Pentecost.
You are going to need the Holy Spirit this week! - With the General Synod debating the issue of Women Priests and Bishops, and the Local Government elections, on Wednesday 17th May.
Obviously it is not the policy of the Church of Ireland to tell its members how to vote. It is reasonable however to raise certain questions which may help to give a Christian perspective, and then you can vote in accordance with your own conscience.
A lot of election literature has been arriving on all our doorsteps over the last two weeks. If you have sat down and read it all several points begin to emerge.
1. There is multiplicity of choice, with at least eight different parties all competing for your vote. Of these, six represent different brands of Unionists, which is an indication not of the unity of the Unionist family but of its fragmentation.
2. At least five candidates from a range of parties are known to be committed evangelical Christians. Three specifically make this claim in their election handouts. Why? Presumably they are looking for the votes of people like you who go to church.
As you look at the leaflets that have come through your door and study the various election manifestos - Consider carefully the claims of each of our local politicians. E.g. they use words like LOYALTY, HONESTY, INTEGRITY and TRUST.
What do these words mean for a Christian in the context of politics in Northern Ireland in 1989?
Ask yourself whether the policies proposed on the basis of these words are such that will serve to promote Christian tolerance, understanding and harmony for all in the community.
Will the policies of our politicians stand up to examination in accordance with what you know to be Christian principles? How do they compare with God’s Election Manifesto?
And what might God’s Election Manifesto be? We can suggest several fairly well documented sources.
1. The Ten Commandments. - Thou shalt not kill! - Anyone for any reason.
2. Our Lord’s Summary of the Law. - Love God, and your neighbour as yourself.
3. The Beatitudes - Matthew chapter 5. Blessed are the peacemakers.
4. 1 Corinthians chapter 13. That great chapter on Faith, Hope and Love.
5. And today Pentecost Sunday we think especially of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. - Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23). These represent true wisdom in this life versus the false gods of protestant idolatry, sectarianism and hatred.
God’s Election Manifesto might not always attract the popular vote. Yet God’s Election Manifesto is the only one that counts. It may not make much difference to the election result how you vote on Wednesday but on how you vote for God’s Election Manifesto will depend your future both now and for eternity.
Prayer: Lord, fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit. May no hostility take hold of us. May no bitterness take hold of us. May no anxiety take hold of us. So that your peace may be with us. Lord, may your Holy Spirit guide us towards caring, sharing, forgiving. May your Holy Spirit guide us towards making your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
