“As he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” — 1 Peter 1:15
The 2020 election takes place next week. At the time this article was written, over 60 million people have already cast their ballots through early voting methods. Hopes are high for many, which means many will experience great disappointment if their party does not succeed. Now is a time when we, the church, need to be reminded of our call to pursue holiness. Here are four actions we can take both as individuals and as a whole to make sure we represent Christ well regardless of the outcome of this election.
Pray — “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). May prayer be our knee-jerk reaction to every situation in life. When the election pops into your mind replace all anxiety, anger, bitterness, fear, or pride with prayer. Humbly bow before the Lord and ask him to make His name great through this election and to draw people to Himself no matter what it takes.
Maintain Dignity — But avoid foolish controversies,
genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless” (Titus 3:9). The old saying goes, “Remember who you are and whose you are.” Before you are a Republican or a Democrat, before you are even an American, you are a child of God in Christ. Let us, therefore, conduct ourselves in deed and in speech with dignity fit for the King of Kings.
Submit to Governing Authorities — “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1). This one will be very easy as long as your particular party wins, right? But if your party doesn’t win, this is your chance to show what it really looks like to have faith in Christ. You may be thinking, “Yeah, but look what the other party stands for.” I get that, but I can assure you there is no current political party in the United States so destructive to the Christian life as the governmental authorities of ancient Rome, the very authorities referenced in
Romans 13:1.
Make Disciples — “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18–20). No matter who wins the election, Christ is King, and the standing law for His citizens is that we make disciples. This fact continues in and out of election season.
So let us, as Christians, determine to pray for our nation, rejoicing and/or suffering with dignity and compassion while submitting to whoever the Lord may place in authority over this land. In this time, let us continue to bring people into God’s kingdom through the truth of Christ, building them up in the Word, and helping them live for the Lord’s glory!
Pastor Josh