The Gospel and the Election

For Christians, tomorrow’s elections are about the gospel. Yes, I know about the separation of church and state. Yes, I am aware that no one is running on a gospel platform. I also know that there are no national polls being done on the relevance of the gospel message to the issues of this campaign. To my knowledge, there are no state referendums on the ballot as to whether the gospel should be believed or not.  But I am still confident that this campaign is about the gospel. You see, after tomorrow, the balance of power in the U.S. Congress will be different than it is today. But this election will not change the condition of men’s hearts.

God does indeed have a mission for tomorrow. But it is not primarily about who wins and loses the many elections across the country. Second Peter 3 teaches that God’s reason for tomorrow is that he still has people that he wants to save. If this is God’s reason for tomorrow, then perhaps it should also be our mission for today—and every day that God gives us. More tomorrows will come, regardless of which party wins the most seats, only if there are more people left to save. Peter teaches us that that the day is coming when all the people that God plans to save will be reached, and then there will truly be a new earth. This coming Wednesday, people will still need to hear the truth of the gospel. Those who have placed their hopes in the outcome of this election will either be elated or discouraged on Wednesday. But what is really needed is the power of the gospel to make things new. Yes, you should vote tomorrow and be involved for good things. But more importantly, point people to what really matters­­—the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other hope.

Rejoice with me in the power of God that the prophet Daniel spoke about. You will not find any better political commentary than what was announced by Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar. May God’s reason for tomorrow be our mission for the days that remaining to us.

Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said:

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning.
He reveals deep and hidden things;
he knows what lies in darkness,
and light dwells with him.   Daniel 4:20-22

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”

At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:34-37

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