When the Elections Are Over

by Doy Moyer

When the election is over and whoever wins is in power (like it or not, agree with the results or not), Christians need to remember:

• The kingdom of God remains unharmed and will always continue well past any current administration (Daniel 2:44). It does not depend on the kingdoms of men to thrive.
• Rulers rise and fall at the will of God. “He does according to His will in the host of heaven” and “no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” (Daniel 4:35). Even a ruler as powerful as Nebuchadnezzar came to see this. Whether we understand why a person is in power does not change this.
• We are to pray for those in positions of power (I Timothy 2:1-2). Whether we agree with them or like them is irrelevant to the need for our prayers. We seek to live quiet, tranquil lives of service, and prayer is integral to this.
• We are to honor those in power (I Peter 2:13-17). We understand that we obey God over men, but Christians are not insurrectionists.
• Never speak evil of others, including those ruling (see Jude 9). It is not our place to bring railing accusations against those on other ends of the political landscape.
• Love your neighbor. Love your enemies. People who voted differently and have differing values are still made in God’s image. This is not to say that all are saved or right with God. But we are still to show love and grace toward others as we seek to speak the truth in love. So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all (see Romans 12-13).
• Glorify God, most importantly. Whatever happens now will change soon enough; ultimately, all will stand before the Lord’s judgment seat. Knowing this, we seek to persuade others to be reconciled to God. In the meantime, we are to live as lights in a dark world (Matthew 5:14-16; Philippians 2:14-16).