As Pastor John shared last time, American has a long history of rancorous election seasons. The dust will continue to settle on this one for a while, and it will likely be many years in the future before we understand the true import of what has happened. As I process these things, there are a few initial thoughts to share with you…
As was the case four years ago, the result is precisely what God intended. America voted and those votes mattered. Ultimately, our votes were means by which God brought about His own will. Paul is recorded in Acts 17 teaching that God determines the periods and boundaries of every nation. In Romans 13, he teaches that God is the one who appoints the governing authorities. Political parties and candidates promise and campaign, but there is One authority whose agenda is always accomplished. God is the One who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). You and I can take comfort today…and four years from now…His agenda will be moving inexorably toward His glory and our good (Romans 8:28-30).
The current political season offers us unique windows to offer hope in Christ. I have been a bit surprised by two things the last couple of days. First, there is the level of genuine fear expressed by some who think of a Trump presidency as the worst possible outcome. My wife and I have friends and acquaintences who expect horrible things to befall them in the coming four years. On the other hand, there is the rapture and confidence of many who seem to believe they’ve elected a savior rather than a president.
In both cases, we are confronted with souls who need to know that there is one name “under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Man’s greatest trouble is not illegal immigration, rising inflation, gender confusion, or any other foreign policy, social, or economic issue. Rather, man is estranged from God because of his rebellious heart. He needs to be redeemed from his sin and reconciled to his Creator. It is only by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that a person has hope in this life and the next. We must recognize and wisely make the most of each opportunity to make that clear. Similarly…
The election was a win for free speech. In recent years, the political left has become increasingly zealous about silencing dissenting speech. Christians should care about free speech because we care about the proclamation of the gospel. In a culture as secular as ours, it is not at all difficult to imagine a day when the good news of Jesus Christ could be considered “dissenting speech.” I’ve noted here before that true believers will continue to proclaim the gospel whether afforded free speech or not. Still, the New Testament assumes that living the Christian life in a favorable climate is preferable to doing so in an unfavorable one (1 Tim 2:1-6). For that reason, we should rejoice that it appears speech will continue to be protected on all fronts for the foreseeable future. AND, we shouldn’t squander that freedom.
The unborn have never been in greater danger. Ten states (Arizona, Florida, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, South Dakota) included propositions and constitutional amendments on their ballots expanding access to abortion. These measures passed everywhere but in South Dakota and Florida. While we can be thankful for the result in Florida, the numbers are discouraging: even though the state has become relatively conservative, its proposed amendment still received 57% of the vote, just short of the required 60%.
While we should be eager to support political candidates who champion the pro-life cause, we must recognize that protecting the unborn is now far more a matter of evangelizing the lost than winning elections. As conservative politicians recognize that abortion is a losing issue, they will be less likely to fight against it. The deeper issue is that our culture has no fear of God and therefore no respect for the image of God in man. For that reason, our main aim should be what our aim has always been…to proclaim the gospel to the lost and the saved unto the growth of the body of Christ. May it be by nationwide revival rather than by political machinery that the tide is turned on the issue of life.
No less than ever before, we should pray for our leaders. 1 Timothy 2:1–6 reads, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.” We must continue to pray for our leaders at all levels of government—interceding for their souls and praying for their decisions—that we might continue to carry out the mission we’ve been given. Let’s pray, pray, pray.
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