We will all wake up on November 9th and realize: it’s done. We will have a new president. (No matter how loved or hated.)
People will go around at night and yank up either all the Trump or Hillary signs from the cold wet dirt.
And people will freak out on Facebook. Either way. There will be rants, and memes, and hoards of nasty comments.
There may even be rioting in some places.
So what will you do, dear Christian?
The world will respond how the world will respond. But what about you?
You may not think that your response matters. You may think that the election is over, so you can wait four more years to try again.
But what you do after the election, and every day in between now and the next election—matters.
It matters so much.
What matters now, is not who you voted for–what matters now is how you will live.
As Christians, here are some things we will be tempted to forget. In fact, I think Satan would love us all to forget these 10 things. But they are the truth, and we can stand on them in the days and years to come:
1. God is not surprised (at all) about who “won” this election.
No one gets elected into office without permission from God. He holds the final authority over the authorities of our land.
Romans 13:1 “For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”
2. God is not anxious, worried, or depressed about who won this election.
He isn’t in heaven wringing his hands, and neither should we. He knew before the foundations of the earth, who would govern our country at this time in history. And He’s not afraid of it. Why? Because He is God. And His purpose will stand.
“He will not fail nor be discouraged,
Till He has established justice in the earth;
And the coastlands shall wait for His law.” Isaiah 42:4
He will not fail nor be discouraged. God has a plan, and He will carry it out.
3. God’s Kingdom is not of this world.
It would have been nice if when Jesus came to earth, He set up a perfect, flawless government system to keep us all in perfect peace–but He didn’t. That’s not why He came. He didn’t come to be a political figure. The Jews would have loved to see a Messiah that looked like a king, and brought a kingdom, and enforced it here on the earth. But that is not at all what Jesus did. When Jesus was arrested and brought to Pilate, he answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
He didn’t come up to set up a political power. But to unveil His Spiritual power. And to rescue us from our sin.
4. Our Savior is not (and never will be) from this world.
No person in political power can save us. Even the best candidate will be sinful and flawed, and should not be seen as a “savior.” God’s Word specifically tells us, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings who cannot save.” (Psalm 146:3)
Instead it says, to hope in God.
“Blessed are those whose help is in the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever.” (Psalm 146:5-6)
No prince or president can save us from the wrath to come, only Jesus can do that.
5. Jesus is our ONLY hope.
I don’t care who you voted for. One day, you will sit before the judgement seat of God. And in that day, only one person can stand at your defense. Only one person can cleanse you of every sin. Only one person can cover your nakedness and shame, and clothe you with His righteousness. Only one person can stand before God the Father in your defense, and and shout at the top of His lungs, “She is covered by my blood!” “She is mine!”
And that person is: Jesus Christ.
Hope in Him. Hope only in Him. In this life, and the life to come.
6. God has specifically purposed you to be alive at this EXACT time in History.
There is a reason you were not born a hundred years earlier, or a hundred years later. God specifically put you here on the earth, at this time in history, for His divine purpose.
His Word says, “All the days ordained for me have been written in His book, before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16)
He chose you to be alive at this time in America, under this president, with these laws (or lack thereof), and these people. Why? Because He has a purpose for you right here, and right now. You can complain about our culture, or you can step into it. Because you are here for such a time as this.
7. Real “religious freedom” comes from God, not governments.
Many Christians are terrified of losing our “religious freedom.” And I know it can be a scary thing, but when Jesus set up His Church on the earth, He said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
So whether we are meeting freely in the public square, or secretly in a dark corner of someone’s basement…God’s kingdom will prevail. Let’s not forget that when God’s people were prisoners in Egypt–He sent plagues and split the sea to rescue them. When Paul and Silas were bound in prison–He sent an earthquake to set them free. And how many times did He send angel armies to war on His behalf?
Has God ever been bound by the laws or threats of man?
Perilous times may come. But not our government, nor ISIS, nor even the gates of hell will prevail against His Church, His Bride.
8. Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans. The Holy Spirit is alive and active on the earth.
The world cannot see Him or recieve Him, but “you know Him, for He dwells with you, and will be in you.” (See John 14:16-18) Jesus promised He would not leave us as orphans, but that He would come to us through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is here to guide us, comfort us, convict us, and fill us with supernatural power to bring glory to God.
9. Laws don’t change people’s hearts. Only Jesus does.
I wish we had laws that kept everyone peaceful and kind. But we don’t. We can get really upset when laws change. But more laws and better laws don’t actually change people. That was what the Pharisees wanted. They kept dragging out these “sinners” in front of Jesus and wanted Jesus to tell them what the “law says.” (Like the woman caught in adultery.) They wanted Jesus to condemn these “law-breaking” sinners. But Jesus knew the law couldn’t save anyone. That’s why He always spoke to the heart of a person.
As Christians, we can wish the “laws” of our land took care of people’s morals or prevented sin. (And I’m not saying we shouldn’t fight for laws that will prevent evil or innocent lives. But we have to realize that there’s more to it than that. )
Personally, I wish we had more laws against abortion. But I can’t just hope the “law” takes care of it. If I really love babies, then I need to get involved in the lives of broken women. I can see women in difficult situations and have compassion on them. I can get involved with counseling at the Women’s Care center. I can become friends with teen girls. I can do foster care, and take in a baby whose mom decided not to abort, even when it got really hard. I can rejoice with pregnant teens, and throw them baby showers, and financially support them.
There are a thousand things we can do as Christians in between elections to make a real difference in the issues we claim to care about.
It’s easier when checking a box on a ballot takes care of it. But sometimes, most times, it doesn’t.
So, this is our moment to wake up. And step up. Which leads me to the last point..
10. Love is the most powerful weapon we have.
The world sees Christ not in our angry political banter on Facebook. But in the loving, gentle, compassion of Christians who are willing to get low, to get dirty, to become completely humble, and listen to a world that is very much hurting.
This is so convicting for me. Because the call to love people and really see people the way Christ loves and sees people–is one of the most risky and wild businesses I could ever get involved in.
Because it means we get low with people caught in adultery, and draw in the dirt, like Jesus. And we share meals with thieves, and touch people who no one else will touch.
We aren’t called to hide from the darkness.
We are called to live in it, and be the light.
We are called to invade the darkness with light.
We are called to stand with Jesus. The One true King.
Who is coming back.
For, in just a little while, He will come. He will stand upon the earth, and all the armies of heaven will come riding in behind Him.
And when He comes, I pray He finds us bringing good news to the poor, and binding up the brokenhearted, and comforting those who mourn. I pray He finds us giving beauty, instead of ashes, to a burning world. For we are all in need of His rescue.
And He will come.
In this world we will have trouble, but He has overcome the world. So don’t grow weary, or lose heart.
The Spirit of the Lord is on you.
For such a time as this.
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