My Thoughts On the Election

With much help from John Piper and JD Greear - here are some thoughts on the election...

• I am thrilled that an African-American will be our next president. That was unimaginable not that long ago. And sadly, I'm sure many Americans voted against Obama not because of his politics but because of his race. Considering the scars of our country's history of slavery and racism - it is amazing that an African-American is our next president. For that - I rejoice. I wonder if Martin Luther King, Jr. could have imagined this happening this quickly.
• President-elect Obama is God's servant! (Romans 13:4) The way some Christians have already talked about him is embarrassing to me. We owe him prayer, respect, and honor. He has been given his position by God (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17).
• We don't live for politics. We don't base our confidence in the future on those who do or don't get elected. This isn't our home. This world is passing away (1 John 2:15). This system is disappearing so let's not get so worked up about anyone being elected that we act as if the world is going to collapse. No political party gets my allegiance and not even America gets my primary allegiance. My allegiance is to Jesus Christ and His Gospel, and my home is heaven, and there is no threat of any elected official ruining that home or its economy. My hope is not in any politician. I am not here to promote any political party. I'm here to promote Christ and him crucified. And most times I think that the Gospel probably will be heard better during the worst of times not the best. Let's remember that we are primarily citizens of heaven, not of the United States, and there is no election in heaven. Our hopes, loyalties, and dreams lie there - not here. If electing McCain/Palin is what would give some hope in our country - then I am glad they didn't win. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that gives hope. 
• I have recently been reminded that believers in China pray for our persecution. They believe it is the best thing for the church. I think they are right. I'm not sure that one president would result in more persecution than another, but if it happens - it is what we need.
• We need a big, healthy dose of belief in God's sovereign control of the world. It is sad to me how bothered some Christians are by the election of Barak Obama. As John Piper has said, "If someone's election hurts the United States - then we need to be hurt!" I would say the same if McCain were elected. God sets up kings and deposes them (Daniel 2:21). This is just as true in this election. Any despair simply shows a lack of trust in God and an absence of belief in His sovereignty.
  
• My biggest concern of this new administration is the issue of abortion, which, as John Piper says, "the true horrors of which are recognized by very few of us." It is an unimaginable slaughter of the weak.  It seems that President-elect Obama has been the most pro-choice member of the current Congress. I will be praying that God will change his mind on this issue.
• My favorite quote from John Piper on the election is this: "Christians sometimes talk as if God will judge us as a country if we elect a President who supports gay marriage and abortion. Those things are the judgment of God. Abortion is the judgment. The spread of a radical, homosexual agenda is the judgment." I do believe that our country is and will continue living out the natural consequences of such agendas.

There is an incredible video by John Piper on this election (filmed before election day).
Check it out HERE (http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=YGjGbZNyIBY).

Comments

[Jfishjosh]

Amen!

[Jason Z.]

David,

Well said. Thanks for posting this.

Jason

[nathan]

So because EVERYTHING is a part of God's plan, we are to rejoice in it? If you had been present when Adolf Hitler rose to power, would you have encouraged the imprisoned to smile and turn the other cheek? Where do we draw the line?

[nathan]

I don't want the tone of my last comment to be misconstrued--the question was not meant to be disrespectful in any way. God does have sovereign control over the entire universe, but he has also blessed each of us with free will. While I agree that our true hope lies in the Lord, why would it be wrong to put some of our hope in the leaders we elect? Why would one be glad to see the rise of a dangerous man (whether it be our current president-elect or someone else)? It frustrates me to see Christians look the other way (or take delight) as our nation moves in the wrong direction. The United States of America is a gift from our God, and I believe that as Christians, we have a responsibility to maintain the freedoms which allow us to be effective evangelists.

[Dave Allen]

Thanks for your thoughts on the election. You are correct that we need to pray for the Mr. Obama and included in the prayer should be that God would change his mind about the abortion issue and that God would wonderfully save him, if he is not already a child or God's We should also be willing to make our concerns known to Mr. Obama whenever his actions are not Biblical and we should do that in a tactful way.

It is evident to me also that Mr. Obama is who God wants as President for God's eternal purposes because I am sure that many true Christians were praying for McCain/Palin to win and God's answer was a resounding no.

You are correct in pointing out that our confidence is our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" - Psa. 20:7 (NIV).

May God continue to richly bless you as you minister for Him.

Dave
2Cor 4:5

[Joe DeGroot]

It's continually surprising to me how much our view of escatology affects our take on current events. (This post is a great example of that.) For this reason, it's unfortunate that so many of us spend so little time studying anything related to end times. David, have you ever considered preaching on this subject? It seems so integrated with your worldview (I noticed it on Sunday as well) that it might be useful for the church to understand where that all comes from.

[Joe DeGroot]

Maybe the first step is learning how to spell eschatology, huh? :) Can't this thing have a spell checker?

[Mark D]

"Religion" and politics all on one site. Talk about a lightning rod. :) Our house was split down the middle where Will wanted McCain to and Drew's inclination was towards Obama for some reason. This was a good thing because we were able to talk about the role of government in light of the provision of God in our lives.

I rejoice when God's will is done here on earth but also realize that no matter what various state constitutions say, the only thing that matters is what has been written. I also take comfort in knowing that November 4th changed nothing that is ultimate - nor will anything us puny humans can conjure up.

How this all plays out in my life, well...it is imperfect at best. I take comfort knowing that the One that made all of this happen slings me over His shoulder and carries me straight through it.

[Nathan]

We cannot stop the inevitable, but why must we assume that the end times will occur sooner rather than later? Why not focus on the additional souls we may bring to Christ under the protection of our democratic system rather than dwelling on the impending doom? Why must we be so negative?

[Joe D]

Nathan, that's kind of my point; our (often unexamined) end-times beliefs directly affect how we view what is happening right now. We'll be optimistic or pessimistic depending on whether these beliefs say the world is becoming a better or worse place.

[Jfishjosh]

Firstly, I don't think we can have any real hope in our leaders. We can hope that they will serve in a Godly fashion and that Christ will be at the center of their decisions, but we cannot place any real faith or trust in them. Even though they may do wonderful things, they fall short as all humans do. I am reminded of Saul. The people demanded that God provide a King, so they could be like other nations. But Saul was a failure and it proved that the people needed God first. Even David, while being after God's own heart, still fell and it hurt people.

Secondly, I don't see anything wrong with David's comments about desiring persecution. We are so unwilling to give up anything, though we are called to give up everything. What would happen if we saw our possessions as what they truly are: God's and God's alone. But we live in this incredibly materialistic and self-centered world that allows us to focus on just ourselves. (Imagine our world if Christians lived in real community. What if we gave up paying for health insurance and instead paid for each one another's health concerns? What if we pooled our resources and served the Church the way they did in Acts?)

In this instance, I am reminded of the text "Life Together" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. This incredible man opposed Nazi Germany during the 40's, leading an underground seminary that taught holiness in an intense community. The book is a wonderful look at what Christian community should be.

That was all a tangent. We are to rejoice in persecution and I don't think there is anything wrong with desiring a real persecution, one that will show the world our devotion to God and allow us to really strengthen that devotion (I think it would sort the weeds from the wheat a bit, as described in Matthew 13).

[Alice]

Thank you soooooo much for sharing your thoughts on the election. It really means alot.

Alice