Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Reflections on Elections

We enjoy a great privilege where we live in a country and under a political system that allows us to be engaged in the peaceful selection of our leaders. America went to vote on Tuesday, and the people have spoken. Your selection of leaders may have been elected or perhaps they were defeated. Your referendum issues may have passed, or they may not have passed. So how should we respond? 

Some very straightforward reminders from Scripture:
"Remind them to be submissive to rulers & authorities, to be obedient...to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling... "Titus 3:1-2
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Tim. 2:1-4
Notice in the 1 Timothy passage that the reason for praying for our leaders (kings in that setting) is so that we can live a "tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity" so that we may be able to introduce people to our God and Savior. It is not so that we have it easy. (Have you prayed for our President today? How about our other leaders?)

Isn't it good to know, that regardless of one's political affiliation, there is coming a day when the King of kings will rule  His kingdom with justice and righteousness. He will not "run for office" or get in through popular vote. It will be the radical overthrow of all human nations. He will be a "benevolent dictator." His kingdom will have no end.

I read a great quote, which was rather convicting which said, "if you spent more time telling people who to vote for, instead of telling them about Jesus, you have your trust in the wrong person."

Let's look for Divine Appointments today to tell people about a Savior and King who died for us, so that we might be part of His kingdom, which will never end. For those of us who believe this, nothing has changed (though some interesting dynamics culturally that we must consider). Our mission remains the same.

Have a Blessed Day!