After the election, remembering what a President is—and is not
By Dean Collins
The only way back to Jerusalem is through Babylon—not through the United States. Let me explain what I mean.
When we woke up today some of us were saddened by the election outcome. And others of us were elated. But I have no idea who won as I’m writing this post several days before the election.
Maybe you don’t either, because as you read this, our country may still be still fighting about the results. And if we aren’t fighting about that, I assume, as always, we will be fighting about something. I think we have digressed from simply complaining to mostly attacking others with whom we disagree. And of course everyone has or believes they have God on their side. I’ve read numerous articles, some by prominent Biblical scholars and theologians who respectfully stated why they did or didn’t vote for one of the two candidates. And then Christians took turns posting the articles. Some posted Al Mohler’s article and others John Piper’s. These Christian leaders each voted for different candidates and explained their positions. Then the hatred, disrespect, name-calling, and attacks escalated in many comment sections below the posts. Most who commented claimed faith in Jesus and were clear that the Savior was on their team and would never, could never, support the other side. I even read some who thought that who you voted for sealed the deal on whether you end up in Heaven or Hell.
Great turmoil
But ours is not the only time with great turmoil. It was true when Jeremiah lived and prophesied, too. His message was generally the opposite of the others who claimed to speak for God. Captivity and exile were coming, and Jeremiah told the Jews that if they surrendered and stayed put they would safely be exiled and one day return to Jerusalem. They would have to live as exiles under the rule of a non-Jewish ruler. However they were promised that God would be with them and one day they would return again to their beloved Jerusalem.Centuries later Peter echoed and expanded this teaching. Not only are we exiles in the country where we're living, he said, but we are exiles anyplace in the world. He calls Christians a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Once we had no identity but now we are God’s people who live as aliens in this world until we arrive in our final destination, the new Jerusalem John describes in Revelation. As much as we might love our homeland and our country, the Bible nowhere suggests the United States is God’s favored or favorite country. Yet we behave as if this is it and if the wrong leader is in place the world is coming to an end. And, of course, the wrong leader is the one for whom you didn’t vote.
Changing hearts
But there is neither a President nor a law, new or old, that will change a human heart. Only a surrendered life can accomplish this miracle. This is why no matter who’s the President and no matter which party has the majority, neither can fix the moral issues in our country. Legislation may move a needle one way or the other, but only spiritual transformation can break the numerous systems and cycles of injustice. None of the three branches of government can do what Jesus can do.
Of course we are called to be good citizens. But most of all we are called to be good exiles in a place that is really not our home. We are called to honor those who lead us and live honorably and continue doing good deeds among those around us. According to Peter, this glorifies God.
As I write I don’t know if we still have forty-five or if we now have forty-six men who have been elected as President of the USA. But what I know for sure is that none of them, however good we have deemed them to be, are our savior. We have only one of those, and his name is Jesus. And followers of Jesus are called to love one another within the household of God and conduct ourselves honorably no matter who is the President.
God’s Word for you today
Jeremiah 23:5-6; 24:4-7; Philippians 3:20; 1 Peter 2:9-17 ESV
Photo by Artem Podrez from Pexels
