Letter from Jon, May 26 

 

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

1 Tim 2:1-4

 

Dear Liberty Family and Friends

 

Next Thursday we have the opportunity to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections where 129 MSP's will be elected to govern our land for the next five years.  As this day approaches you may be quite clear about who you will vote for, perhaps because you have always voted for a certain party or because you have investigated the policies of each party or because you like a particular MSP or for any other reason. 

 

Liberty's leadership has always been very cautious about mixing politics and church, aware that within the fellowship there will be a wide range of political opinion.  As a leadership, we would not point you in any particular political direction, but I would encourage everyone to vote, even if you think that your vote will be of little value.  I am very aware that to live in a democracy, with all its faults, is still a huge blessing in a world where many have no say and no power in who governs their land.

 

I would also encourage you to consider prayerfully who you vote for and to take a look at the policies of each party to see how they align with your faith in Christ (I found the comparison site on the BBC quite helpful which you can find at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cew79ezknrlo and also the CARE site where there is a quiz you can take to see how your priorities match with each of the parties - https://scotland.engage26.org.uk ), not necessarily looking to what you might personally gain from a particular party but to ask how the party treats those less fortunate, both in our land and overseas, how it looks after the world we live in, how it unites people rather than divides and how it promotes religious freedom.

 

Whichever way you decide to vote next week let me encourage you to consider Paul's words to Timothy, which are as relevant today as they were 2000yrs ago, to pray for our leaders (whether we like and agree with them or not) that they might govern with humility, compassion, generosity, kindness and justice, and we pray that all these qualities would be seen throughout our land in the years ahead.

 

Love and blessings

 

Jon