%20(600%20x%20200%20px)%20(0_5%20x%200_edited.png){kind=small}
'Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man,
in whom there is no salvation.' - Psalm 146:3
I want to give a few scattered thoughts on the upcoming election. In doing this, I hope to give a clear vision of where our true hope lies, while also spurring you on to be active in the public realm for the cause of Christ.
Hope in...
Hope is an interesting word. Through our cheapening of the English language, we have blurred it's original meaning. Merriam-Webster's definition of hope is to cherish a desire with anticipation. I would be willing to bet that wouldn't have been your definition (it wasn't mine either).
When we look at this definition it becomes clear why our ultimate hope should not be placed in a certain political figure or party. Now for the record, I am speaking from an explicitly Christian standpoint. I add that caveat because, for the Christian, our desire should always be to grow in love for the Lord Jesus Christ, for the advancement of the Kingdom on earth, and the gospel spreading to every tribe, tongue, and nation. Since that is our desire, our anticipation does not rise and fall with politics.
However, for the person who either does not know or rejects Christ, it is perfectly understandable that their hope is found in Kamala Harris or Donald Trump; they have nothing beyond the things of this earth to put their hope in.
But for the Christian, this must not be the case. 'My hope is in you' (Psalm 39:7).
A chosen nation?
The Kingdom of God does not rise or fall with the United States of America. This may not be a popular view among young Christians today, but it is one that was very popular in the recent past of our country. The view rose out of a sense of national pride following WWII, as well as some interesting theological developments in some circles of the church, specifically dispensational theology. This view saw the book of Revelation as a sort of timeline that charted out the events of history in chronological order, with certain nations like Russia and Iran represented in the bible with ancient nations like Gog, Magog, and Babylon. This view led to many Christians seeking to find a place in the story for the United States of America, ultimately leading to a view of the USA as a heroic and upright white knight country that would stand resolutely with Israel in the face of persecution.
Although this may sound completely foreign to some of you, if you step back and consider the implications of this kind of view, you will be able to see how we have gotten to the place we are now, with many Christians considering the mission of the Kingdom of God contingent on the success of America. The truth of the matter is, wherever we find ourselves living, as Christians, we must pursue the peace and prosperity of that place, largely through preaching the gospel and bringing the Word of God to bear upon the social and civil spheres.
Sojourners and exiles
Next, I want to reorient our perspective on the Christian's place in the world.
For many of us, we have become quite comfortable here on this earth, giving no real thought to the world to come. We have, in many ways, become so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. This worldliness has led to all sorts of incorrect views of social, cultural, and political interaction.
Unless we recognize that we are sojourners and exiles here on earth, pilgrims journeying through a foreign land on the way to the Celestial City, we will become hopeless in the face of darkness here on earth, and lose our longing for heaven in the face of worldly success here on earth. There is a line that we must walk, living in such a way that we long for heaven, while simultaneously loving the people around us and laboring for the wellbeing of society.
For further reading on this, I would encourage you to read Jeremiah 29, specifically verses 1-11.
One name
I want to close this out with a comforting and challenging declaration of the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Before our Lord ascended to heaven, he gave what has become known as the 'Great Commission' in Matthew 28:18-20. Before the famous line, "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations...," Jesus gives a startling statement that provides us with all of the comfort we need to go forth and live with joyful hope. He begins this passage by stating, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
This is a staggering claim. He doesn't say some, or a little, or even most. He says all authority has been given to him. Not to us, but to him. It is on this firm foundation that we can go out and live a life of godly work here on earth, and build a solid hope of our future in heaven being secure.
It is with this in mind, Christ ruling over all, that we can proclaim "there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12)." No salvation is found in the name of Donald Trump or Kamala Harris; salvation is found in the name of Jesus Christ, who has all authority in heaven and on earth.
May this challenge your misconceptions about the world around you, and comfort you in the face of darkness and tribulation in the world. Our God has won, is winning, and will win.