Biblical Considerations for Election Day

Today is election day in the United States. It is not the first election we've ever had, nor is it unprecedented or substantially more important than any previous election, despite what the campaigns and news outlets may argue. (And if you really want to get serious about an election, be sure it's the election Peter refers to in 2 Peter 2:10.)

On this election day, let us remember a few things.

First, in the only election that Jesus was ever a part of, Pilot asked the people if they wanted Jesus or Barabbas, a known criminal. Barabbas won in a landslide. Without the love and power of Christ dwelling in us, we'd have voted for Barabbas if we would have been there. And every time we sin, we're voting for Barabbas. (See Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 18).

Second, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord of lords. No matter who is a king or a lord on the earth, he or she still answers to Jesus. That's but only one of the significant points when we say Jesus is on the throne.

Next, Daniel 2:21 reminds us who God votes for, and his vote is the only one that counts. Remember that when you wake up tomorrow and see the winners and losers. God will use leaders --righteous or wicked--for God's purposes and plans. Think about the time in the nation of Israel when the people demanded a king like all the other nations. God allowed them to have Saul, a terrible king. God did this so we would understand that God sees the heart while man only sees what's on the outside. In Saul's case, he was taller than everyone else . . . but there's always a more towering giant out there. (See 1 Samuel 9-12 and chapter 17.)

Let us also consider Proverbs 29:26, which reads, "Many desire a ruler's favor, but a person receives justice from the Lord." If you think that any elected leader will make right the wrongs in the world, you're mistaken. Justice--making wrong things right--comes from the Lord. And the Lord can work through righteous and evil leaders as God wills. Pharaoh, in the Book of Exodus, serves as a great example.

Next, let us consider that Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 teach us to submit to the earthly authorities placed over us when that authority is not in direct violation of God's Word and instruction. In the case of Americans, we are blessed to participate in our government. Nobody in the early Church had this blessing. Therefore, let us participate. If you have not voted, I believe these Scriptures encourage that we should vote. Be sure to do that today if you have not already.

Finally, let us remember these things tomorrow too. Elections are momentary. The season leaders are in office is but a blip in time. God is eternal. No matter the outcome today--your candidate wins, your candidate loses, there's an entangled court battle for weeks, civil unrest burns down our city, or something else--remember, what happens in the elections today will have a minimal impact on the scope of eternity, if any. But the fruit that grows from gospel seeds planted in the souls of men and women will last forever. The proclamation of the Gospel and the glorification of our Lord is what matters, and it may be that Sunday was much more significant than Tuesday this week.