Church, Your Hope Is Not In The Election.
I can’t stand election season. The smear campaigns, the empty promises, the arguments that erupt on social media, and the division that inevitably follows it all. Each election cycle seems to drive a wedge further between us, making it more and more difficult to navigate.
As a pastor during the past several elections, I’ve become increasingly saddened over how Christians respond to it all. By and large, the Church in America has bought into the lies and empty promises of their chosen political party. Fear and hatred are more common than joy and love.
To be clear, I’m not saying that Christians shouldn’t have their political convictions. And I’m certainly not saying that Christians shouldn’t vote. What I’m concerned about is that Christians are placing their hope in their political party and they get their identity from their political ideology.
Our Hope Is Not In The Election
The Church has it backward today, Christians are often known more for their political affiliation and not their love for one another. I see a lot of Christians worrying way too much about the future of this country and not enough about the Kingdom of God. Christians often spend more time trying to convince others of their political views and next to no time telling them about Jesus.
This is the opposite of what Jesus told us to do. He expects his followers to be known for their love (John 13:35). He told us we are to prioritize loving God and serving our neighbor (Matthew 22:26-30). And he gave us are marching orders to advance his Kingdom, not an earthly one (Matthew 28:16-20).
Again, don’t misquote me, caring about our country or voting is not bad. But we should never let our political opinions and convictions override what Jesus told us to do. Jesus is more important than the results of this election or the prospering of our country.
For Christians, this election will have no ultimate or lasting impact on us. Our hope is not found in the next president, the next social program, the next law, or anything else the government can do. Our hope is found in Christ alone. Period.
If you place your hope in your political party, the next president, or any other ideological belief you will be let down. They can never deliver what they promise.
Even if we get the best president who accomplishes everything they promised, they still won’t be able to address the root cause of the problems we are facing. Our heart and sin are the real problems plaguing this country and the rest of the world. And no politician, no law, no government can ever fix that.
It’s not wrong to desire change for this country. It’s not wrong to vote for the person you feel is best for our country. However, we are putting too much hope in social change and not enough hope in Jesus. Real change, life change, comes from Jesus alone.
Don’t miss this. The president will never change the followers of Jesus’ mission. Our role on this earth stays the same, regardless of what the government does. How we live might change and consequences for following Jesus could stack up. But at the end of the day, no one but Jesus has the power to make any impactful change in our lives.
Whatever happens this year you can still live with peace, find joy, and have hope. You don’t need to succumb to the fear that the sky is falling. It’s not. God is still on the throne and all his promises are true. Could this country go down the drain? Maybe, I don’t know. But I do know that God’s Kingdom will remain and all who trust him will be by his side.
Don’t place your hope in politics, it will only let you down. Instead, place your hope in the one who sits on the throne.
Navigating This Election Season
I want to end by looking at three ways we can navigate this election season
1. Pray For Our Leaders… Even The Ones You Hate.
It would be a good practice for Christians to devote time to regularly pray for the leaders of our country. Each of them is created in the image of God and loved by him. Therefore we should pray for them.
Make it a habit this year to pray for the leaders of our country. Pray that they would make God-honoring decisions and that they would come to know the love that God has for them.
2. Don’t Slander Those You Disagree With
It’s hard to serve our neighbors when we are constantly slandering them. It’s hard to be known for love when we bash those who vote differently. Don’t sacrifice your God-given mission so that you can make a political stand. Prioritize what is eternal rather than focusing on what is temporary.
Again, this doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t care about our country or hold convictions about what direction is best. What it means is that we shouldn’t let those political beliefs drive wedges between those who view things differently. Jesus is more important than your political freedoms. Love the people around you, even those you disagree with.
3. Keep Your Eyes On Jesus.
God has promised you peace and joy if you keep your eyes on him. The reality is we will all be tempted to take our eyes off him and focus on something around us. This robs us of peace and joy and keeps us from the life that God has for us.
Commit this year to regularly reminding yourself of who Jesus is and what he has done for you. Don’t fall trap to the distractions and don’t succumb to the fear. Live in the peace and joy that God has for you.
Politics will never save the world; that’s what Jesus did on the cross. We have the privilege to vote for our convictions in this country. But we shouldn’t let that deter our hope in Jesus.
This might rub some of you the wrong way. And that’s fine. But ask yourself this. Where do your true priorities lie? God or country? Where does your hope come from? God or the next president? We all need to wrestle with those questions. We all need to check our hearts regularly to see where our hope is coming from. Because I know one thing, hope placed in anything or anyone on this earth will only let us down.
Amen Amen Amen!!!
**EVERYONE READING THIS- PLEASE SHARE THIS ARTICLE/POST TO ALL YOUR OWN SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS- ALL PROFESSED CHRISTIANS (Esp. the ones who engage in everything that was mentioned and the ones who support them and/or don’t call them out on it!!) NEED TO READ THIS AND DO BETTER.
It is so upsetting and it’s really hard to know what to think about it…
Thank you so much for SAYING ALL OF THIS!!
