Old Blog-Nov 2008

What I believe Christians should know about this election

So today is Election Day and most people have already voted or will be making their way to the polls. To be honest, I’m so glad that this day has finally arrived and is almost over with all the messy political-talk going on. I have been really praying about how to vote these past few months. I’ll be honest, as a Christian, I’ve been quite surprised about a few things. Not so much by what the candidates are saying, but by what God’s people are saying and their own take on things. I really believe that most Christians in our area (the West) actually believe that Jesus must be Republican, and if you are a Christian, then you are automatically Republican. That grieves me. Although I know that it is important for us to vote, I think we need to be very careful because the political system we have in America, (and this includes both parties) is flawed. As Christians we need to pray about the issues and let God speak to us.

If you are putting your hope in McCain and think that he is going to save our country from immorality or evil, you are so mistaken. The days are evil but we, as Christians shouldn’t be surprised by any of it. God has told us these days were coming. It has nothing to do with our political system but the condition of people’s hearts. If you are putting your hope in Obama and think he is going to change everything and make all the mess go away, you are mistaken as well. We will be dealing with this mess for a very long time. God needs to be where we place our hope and trust.

We also need to remember that no matter whom our next president, God will still be God. I have found that many Christians are absolutely terrified that if Obama becomes president that we are doomed. Come on, read the Old Testament and what God’s people, the Israelites went through. Over and over again, they were under very tough and ungodly rule. In Jeremiah, God let Babylonians come in, strip the Israelites from their home, and take them to Babylon to rule over them. Those were rough times. But God reminded them that He still was their God and if they were obedient to Him, even as they were in Babylon, He would be with them and save them. Even in Jesus lifetime, the people were under a Roman occupation and rule. Yet we see that Jesus wasn’t caught up in trying to over throw the Romans. Why? Because his kingdom is not of this world and neither is our citizenship. Might I add, Obama is not the anti-Christ!

So what do we need to do as God’s people? Pray, Pray, Pray! Vote, but do so only prayerfully. Not only for president, might I add, but in all areas of government. We need to stop being so political or “republican” and be followers of Christ. (It’s also true that we shouldn’t be so “democrat” either. I don’t want anyone assuming this is a political rant). We need to pray that God would move in hearts all over America because He will save them from sin and give them the hope and change they are searching for. As God’s people, we need to put our trust and hope in Him alone, knowing that ultimately God is ruler over all. And no matter what the outcome of this election might be, let’s continue to follow after God and be a light to a lost world. Oh, and remember: This is not our home, our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await our Savior from there!