* No matter what the final outcome is, elections always matter. They matter to every citizen, to businesses, and even to the Church. If your party won or if your party lost the election God is still God, and His plans will not be frustrated, thwarted, or eliminated. So consider a few points with me…
A. God comes first – political parties are secondary – What matters more than anything else, if you are a believer in Christ, is to be close to Jesus… to walk with Jesus!
* The apostle Paul reminds us that, "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil. 3:20. Our final destination needs to be your first and foremost focus – if our focus is on temporary matters and expectations on the here and now, we would be wrong from a “God Perspective.” That doesn't mean we should not care about the affairs of the world – we should contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, nation, and world… But we cannot, under any circumstance, allow what happens in Washington, or at the United Nations cause us to change our relationship with Jesus and His Church.
B. Our Most Important Leader is NEVER a Political Figure – Our Leader, our Savior, our Lord is Jesus Christ – He is the One who determines how we live. It is a natural thing to feel depressed if “MY” candidate did not win, but instead of fixating on the repercussions of your candidate not winning, remember that Christ came into this world to save YOU from sin and death. When leadership changes in the nation, certain things change… maybe higher taxes, maybe weakened economy, maybe less freedom… who knows… But we are to encouraged by the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Paul says, “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.” Romans 6:4-5. We also need to remember that we are children of God – “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Gal 4:5. And therefore we are headed towards heaven… to receive amazing blessings from God.
C. Your Faith in Christ Gives You an Identity, Not Your Political Affiliation – If your thoughts, principles, and behavior in life is defined by the platform of your party you would be wrong! Do you understand why Jesus never got into politics? Politics has become a religion for many people, but it cannot be a religion for Christians – unfortunately however it has become an idol! If candidate A or B wins, it should never determine how you will stand spiritually. John says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith" 1 John 5:4. Instead of being so jubilant that “MY” candidate won, or being so upset that “MY” candidate lost, we NEED TO SHARE THE SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM HOPE FOR ETERNAL LIFE! We need to keep engaging the culture with the Good News of Salvation despite who is will be in the White House.
E. The Bible is our Guide for Life – Political parties are NOT! The governor, senator or the president may or may not hold similar beliefs you do. Still, we need to make a priority to find our standard for living from Scriptures. It is the Bible that tells me about my Savior and guides me how to live in private or in public (Third Use of the Law of God). So, no matter who won and who lost, no matter what policies are legislated and executed, we need to focus on the infallible Word of God for direction and comfort.
D. Pray for the Nation – Instead of listening to all the political pundits and candidates for hours and hours, spend TIME WITH GOD! If those who have been elected do not stand for Biblical principles, pray for them – pray for them to see the LIGHT of God’s Will and have a change of heart; If they defend the constitution and abide by God’s Commands – then praise God and ask God to bless them even more.
* Do not let the joy of your candidate/party winning be so overwhelming that you forget God and disrespect others; Do not let the defeat of your candidate lead you to depression and to an emotional breaking point. Above all, stay close to Jesus and show HIM to your community and culture.
* Have a blessed weekend! Rev. Don Sonntag
A. God comes first – political parties are secondary – What matters more than anything else, if you are a believer in Christ, is to be close to Jesus… to walk with Jesus!
* The apostle Paul reminds us that, "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Phil. 3:20. Our final destination needs to be your first and foremost focus – if our focus is on temporary matters and expectations on the here and now, we would be wrong from a “God Perspective.” That doesn't mean we should not care about the affairs of the world – we should contribute to the wellbeing of our communities, nation, and world… But we cannot, under any circumstance, allow what happens in Washington, or at the United Nations cause us to change our relationship with Jesus and His Church.
B. Our Most Important Leader is NEVER a Political Figure – Our Leader, our Savior, our Lord is Jesus Christ – He is the One who determines how we live. It is a natural thing to feel depressed if “MY” candidate did not win, but instead of fixating on the repercussions of your candidate not winning, remember that Christ came into this world to save YOU from sin and death. When leadership changes in the nation, certain things change… maybe higher taxes, maybe weakened economy, maybe less freedom… who knows… But we are to encouraged by the resurrection of Jesus Christ as Paul says, “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.” Romans 6:4-5. We also need to remember that we are children of God – “God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” Gal 4:5. And therefore we are headed towards heaven… to receive amazing blessings from God.
C. Your Faith in Christ Gives You an Identity, Not Your Political Affiliation – If your thoughts, principles, and behavior in life is defined by the platform of your party you would be wrong! Do you understand why Jesus never got into politics? Politics has become a religion for many people, but it cannot be a religion for Christians – unfortunately however it has become an idol! If candidate A or B wins, it should never determine how you will stand spiritually. John says, "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith" 1 John 5:4. Instead of being so jubilant that “MY” candidate won, or being so upset that “MY” candidate lost, we NEED TO SHARE THE SHARE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST WITH PEOPLE TO GIVE THEM HOPE FOR ETERNAL LIFE! We need to keep engaging the culture with the Good News of Salvation despite who is will be in the White House.
E. The Bible is our Guide for Life – Political parties are NOT! The governor, senator or the president may or may not hold similar beliefs you do. Still, we need to make a priority to find our standard for living from Scriptures. It is the Bible that tells me about my Savior and guides me how to live in private or in public (Third Use of the Law of God). So, no matter who won and who lost, no matter what policies are legislated and executed, we need to focus on the infallible Word of God for direction and comfort.
D. Pray for the Nation – Instead of listening to all the political pundits and candidates for hours and hours, spend TIME WITH GOD! If those who have been elected do not stand for Biblical principles, pray for them – pray for them to see the LIGHT of God’s Will and have a change of heart; If they defend the constitution and abide by God’s Commands – then praise God and ask God to bless them even more.
* Do not let the joy of your candidate/party winning be so overwhelming that you forget God and disrespect others; Do not let the defeat of your candidate lead you to depression and to an emotional breaking point. Above all, stay close to Jesus and show HIM to your community and culture.
* Have a blessed weekend! Rev. Don Sonntag