By Julian Newman
One month today, we had a very highly contested Presidential Election. The winner and President Elect was Barack Obama who outpointed Senator John McCain. To the credit of both men, they were extremely gracious in victory and defeat giving beautiful speeches about unity, togetherness, and the future.
Unfortunately, many of us that are supposed to represent Jesus have not been nearly as gracious. There are some of us are still complaining about the results, how this can’t be God’s will, and how the apocalypse has now come.
None of us know what the future holds.
But what we can take solace in the fact that nothing catches God by surprise. We can show our confidence in His word and His commands by praying for the leadership that we have in place (and that means President Elect Barack Obama as well as outgoing President George Bush).
We cannot be partisan in our prayer life.
When we pray only for who we like or who we agree with, then we are operating exactly how the common person would that doesn’t know Jesus. Jesus told us to love those that hurt us, help those that hate us, and pray for those that curse us. By limiting our intercession to a certain group and neglecting the other, we expose ourselves as faithless and spiritually immature.
There are 2 extreme responses to the election that I have observed over the past 7 days:
1. Obama is a devil and we need to be afraid and full of fear.
2. Obama is an angel and he will save us from all of our ills.
These are both wrong perspectives that will lead to error. We need not be paralyzed with fear and trepidation. Conversely we can’t view this President as the answer to all the problems that face America. God has not given us a spirit of fear, and Jesus is the One we must ultimately look to.
We must remember:
1. Our citizenship is in heaven.
2. We are not American Christians but Christians that live in America
3. The church is not a voting bloc, but an Embassy of the Kingdom of God.
One day this earth will pass away, and eternity will be the only thing that matters. Let’s live out lives in a manner that holds weight in eternity.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”
-Romans 13:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
-1 Tim. 2:1-4
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.”
-Luke 21:33
Julian is the Lead Pastor of FC2, a growing community of believers where he and his wife Tiffany have been pastoring the church they were once youth pastors at for a year this March. He is a the proud father of three daughters and and an avid blogger. He loves sports, movies, books, his wife and family, and Jesus (not in that order!). You can reach him at www.diaryofadreamer.com.