“Now That The Election Is Over …”

Jarrod M. Jacobs

We have survived another election season. Did your choice for President win? How about those you chose running for other national, state, and county (local) offices?

            Now that the election is over, it is a time for introspection. Regardless of the election outcome, our duty as Christians and citizens remains the same. We must wake up every morning, serve God, be faithful, and go about our work as Christians and as members of society (I Cor. 15:58; Ecc. 12:13-14; II Thess. 3:10; I Tim. 5:8). Sometimes, the election of specific candidates may make our work as a Christian harder, but it must be done nonetheless.

            Now that the election is over, are there people who need my apology? I may have insulted or angered some people in my zeal for “my” candidate. Jesus said, “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift” (Matt. 5:23-24). We are told, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:26-27).

            Perhaps it has grown beyond anger over words spoken, and genuine hatred has been exhibited toward someone over the candidate he/she preferred. Remember what John said, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I Jn. 4:20-21). Jesus’ words apply here as well when He said, “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matt. 22:39). Did we remember that during this latest election cycle? Do we need to repent and “remember from whence we have fallen”?

            I may not understand someone’s rationale for voting for candidate “x,” but cooler heads need to prevail in this. Look again and see how the Lord says we need to treat people (Matt. 7:12). Let me hasten to add the statement of the apostle Paul in Romans 12:9, “Let love be without dissimulation.” This means we must express true love to others and not merely exhibit concealed hate!

            Some are quick to add, “Candidate ‘x’ and the candidate’s party espouse positions I find wrong and inconsistent with Bible teaching. This is why I oppose the person and the supporters. My candidate and the affiliated party espouse what the Bible teaches.” For the moment, let us grant that this is true about your candidate(s) and the political party. If we wish to get others to see “the truth,” how can we accomplish this? Do we say nothing? Do we browbeat our friend or insult the candidate? If we wish to convince someone, what is the best way to do this? Have we exhibited Christ’s temperament in this election cycle toward others who hold another position on the issues (I Pet. 2:21-22)?

            I know this article has more questions than answers. Still, I think it is necessary to examine ourselves and our motives on this subject (II Cor. 13:5). Can I honestly say I have conducted myself as a Christian before the election? Did I call incumbents insulting names? That is not worthy of a Christian, either, and demands repentance. Though a friend or family member may not act respectfully, though we might disagree with the decisions of office-holders, the office they hold deserves respect (Rom. 13:1; I Pet. 2:13-17).

            Last week, someone sent a chart to me that served as a good reminder of how we need to act as Christians. I have included the bullet points below.

 

“No Matter Who Wins The Election”

  • I will not be afraid (Isa. 41:10).
  • I will not lose sleep (Prov. 3:24).
  • I will not hurl insults (Eph. 4:29).
  • I will pray for our leaders (I Tim. 2:2).
  • I will keep doing good (I Pet. 2:15).
  • I will love my neighbor (Mk. 12:31).
  • I will serve and help (Matt. 5:16).
  • I will keep my eyes on Christ (Phil. 3:14).

            Now that the election is over let us resolve to make those kinds of promises. Let us resolve to grow closer to the Lord and maintain that relationship so that regardless of what might happen on earth, we still can see Heaven one day.