Election Perspective

The U.S. presidential election is over. Thank God! One half of the country is celebrating, while the other is choking on disbelief. The 2016 election has been dubbed an upset, possibly the greatest in U.S. history. Regardless of where a person stands on the results, I think the entire country just breathed a big sigh of relief, “It’s over…finally.”The entire, often ugly, democratic process of electing our next president has left me scratching my head. It seems blatantly obvious to me that the country is filled with individuals who lack perspective. And I’m not throwing stones at either major party, specifically. As I’ve taught many times from the pulpit, politicians are merely symptoms in this country - they are not to blame - yet it seems the whole country is intent on pointing fingers rather than addressing what God desires, which is personal responsibility to Him, the Sovereign in the Universe. Here’s what God has to say about those in leadership positions in our government. It really is this simple.Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.

For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.

I wonder how many Americans, following the presidential election, have clear thoughts like those Paul wrote about above. I wonder how many have lost sleep, or concerned themselves unnecessarily, as if God somehow made a mistake. And then I remember that many of those in that camp have no real relationship with God because they have bigger problems…not the so-called “death of a nation” (for that is often their mantra), but rather their own spiritual death. I also remember that even saved individuals can get sucked into the vortex of political hoopla and lose sight of the eternal prize. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).U.S. presidential elections occur every four years. “Jesus Christ elections” occur every moment of every day, yet the country seems more concerned about the prior than the latter, even though the prior is temporal while the latter is eternal. Political elections aside, who’s voting for Jesus??? On the grand scale, one “Trumps” the other (pun intended). With a little perspective from the Bible, government election results, while significant enough, really don’t amount to much, given the simple fact that God has got everything under control. And the best news for those of us with the right perspective is found in scripture, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).It may sound odd for a pastor to publicly state that he’s OK with whoever wins the election, but if you understand Holy Scripture, it really ought not be surprising at all. In fact, it should be expected. I’m OK with whoever gets elected because I know that God ordained it. Good, bad, or ugly in the eyes of my fellow Americans, it’s God’s vote that counts. I trust Him more than I trust man. Man’s going to throw tantrums and bellyache no matter who gets elected.People with the wrong perspective regarding politics are as implacable about election results as they are disoriented about God. People like to skewer their politicians because it allows them to transfer personal responsibility to others. As I wrote once in a blog entry titled, “Why Blame the Marionettes”, shouldn’t we be interrogating the puppeteers (the individuals who collectively comprise the voting population)?By the way, what is everyone so concerned about in this country? Seriously. Is it really as obvious as it appears? While decreasing numbers are turning out to vote for Jesus Christ, record numbers turned out for the 2016 presidential election. It seems the average American is far more concerned about preserving the life he was born with rather than gaining eternal life. I, for one, am not surprised at all. The real tragedy (I speak as a man) isn’t who is or isn’t elected president of the United States. The real tragedy is that many “voters” aren’t voting for Jesus Christ. In fact, they continue to vote against Him.And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.

For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?

For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”What good is voting for and having your political candidate elected if you vote against Jesus Christ and God refuses to elect you? Perspective, my friends.

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins