DECISION 2020

Well, well, well. Here we are. Just a few days before the election. As you all I know, I greatly enjoy politics. In fact, I am taking vacation for election day and the day after. It is essentially a national holiday for my friends and I. My personal prediction is that either I will be so right or so wrong. My personal honor as a political commentator is also on the line in this one amongst my friends, so hopefully that won’t be completely lost. But in this run up to the election, many pastors have put out statements urging their parishioners to vote one way or another.

Here are a few that I think are worth reading:

John Piper (not voting/3^rd party): https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/policies-persons-and-paths-to-ruin

Wayne Grudem (voting for Trump): https://www.christianpost.com/voices/a-response-to-my-friend-john-piper-about-voting-for-trump.html

Joel Hunter (voting for Biden): https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2020/10/22/joel-hunter-spiritual-integrity-inspired-endorsement-of-biden

Pro-tip: If you know who you are voting for (or have voted already) then read the two articles that disagree with you before reading the one you agree with. It’s good for your personal development.

Now, again, I have very little interest in telling people who to vote for. While I was in college, I attended a church that was political before all other things and that really soured me on the whole process. The gospel should always come first and when that is missed out on, in order to endorse candidates or platforms, it rubs me the wrong way. This is partly why I am a little defensive when I talk politics with you all or will straight up say, “I’m not going to tell you.” This has had a rather funny side effect of many in the congregation thinking I’m voting the opposite of them, which is a good result in my book. The church exists to push back against the world’s sinful manifestations, but often times that leads us to become part of those processes themselves. We need to be vigilant and keep ourselves from falling into the temptation to put the world before God.

If there is any Bible verse for this day and age it is Psalm 146:3, “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.” Unfortunately, many of us do the exact opposite of this. I’m sure some of us in the congregation will be disappointed no matter what the results of the election next week, and it is okay to be disappointed. But, I do not want to see the reaction of the world reflected in my congregants, either positive or negative. Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that as Christians we should, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” We need to be above the petty things of this life. Think of our neighbors before all other things. I do not want to see the same reaction that I witnessed during my time at Seminary (for more on that check out my sermon, “The Golden Elephant and Donkey.”) I do also not want to see uncharitable boasting, because we should only be boasting in Christ. If I am able to do these things, despite my involvement in politics and the political process, then I know all of you will be able to do it.

Lastly, I want to commend to you the words of Paul in the 13^th chapter of Romans when he writes,

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. – Romans 13:1-7

We generally don’t like doing this, especially if we do not like the people in power. But, as Christians we aren’t called to do what we like, but rather we are called to do what pleases God. So, we have a decision in 2020, not a political one, but a spiritual one. Will we choose to define ourselves as the world seeks to define us? Or, will we be defined by Christ and the gospel? This decision should be clear.

In Christ,

Pastor George Erlandson