After a year of hype and political theater it is perfectly normal for those who voted for Obama to feel jubilation, and for those who voted for Romney to feel deflated.
I had once posted the following comments on a blog that is no longer live, back before the 2008 election:
I had once posted the following comments on a blog that is no longer live, back before the 2008 election:
"A brief quote from John MacArthur was posted over at Jollyblogger concerning the elections. When asked if he was concerned where the next elected president would take this country MacArthus replied:
'I’m not concerned about that for 5 seconds. It has nothing to do with the kingdom of God — absolutely nothing to do with it. The Lord will build his Church; I’m concerned about his Church. I’m concerned about the name of Christ, the gospel, the glory of God, the purity of the Church, the clarity of the teaching of the word of God. Jesus said it as clearly as it could be said when he said to Pilate, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight.’ His kingdom has nothing to do with this world. You could argue that the Roman power was oppressive, and even deadly, as indicated in Luke 13 when Pilate’s men went in and sliced up the Jews who were worshiping in the Temple. You can make the case that Jesus should have done something to obliterate slavery, or overturn Roman oppression, and free the people of Israel. It has nothing to do with that — ‘My kingdom has nothing to do with that. My kingdom is not of this world.’
Obviously, as a human being, I would like to see someone who is moral; I’d like to see someone who is a Christian have an opportunity to influence things from a viewpoint of Christianity. But this has nothing whatsoever to do with the advance of the kingdom of God. I am much more concerned about the kingdom that is not of this world than the kingdom that is America.'
Now, obviously we need to vote (if we can) and pray for God’s will to be done. And I truly believe that God is in control over all things . . .
. . . but tomorrow morning, if your propositions did not get passed, or your guys didn’t get into office I pray that we will all still be able to glorify our Father, knowing that He is in control still."
'I’m not concerned about that for 5 seconds. It has nothing to do with the kingdom of God — absolutely nothing to do with it. The Lord will build his Church; I’m concerned about his Church. I’m concerned about the name of Christ, the gospel, the glory of God, the purity of the Church, the clarity of the teaching of the word of God. Jesus said it as clearly as it could be said when he said to Pilate, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight.’ His kingdom has nothing to do with this world. You could argue that the Roman power was oppressive, and even deadly, as indicated in Luke 13 when Pilate’s men went in and sliced up the Jews who were worshiping in the Temple. You can make the case that Jesus should have done something to obliterate slavery, or overturn Roman oppression, and free the people of Israel. It has nothing to do with that — ‘My kingdom has nothing to do with that. My kingdom is not of this world.’
Obviously, as a human being, I would like to see someone who is moral; I’d like to see someone who is a Christian have an opportunity to influence things from a viewpoint of Christianity. But this has nothing whatsoever to do with the advance of the kingdom of God. I am much more concerned about the kingdom that is not of this world than the kingdom that is America.'
Now, obviously we need to vote (if we can) and pray for God’s will to be done. And I truly believe that God is in control over all things . . .
. . . but tomorrow morning, if your propositions did not get passed, or your guys didn’t get into office I pray that we will all still be able to glorify our Father, knowing that He is in control still."
I would add to these thoughts that regardless of who you voted for, believers are call to pray for President Obama (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ), and after the effects of the political theater have worn off in a day or two believers need to be more concerned about what they are going to do, more than what the president may or may not do.
My hope is not in politics. Legislation has no power to transform people or culture. At the end of the day I, and every Christ-follower, are called to build relationships with our neighbors, co-workers, family members and enemies and tell them that the God of the universe made them in His own image, and that he sent his son Jesus to die so they can have a right relationship with Himself. If I’m going to put my hope in anything, it’s the life-transforming power of Jesus’ resurrection and in the power of the Holy Spirit to change individuals and culture.
Neither Mitt Romney, nor Barack Obama as president would ever possess a power and authority that comes close to the life-changing gospel.
My hope is not in politics. Legislation has no power to transform people or culture. At the end of the day I, and every Christ-follower, are called to build relationships with our neighbors, co-workers, family members and enemies and tell them that the God of the universe made them in His own image, and that he sent his son Jesus to die so they can have a right relationship with Himself. If I’m going to put my hope in anything, it’s the life-transforming power of Jesus’ resurrection and in the power of the Holy Spirit to change individuals and culture.
Neither Mitt Romney, nor Barack Obama as president would ever possess a power and authority that comes close to the life-changing gospel.
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