Well, my friends, the race is on. . . .

McCain/Palin
       vs.
Obama/Biden

Hold on to your hats. Buckle up your belt. And make sure your shoe laces are knotted up tightly because it's gonna be a quite a competition.

- How should Christians respond to the debates about to take place?
- Who should Christians vote for?
- When does involvement in politics become too much involvement in politics?
- Where is the line between important issues and unimportant issues?

Well, the answer to all of these questions, surprisingly, is the same: It depends on how God is leading you. It's not about how he is leading someone else. We each must stand or fall before our own Lord, who is our Master: "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand" (Rom. 14:4).

So, at the outset, let us not judge each other, argue with each other, or despise each other if we find a brother or sister who disagrees with us about the absolute, perfect, God-chosen candidate. There is no such candidate, until of course, a president is finally chosen—at which time we will then see who must have been God's chosen candidate:

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him" (Daniel 2:20-23).

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1).

Next, we must remember to keep a loose hold on this world because this world is not the Kingdom of God, which is where we have our primary citizenship. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place"(John 18:36).

So, let's make sure to keep focused on the Kingdom of Heaven, and our primary calling to be ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), lights of the world (Matt. 5:14), and faithful saints who are called to preach the Gospel (2 Tim. 4:2), and bring men into the Lord's glorious kingdom. That is the kingdom that will last forever, while this earthly kingdom is passing away (see Ecclesiastes).

As Christians, at the heart of who we are—we are not Republicans; we are not democrats. We are loyal servants of the most high. Let's all remember that. Then, let's love each other. Pray for our candidates. And throughout the political process, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, "the author and finisher" of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). God is sovereign.

Jesus was a member of no political party. He was neither a conservative, nor a liberal. He was neither pro-war, or anti-war. He didn't lobby to get legislation passed, or protest laws with which he disagreed. He preached the good news of the kingdom, and then called us to make disciples of all those we meet (Matt. 28:19-20). As far as I can see, Jesus' only real political statement was short and to the point: "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (Mark 12:17 ).

My advice, then, for all of you during the next few months is: 1) do what God leads you to do; 2) fulfill your political responsibilities as you see fit; and 3) remember, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's" (Mark 12:17 ).

peace-out,

R. Abanes