Well, it’s been proven.  Mention Barack Obama and Christianity in the same blog post and you’ll inevitably freak some people out.  But it’s been good - actually, it’s been great to read the posts and take in the different sides.  In the end, it’s a nice illustration of how there are good Jesus-loving, Bible-reading, baptized children of God prayerfully and passionately sitting on both sides of the aisle.

But as we get closer and closer to November 4th, there is one question that we need to take into the voting booths with us.  Actually, I believe it to be the question that should sit at the center of every decision and every move a follower of Jesus makes.  Are you ready for it?  [pause for dramatic tension] “What’s best for my neighbor?”

Sound familiar?  This question is the second half of Jesus’ famous summation of what it means to walk through life as a member of God’s family.  “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…[and] love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37,39

In other words, our job in life is to love the Father in heaven with all we’ve got on the inside (heart, soul, mind, and strength) and love those around us (friends, family, country, world) with all we’ve got on the outside (words, deeds).  And so when it comes to the outward action of voting the question every follower of Jesus must operate from is not, “what’s best for me” or “what’s best for my party” but “what is best - who is best - for my neighbor?”  Which candidate is the better gift to offer my friends based on what God says is most important?  McCain or Obama?

You can take this question and wrestle through each of the “hot-button” issues.  For example:

• Abortion:  What’s best for my neighbor?  McCain’s policy (weakly pro-life) or Obama’s (staunchly pro-choice)?
• Economics: What’s best for my neighbor?  McCain’s emphasis on smaller government and a trust in capitalistic competition to meet the needs of society or Obama’s inclinations toward government assistance funded by a higher tax reponsibility for the wealthy?
• Gay marriage: What’s best for my neighbor?  A president who will oppose same-sex marriage or one who will encourage it?

I could go on.  And no, this still doesn’t guarantee that you and I will arrive at the same answers.  We’ll undoubtedly see some things differently.  Although personally - and I’ve said this before - I believe this election offers followers of Jesus who view the major issues Biblically one candidate whose policies align a little more with God’s design and desire.  But a decent argument can be made for both.

What I’m trying to say is that being a “good” Christian on Tuesday the 4th is less about coming up with a “right” answer but instead heading to the polls having really wrestled with the right question: “What is best for my neighbor?”  But don’t take it from me.  I stole the idea from Jesus.

So, lay it out there.  Who do you think is the best “gift” to give your neighbor on November 4th and why?