Keeping a Kingdom Perspective

Well, we have survived yet another “most important election in our lifetime.”  Half of the people are satisfied. Half are not satisfied.  Some of the people who claim religious affiliation are nearly apoplectic over the outcome. Others are delighted, but worried that the promises they heard won’t be fulfilled.  I have lived through many “most important elections” in my lifetime and found, surprisingly, that the next one carried that same burden and promise.   We should believe God’s will was done last Tuesday, but just what does that mean? On this, I am sure, we cannot all of us agree.

So just how should people with a religious affiliation, or, more directly, a God-oriented worldview, react to an election of the President of the United States of America.  When you read that title typed out in full it is pretty impressive, isn’t it? Do you remember when you were a child and your parents or grandparents always spoke about the president as just a man, but they showed great respect for the President of the United States of America?  Well, whether you remember that or not, I do think that is the correct biblical response to any elected official, but especially to the most powerful political office in the world, which is what is still is.  Paul, in his letters, instructs the early church to obey the government leaders, to live peaceably among their neighbors.  They were taught to be the finest examples of citizens in the land, even when they were the “immigrants”.  I guess, especially when they were the immigrants, because that is really what God’s children are in this world. We who claim the status of being a chosen and loved child of God are just passing through. We are pilgrims on the way home

So, while we want to be God’s instruments in the world, as stewards of the earth’s resources, as providers for the poor, as friends to the lonely, we want to be good citizens as well.  I also thought about the Bible’s teaching on citizenship like this: “If the church leaves the government alone then you have a better chance of the government leaving you alone.”  God-fearing people should be involved in politics and should be advocates for God’s agenda, but let’s remember, even God’s people cannot agree on what God’s agenda actually is in this world.  But, we do not want the church to be the government nor the government to be the church.  There are plenty of current and past examples of nations which have and are trying this, always failing.

As you process the outcome of this election, do your best to respect the office, even if you cannot respect the office-holder. Live as good citizens, and live as good children of God.  And then remember that the Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world.  I believe that God, in his providence, uses politicians and citizens to further and promote the day when the Kingdom will be fully revealed.  Live in that hope.  We are a people who will always be living through the next “most important election in our lifetime” because the only leader who matters won’t be elected. He is the King. Just you wait!