there are only two things in the middle of the road – yellow lines and road kill. We also call them moderates.

As a case example, consider "pastor" Joel Osteen who, while standing firmly on the yellow line, asserts through his spokesman that Houston's lesbian Mayor Annise Parker, "… says she's a believer. Let her stand before God; that's kind of where Joel is. … He's not going to tell homosexuals they can't come to our church. If the Holy Spirit convicts them, then they'll change," although "…the pastor himself has never specifically called (homosexuality) a 'sin …'"

My Bible calls such Yellow Stripe Christianity "lukewarm," and if you want to know the reward for that path read Revelation 3:16.

The opposite of this category in Barna's research is the Captive Christian. I guess I would be guilty of fitting into that category as, "focused on upholding the absolute moral and spiritual truths they glean from the Bible." The fact that the majority of those identifying themselves as Christians do not accept "absolute moral and spiritual truths" is undeniable proof that most pulpits are not delivering even that basic function.

For those who do accept that there are such standards, we are a minority, so it is all the more deadly serious that this remnant be faithful in being on the "offensive" in every aspect of our lives – in love, grace and humility. Even if the Captives only represent 10 percent of the population, that is three to four times that of the "Try-sexual" movement. They have just been more passionate, dedicated and effective in changing the world than we have.

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