Reconciling the Results of the Election
How to Handle Election Night
Once the final results are in, no matter the winner, some will be disappointed. Some will be elated.
Christians? We stay the course.
As you prepare for election night, here are five suggestions for processing the results—whatever they may be.
1. Keep your hope in God, not people.
In a democratic republic, elections are decided by a populace of broken people. When we think of the masses who swarm the polls, our minds should go to Matthew 9:36. “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Elections have a gradual effect in steering the country in a particular direction, but they’re more indicative of the path the masses are already walking.
Appointed leaders can be helpful, but the masses need healing from above.
2. Keep God’s plan in mind.
No matter the outcome, God won’t be surprised. The Lord sits in the heavens and does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3). This election, like all global proceedings, is subject to His sovereign rule.
Even if your candidate doesn’t win, God is still working for your good and His Glory (Romans 8:28).
Perhaps God is using you to effect positive change in the nation by casting a vote. But also, God may be using election season 2024 to bring about some kind of formation and sanctification in you.
3. Keep your heart in check.
Public rhetoric over politics is nasty and often soaked in pride. It can be contagious—especially on social media. Don’t participate in it. Don’t feed it by giving your clicks.
The world will watch our response to the election closely. Be careful of joining the chorus of mocking or ungodly praise.
Our call is to pray for appointed leaders, their execution of justice, and the increase of human flourishing (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
4. Keep the long view in perspective.
None of us has a crystal ball to peer into the future. If your candidate doesn’t win, there’s no guarantee the opposition will deliver on their worst campaign promises. At the same time, if your candidate wins, they’re likely to disappoint you at some point. They are not ultimate and this election is likely not the last.
Each generation is vulnerable to thinking they are the “pinnacle of history.” Yet, with each passing year, our most landmark moments bcome retroactively less significant. 2024 might be a barn burner. But it might not.
Trust the King who governs from outside of time.
5. Keep the gospel at the forefront.
Each election cycle is significant. Yet, none is eternal.
Christians should live aware of our heavenly citizenship that transcends this worldly kingdom. Political participation is right and good—when we are afforded the opportunity.
Yet, remember our primary calling. Jesus compels us to forefront the Great Commission in our lives. Nations will rise and fall.
Let the gospel be our cry.
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for the 5-point reminder on yet another crucial Election Day in America.
I am grateful and blessed to be a naturalized citizen of this land since 1984. It was 40 years ago when I cast my vote for the first time and my candidate won. :-) The year that Bruce Springsteen wrote and sang, "Born in the USA I was” I added one word to the title of the song, "Born in the USA I was, NOT!" However, my burning desire for "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" caused me to be a zealous patriot and a crusader for my new country and the American Constitution as the Forefathers intended. As you mentioned in #4 in your article, I also was vulnerable by thinking each election since 1992 was a "Pinnacle of history," especially in this election.
Firstly, I must praise God for the gift of salvation and show gratitude for the Christ-following men and women who have been instrumental in my walk with Christ and study of the Word of God since the year 1994. And again, my zeal for Christ and the Gospels made me a crusader to throw "spiritual hand grenades" and leave dead bodies around instead of witnessing and wining people for Jesus.
Secondly, through a series of "Godincidences," we moved from New Hampshire and ended up in Clemson and Crosspoint in 2019, neither of which were on our search list. It felt like home to me quickly, and I wondered why the Holy Spirit didn't lead me to come to the South when I first moved to America 50 years ago? Perhaps God wanted me to meet and marry Mona! :-)
Thirdly, after reading Will Jackson's article (where I concur with his 5 points and appreciate the Scripture passages, he wove through them) a few questions came to my mind that I would appreciate hearing your wisdom on.
1. How should we, as Christians, conduct ourselves when the elected leaders are boldly and openly against the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage?
2. Is the Bible "neutral, explicit or whispering" (something my mentor taught me to look for when reading the Scriptures) about Civil Disobedience? Not like the violence and destruction of the summer of 2020.
What should we learn from the passages in the OT, like Exodus 1:15 regarding the King of Egypt, the midwives and killing the Hebrew male babies at birth? Or in the Book of Daniel, 3:1-30; 6:10-13 or Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3:15-18, and other passages?
And in the NT, in the Book of Acts 4:18-20; 5:28-29, and Revelation 13:13-17
(only references were noted order not to make my comments any longer than it already is.)
should we or shouldn't we, as Christians, apply "civil disobedience" when the elected officials rule not just against the Constitution but against the moral laws set by God?
Lastly, by the grace of God, Crosspoint pastors and the instructors of the GenLink and Equip programs have been instrumental in helping me to learn the Scriptures better and deeper up to this day. They helped me to see and do what the 5 points of Will Jackson's Daybreak article above stated.
Thank you Will, for the article and how we, as Christ-followers, should conduct ourselves. After all, The Apostle Paul penned:
"For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21
"Our Citizenship is in Heaven" Philippians 3:20
Grace & Peace,
frederick afshar