POST-Election

“The circus is over.” I received a text this morning with that statement from a church member whom is also a government employee. I saw other social media posts of those I know serving our nation’s government communicating the same sentiment.  They are saying this in hopes of  having some normalcy in their own family routines that have been absent the past few months and looking forward to being able to participate in church life again since their work often engaged them elsewhere on normal Sunday mornings. It is with this sense that we all can gain a sigh of relief. The political advertisement commercials will cease, as will the phone calls. Banners and signs will slowly be taken down. It is now time to move forward in the light of a future tomorrow.

We have an elected President in Barack Obama. I say “we” because the President is not just for one political party but for the “United” States. It is not a time to revolt but respect. Especially Christians are called to submit (Romans 13:1), honor (1Peter 2:17) and pray for (1Timothy 2:1-2) the President. Pray that he will lead America with an “upright heart and skillful hand” (Psalm 78:72). Can you imagine the gravity of being the President at such a time as this? There are immediate decisions to be made morally, militarily, economically, and not to mention politically. We must all consider the gravity of every decision and pray boldly for God’s kingdom will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). And we pray with the contentment of God’s sovereignty that

“the kings heart is in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1).

Pray also for the Obama family to be shielded from political attacks. After all, President Barack is a husband and a daddy – a man hoping to protect and lead his family the best he knows and will give an account just like every other man (2Corinthians 5:10).

We have a moral crisis not a political one. This is not a statement about President Obama, for this crisis existed before the election and even before his election in 2008. The American worldview is changing at a rapid pace apart from any moral foundation. “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3) A glance at the history of civilizations can see the comparisons of the fall of empires that declined morally and spiritually. Where is America headed? What will become of the next generations?

The horrific injustice of murdering babies through abortion continues at an astronomical rate. This is no political game, it is life – LIFE. Believers should pray and participate in earnest for the cause of the pro-life movement. The President and the DNC are the most pro-abortion platforms ever in our nation. They will likely have the potential to present more Supreme Court justices to maintain this position constitutionally.

Further, in the elections of at least two states (Maryland and Maine; with Washington likely to add and perhaps Maine in the future due to its constitutional defeat) became the historic redefinition of legalized same-sex marriage. The children of our nation will grow up in a radically different society than any of us before. The role of the church must grow ever increasingly one of truth and grace. Christianity cannot compromise but nor can they lose charity for people and join God’s rescue mission of the only power to bring true love and change lives.

There were other issues as well. Colorado passed the legalizing of marijuana. The Governor rolled out, “This will be a complicated process, but we intend to follow through. That said, federal law still says marijuana is an illegal drug, so don’t break out the Cheetos or Goldfish too quickly.” No doubt supporters of this law will blow nationwide. Additionally, Massachusetts is close on passing a measure on physician assisted suicide. The moral landscape is shifting beneath our feet, and Christians are finally feeling it to hopefully begin moving them to action.

In all, Jesus reminds us that politics are important but not primary when He said, “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). The circumstances are covered with dim shadows but not complete darkness. Hope is on the horizon because God is still on the throne. God is not dependent upon political victories or popular opinions. Hope and salvation are not in governing authorities that pass with public elections but are steadfast in an “everlasting kingdom” (Daniel 4:3). “[W]e are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken” (Hebrews 12:28); “we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself” (Philippians 3:20-21)

Jesus will win the culture war overwhelmingly when His time is right. However, until that time, as God’s people we have a mission from our King to proclaim the life-changing, soul-stirring, glory-marveling good news of Jesus Christ. The church’s power is in the promises of the gospel which are unwavering and unfailing. And because the gospel is powerful enough to save and cleanse from the domination of sin that means we must go beyond clichés and pat political answers. We must dig deeply into the Word of God to understand it rightly and then proclaim it with our lips and promote Jesus with our lives. In other words, Christians should place greater emphasis and energy, time, talent and treasure into saving the lost (Luke 19:10) than on saving a country. The Christian’s mission is far greater than a single country but extends internationally to “every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9).

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20)