Election Reflections

Now that our country’s Presidential election is over, there has been a wide array of responses and reactions to the result.  Feelings of celebration, frustration, anger, relief, peace and anxiety are just some examples of what people have been expressing.  In the wake of what was one of the most intense and aggressive campaigns ever held in the history of our country by both political parties, I want to take a few moments to speak to you, the Church.  My hope is to encourage and challenge you in your faith regardless of your political position or the candidate you supported.

God’s Word encourages His church to see with spiritual eyes.  After reflecting on the events of the election and filtering them through God’s Word, I’d like to share a few things I believe are important for every follower of Christ to keep in mind in the coming days, weeks, and months.

1. All Government is under God’s Sovereign Authority.

Proverbs 21:1 reminds us “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.”

Every political party or group (past, present and future) is under God’s authority.  Government structures like Dictatorships, Democracies, Monarchies, etc may govern differently but all of them have been and always will be subject to God’s sovereign authority and plan.  We see this truth throughout Biblical history.

God kept King Abimilech from violating  Abraham’s wife, Sarah (Genesis 20:6).   The heart of Egypt’s Pharaoh was directed by God (Exodus 10:1-2) as well as the Kings from Assyria (Isaiah 10:5-7) and Persia (Isaiah 45:1-6, Ezra 7:21 & Nehemiah 2:1-8).  These are only a few examples but all testify to the timeless truth that God has been and always will be sovereignly in control of every government authority.

2.  The Church’s Mission Remains Unchanged

If your candidate won, guard your heart and be careful not to become complacent by putting your trust in a man.  If your candidate lost, guard your heart and be careful not to become discouraged or seek to put your trust in another man.  Why?  Because Jesus did not save us and leave us on this earth to comfortably rest under the care of government authorities or to dedicate our lives to raising up new leaders who will ensure our earthly security.

Our mission is the same today as it was two thousand years ago:  to be God’s earthly example of heavenly love (Ephesians 3:10).  This means that our greatest priority as a follower of Christ is to reflect the heart of a loving God in every area of our lives (1 Corinthians 10:31-33).  Being professed followers of Jesus Christ, I encourage you to live with the following priorities:

• Pray for Our Nation’s Leaders: The Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy to pray, intercede and give thanksgiving for everyone, including Kings and all of those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2).  Paul is writing to a young pastor who is leading a church during the Emperor Nero’s rule.  This was one of the worst times of persecution and martyrdom the Church ever experienced.  His exhortation was to live Godly lives, always seeking to follow the example of Jesus Christ in love and purity.  We are called to do the same.

• Commit Yourself to Making Disciples for Jesus Christ:   It was one of the very last things Jesus told His followers before leaving the earth.  Politics and elections aside, we are still commanded to give our lives to help others become passionate followers of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20).   There are people everywhere who need to know Jesus and you may be the person God wants to use to introduce them to Him.  Let’s not get distracted from our mission.

The miracle of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it is not reliant upon situations.   It is applicable for every tongue, tribe, culture and nation.  It rises above every circumstance and its ability to be relevant for all mankind is timeless.  It is, by definition, the perfect model of true love; always giving hope, protecting and persevering.

Be encouraged.  Jesus is Lord of all.