It is beyond disheartening to see all of this- Now and in the last election. Satan was LOVING all of the hate and vitriol by proclaimed Believers. It was all so surreal to me and NO ONE- Or at least very few at best) (fellow Believers or Pastors) was PUBLICLY talking about it, addressing it PUBLICLY, or CALLING OUT THE PROFESSED CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR WRONGNESS.
I was in dumbfounded (can’t think of a better word atm) about it all. I still am.
So thank you again Pastor. ❤️🙏🏼
I love your messages and insightful God-fearing thoughts, brother. I do pray for our leaders and government. What I do and believe has the most positive outcome is, that I pray for God’s Will, in our presidential elections and all aspects of our government. Then I don’t worry about the situation no matter how it seems, I have faith in prayer. I truly believe that nothing happens in this world outside of faithful believer’s prayers.
Appreciate it for helping out, great information. adddddgdaegegdec
“Pray for our current leaders. Yes that includes the one you hate.”
I am reasonably certain that Christians are not supposed to hate.
I’m not saying we should hate anyone. Although many Christians do. I’m saying we should pray for the leaders, including the ones we disagree with. I’m not condoning hating anyone.
I agree with you. In my understanding we have a few issues that I hold dear and personal. 1. Abortion, It breaks my heart as it’s taking a life and in most cases severely hurting the ones involved. 2. Homosexuality, we are to fight against sin, there are many sins that I know we all fall in, the difference is we don’t try to say the sin is not sin or have others mandate that we must embrace those sins. Therefore I will vote for the persons who “at least say” they do not support sins which are so clearly sins according to the Bible.
I know I fight to stay in the straight and narrow path of God’s Love that Jesus and His Holy Word taught. I also know our Father in Heaven has given the choice to follow Him or reject Him, therefore I respect others if they disagree with me or the Bible, and by His grace I will love and pray for them period.
Reblogged this on Augmentum Dei and commented:
Hits the nail on the head! Well said!
So good. Love this post. It is the reminder we need especially in this wild election season. I added an update last week (May4th) to a blog that I had originally posted on March 1. https://everydaywiththeking.com/2016/03/01/warning-you-might-not-like-this/ After reading your post here, I know that if I write on the subject again it will need to be focused on the points that you have made here.
Amen! If God’s people do what He wants there will be change . Pray for all that are I. Authority and give thanks for them. Blessings to you brother.
“Remember that passage where Jesus said, ‘The world will know you are my disciples by how you vote?’ Yeah neither do I. ”
I love your humor as well as pretty much everything you say here.
I was feeling pretty shook up this morning and I think it shows in the post you read. In fact, my post was ‘liked’ ‘right off the bat’ by 4 people I’ve never heard from before…including you.
From what I’ve read here, I think you and I are singing the same hymn. I’d like to hear from you on some of my previous posts, if you have time.
Thank you.
You might appreciate my post “Jesus has the Best Words” on TheViewFrom5022.com
I know this upsets many Christians but It is not the mission of Gods church to decide who the next president will be. God does not need our assistance in making a decision that He made before time began. God has a plan for this world and He will put in place those that move His plan forward regardless of who we think should be our leaders.The church needs to divorce itself from politics and turn that energy into the real mission of the church. We are supposed to shine so bright with the love of Christ that the world is drawn to Him. We can’t do that if we have become so much like the world that our light is too dim to see anymore. We are not Republicans We are not Democrats. We are Christians. Nothing can change that. No matter who is president or pope or king it makes no difference in the life of a Christian. It does not alter our mission. We should not depend on a president, pope or king to keep us safe. We are separate and Holy. We have the love and protection of God Almighty. We need to trust God to put those in power that will serve His needs and not ours.
Preach!
Reblogged this on Barely Right of Center and commented:
Anyone who considers themselves a Christian who is going to vote in the 2016 or any future elections needs to read this. It is an important message for all Christians to remember.
Really great advice.
Reblogged this on Truth Troubles: Why people hate the truths' of the real world and commented:
They have put up a great post here, if you would please give it a few moments of your time.
Excellent post, thank you for putting it up for us to read.
Great post! I love election season just because I enjoy politics, but we have to remember that the only one that can save our country is God, and He is still on His throne! If we truly want our country to be made great again, we need to start with revival in our own hearts!
http://www.thedivinepresence.wordpress.com
Mr. Poor, I know that I am not to fear because “perfect love casts out all fear,” but when I consider the horror and suffering that comes upon a nation that forsakes the Lord, I have great sorrow of heart: “My eyes do fail with tears, my soul is troubled…” May the Lord Jesus Christ give you the words of encouragement that we all need as we face the realities of a nation set on rebellion against God. May you continue to preach the Gospel and share the hope that is only found in Christ. God bless you.
I think you just about covered it. “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness…”
Amen!
Thanks for stopping by!
Praise God! This is indeed timely and necessary information for Christians.
Just wanted to add something to your statement of, “Politics will never save the world; that’s what Jesus did on the cross.” What I wanted to add is that Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t the end of His ministry. The saving of the world will only come through victory over sin through Jesus Christ.
