I’d like to preface what I’m about to share with the simple reminder that despite what each political party stands for, there ARE Christians who vote in both parties. There are Christians who vote republican. There are Christians who vote democrat. A person’s political affiliation does not determine their salvation.
In a year that has brought chaos, division, and wounds that may take years of healing, God is being spoken about more than ever it seems, by both believers and non-believers. And with an opportunity to share the Gospel, to bring glory to our Father and add many to the Kingdom — I have to wonder, are we missing the opportunity?
No matter what happens...
God IS still on the throne — yesterday, today and tomorrow.
He IS still Lord.
He IS still King.
God IS still in control.
My hope IS in Jesus.
My hope IS Jesus.
If you’re a believer, these statements should serve as a reminder of the character of God. They should give you a sense of peace, despite what is endured through the chaos and suffering on this earth, because there is nothing — not the loss of a child, not the loss of a parent, not the loss of a friend, not the loss of a home, not the loss of a job, not the diagnosis of cancer, not a hurricane, not a fire, not a pandemic, not an election — I mean nothing, that takes God by surprise.
There is nothing out of His control.
There is no one who can overthrow Him.
There is no amount of time where the clock will stop ticking and He will no longer be God.
And there is no bad decision made that can’t be redeemed for His glory.
Yet as Christians, we find ourselves being called out for making these statements.
On one hand, yes. It is no surprise that others may be offended by these statements.
The truth is offensive. It hurts to be told we’re not in control. It’s scary to not know where your hope is.
And I do mean we, both believers and unbelievers. I’d be lying if I said I don’t get upset sometimes because I want things done a certain way, but God does them a different way. It’s scary when I start to feel hopeless about a situation when I can’t see the bigger picture. The difference is, because of my personal relationship with God, I eventually understand He has my best interest at heart, and I am reminded of His promises — A promise that He is my eternal hope, and a reminder that I will endure suffering and hardship. I’m not promised an easy life, which results in freedom from my desire to want to control things when they don’t go my way. Lost people don’t have an eternal hope — their hope is temporary, leaving them feeling hopeless about many things, seeking for the next best thing to give them hope.
However, as my feeds have flooded with many of the statements mentioned above over the past week, I can’t help but feel a little unsettled by them. Because while the statements may be true, no matter what happens, God IS still on the throne and without a doubt, in control, the context in which many are being used, along with the statements that are being followed after, are not reflecting that truth, let alone that we believe that truth. More importantly, the words and images that I have seen follow these statements do not reflect the love of the Jesus we claim.
Brothers and sisters in Christ — we cannot say, “God is in control,” to then follow up with, “but if ______ happens, then _______.”
We cannot say, “God is still on the throne,” to only show our lack of faith in Him by saying, “but if ________ becomes president, then we’re all doomed.”
To believe that either Biden or Trump’s presidency could not be redeemed and bring glory to the Father is not only contradictory, but a show of our lack of faith in the almighty, all-knowing, merciful and just Father we claim to serve.
I wish I could say, let your actions speak louder than your words, but in this day and age of social media, your actions ARE your words.
Whether we realize it or not, and whether they admit it or not, people are looking at us right now — at those claiming to be a Christian, claiming to be a believer in Jesus, claiming we have this unearthly hope and deep love for people.
The question is, what are they seeing?
For us, even when all hope seems lost, we know it isn’t, because He IS our hope. We know this world, filled with both beautiful and horrific moments is not our home. We know that it is a fallen place, only able to be restored through the perfect redemptive love of Christ.
But when we say, “No matter what happens, God is still on the throne,” only to share a post later that day, sometimes even minutes later, either throwing in our personal “but ifs,” or a meme or nasty word about how the opposing political party is “dumb, stupid, or to blame,” unbelievers are looking at us, wondering:
“If their God has so much control, why isn’t He controlling His children and their mouths right now?” (Yes, God does give us free will, so we will make poor decisions, we are a fallen, broken creation, but because of redemption, we should be reminded to hold our tongues and replace our nasty thoughts.)
“If God is so sovereign and is this powerful leader of the ‘yet to come’ why do they all keep saying ‘but if...?’”
“If God is so good and loving, why are these people claiming His name, calling me stupid and other rude things?”
As we continue to share these statements of truth, and are counteracted with, “That’s such a privileged thing to say,” we have to remember a few things:
Sin is real. There is free will to choose. Which results in us — sinful, broken people, who make decisions that can effect our futures, whether good or bad.
Because no matter who becomes president, not just after this election, but in all elections, there will be hurt. There will be grief. There will be anger. There will be misunderstanding. There will be miscommunication. There will be loss. There will be cries for help that won’t be answered. On both sides.
Satan is seeking and trying to destroy, and with each “but if,” that we put after a truth, with each “You’re wrong, just wait,” we are only helping him destroy.
The number of posts I’ve seen celebrating a president elect, only to be flooded in the comment section with, “this isn’t over,” “just wait” “he’s not president yet,” by the same people sharing “God is still on the throne, no matter who is president,” or “God is in control,” are too many to count. You can disagree, but do so in love. The lost are watching and listening.
I get it, Biden isn’t officially the president, but whether you believe he will be president or not — is your witness and testimony of Christ’s love worth tarnishing for the sake of an earthly, political leader or party?
Is your allegiance to a country and a president more important than your loyalty and love to our eternal Father?
Instead of furthering the Kingdom of God, are we pushing people further away from the Kingdom of God?
That being said, speak the truth, shout the truth, remind each other and lift each other up with the truth, but also live out that truth, too. Rest in the truth that our God reigns victoriously on His throne. Claim the truth that no matter what tragedy may strike, He is in control. Then live it out, by leaving that truth as is, don’t add your own “but if” to it. And when your flesh begs you to type out words on your keyboard, turn in prayer and seriously contemplate if what you’re about to say is going to reflect the love of Christ — or will it only reflect a sinful heart, full of pride, causing others to doubt who our God is and what He can do.