The apostle Peter, de facto leader of the Twelve, wrote of the qualities he would expect in his first letter to the Dispersion, colloquially called "First Peter" in the New Testament. Here are some of the most relevant points Simon Peter made there...
His descriptors begin in the middle of the second chapter, starting with verse twelve, "Keep your conduct honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God of the day of visitation."... Then, Peter describes what it means to "keep your conduct honorable":
1st Peter 2:13-17 - Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood (meaning the church). Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Does your candidate honor everyone? Especially those who are currently serving in the government? Understand, it's okay, sometimes even necessary, to disagree with those in office right now. But do they honor other people? How do they campaign? How do they talk about the incumbent, or their opponent? Do they talk about the world (or the county or the whatever territory) as though it's the problem, or do they honor the people involved? Think about what you know about how your candidate treats other people. In local elections, you often know someone who knows the person - is he an honorable person?
1st Peter 3:8-11 - Have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For, “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it."
Go through this checklist. Does your candidate have unity of mind? Brotherly love? A tender heart, and a humble heart? Does he or she take vengeance on his or her political enemies, or does he or she understand the difficulties involved in political life and not hold a grudge? Does your candidate seek and pursue peace?
1st Peter 4:3 - For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
This is different than whether they are adulterers or not, although that is also disqualifying from a Biblical point of view. This is about the lifestyle they live - glorification of sex, drugs, alcohol, and "lawless idolatry". What's that last one? Idolatry is worshiping something else besides God, and in the modern context (if it doesn't mean the sex/drugs/alcohol part), idolatry usually means a love of money over people and God. Lawless idolatry would imply a careless attitude towards the legality or ethics of their money acquisition (or the other lascivious alternatives). Does any of this fit your candidate?
1st Peter 4: 8-10 - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
Does your candidate seem to show hospitality? Do they seem to love others earnestly? Do they use their talents to serve others? In theory, that is the very reason most folks go into politics! Is that the (apparent) motivation of the candidate you're voting for? Or are they seeking office for personal gain instead?
1st Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
One of the most critical qualities that a candidate in the political arena can have is a thick skin - fiery trials WILL come your way! Will you be surprised (and then become vengeful, as discussed after 3:8-11)? Or will it roll off like water off a duck's back? That's who you want in office representing you!
1st Peter 5:1-3 - So I exhort the elders among you...: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
Finally, AS a leader, Peter says the candidate must "shepherd the flock" both willingly and eagerly, not for shameful gain. I would hope everyone running for office wants to do the job they're running for - but there are exceptions! Most importantly here, would your candidate be domineering over his or her constituency? Or would he or she be a good example to the flock?
And in the end, this is what should be the overarching principle for ALL of our officials: Which candidate do you think would be the best role model, not just for you but for the children? If our officials are good role models, we will be more likely to be able to believe their promises and trust their decisions. DON'T rely on the 'hot button issues' when they may not even apply to the office in question! Look for a role model, even if you aren't sure of the Christianity of any of the candidates. Look for candidates who will "keep their conduct honorable"!
Finally, VOTE on Tuesday! All elections are important - if only because they are the most tangible benefit of the system of government 240 years of veterans have fought and died to preserve. AND FOCUS ON YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS - YOUR VOTES COUNT SO MUCH MORE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL! In the presidential election, you'll be one of 100,000,000 voters. In your city council election? You could very well be THE deciding vote!
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