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
”
Hebrews 4:14-16 KJV
Let’s keep praying and studying God’s Word.
Keep lifting up Jesus and sharing His message through your posts.
Thank you for sharing that! You are right Jesus is our only hope for us to be saved.
You are welcome.
Fantastic Curtis. Glad you’re doing well! Keep on writing, maybe one day you won’t be just a wannabe. 🙂
Haha, maybe one day!
I love your post Jeffery. Keep writing to change what people think by pointing us all to the gospel and to Jesus.
That’s the goal of this site, to challenge the way we all think and see life, people, and Jesus.
This is wonderful. Thank you for preaching the path of compassion and resilience.
Thank you for stopping by!
I love this! What a great reminder for those who find themselves discouraged or befuddled over the process of this election season. This is straight talk that I enjoyed reading. Blessings to you sir!
I have to remind myself of this a lot! Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Reblogged this on Fruit of the Spirit and commented:
More Christians need to hear this. Don’t let your hearts grow cold during these times of testing. Our duty is to love, even the unlovable. Don’t let your light go out. Wake up and keep watch and don’t forget to keep extra oil on hand.
With MUCH love! God Bless!
Thanks for reading and sharing! I’m glad you found this article useful!
My hope is built on nothing less… Light and Love, Shona
Very true, thanks for commenting!
Well said!
Thanks for stopping by Shelley!
Wide spread political replacement of God is a cancer of great concern in democracy. A true soul revival in the USA located church is due. Without God democracy will not operate properly. Same goes for capitalism which is another looming problem. God is the heartbeat of all good that can happen to mankind.
The only one who can safely sit on the throne of our or any life is God in His three persons. This is the revival of true abundant life. Nothing can replace this truth and thrive very long. Don’t be confused existing is not thriving. Grace is a general gift, while mercy, when practiced brings God’s gift of abundant life here on this earth. Positive thriving will always make evil slippery and hard to gain traction to attack God’s goodness in mercy giving through people.
When politecs takes it’s proper place as a tool not a god then we will see the nations stability rebuilt and renewed. All it takes is God’s people to do with faith Mica 6:8. Do justly, Love Mercy and walk humbly with our God. Not just voting or protesting and the like. Working on yourself then you will see the gates of hell falling and a hope unfailing grow and expand out of a reunited people of God today. I know in who I have believed and He is able.
I love Micah 6:8, thanks for sharing!
I feel the same as you on this. We can’t let the media, other opinions or even fellow Christians prey on the truth of God’s control over our government. He is ultimately in charge so we have nothing to fear. Turn off the news. Read a book. The Bible is a great one. Care for an aging friend. Pray for our leaders. All that is going to do much more than wasting time worrying about the future. Thanks for a great post.
You are right! Worrying cannot add a day to our life. Yet there are so many things we could be doing instead that add to others lives.
Very well written! Thank you for the timely reminder of Who is in control. J.
Thank you for stopping by and reading!
Reading this article has really convicted me of the amount of attention I give politics and of course I don’t think politics can save the world. But what about fighting evil? What about those who are using liberal doctrine, not to destroy the country, but to destroy the church and make it a den of scum perversity. While the article made some great points regarding how the problems of our nation are really a problem of the heart (which I do agree with) what about the call to be lovers of good “thirstying after righteousness? Yes, we are to love our neighbor but that does not mean we should give up speaking the truth if they are yet to become a Christian. Christ didn’t just say preach the gospel but teach them the things I have taught you. Regardless of how you see the command I find your article to be very much that of a calling for pascifism. (Oh they aren’t Christians we can’t tell them we disagree with their stance on abortion, they aren’t Christian). “Pascifism is not a cause at all but rather a cause against all causes. Why did we fight in WWI and WWII? Was that not to destroy evil (regardless of the religious convictions of those in Europe)? As the famous saying goes: “I would rather be ruled over by a wise Turk than a foolish Christian. The reason why I disagree with leftism today is not because I believe any political party is “more holy” in God’s eyes. It’s because I am a lover of the truth (it’s really that simple). Those today who vote for Hillary Clinton do not believe any ounce of truth or sanity. They believe, preach, and profess the belief that EVIL DOES NOT EXIST. The New York Times wrote an article on the myth of evil last week of you don’t believe me. Why would they argue that gun violence is even a thing? Because humans aren’t evil, there is no evil, we are bad because our circumstances. If such is true we have no hope of reaching anyone as our society is more prone to become mere animals with no rational mind. (See the Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis)
Think of it what you will but if you ask me I will side with Detrich Bonheffer: “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
Guess what?? There are indeed REAL ACTUAL GENUINE BELIEVERS WHO VOTED FOR HILARY (AND WHO DO VOTE FOR POLITICIANS WHO ARE NOT REPUBLICAN) & WHO ALSO “BELIEVE” IN A WOMAN’S RIGHT TO CHOOSE, etc.
And how IN THE WORLD did you get that Pastor Poor was “calling for pacifism” in this article??!
Wow.