In Christ Alone, On Election Day

Something happened a few weeks ago when I was travelling in the States that bothered me. I've been trying not to say anything about it, because a lot of ink has been spilled and hype has been built over this election. But I haven't seen anyone deal with quite this issue, and I just can't get it out of my mind.

I was in an adult bible class, and in the context of talking about God's greatness, the teacher remarked, “our presidential candidates are not God.” The person beside me immediately muttered, “Candidate X certainly isn't.” Wait, what? If we say that Candidate X certainly isn't God, doesn't that imply that there is a way in which, or a possibility that, Candidate Y is? Now, I know this person. This person is a faithful Christian. Of course they don't think that any human is God, except Jesus. And yet, as that same God-man once said, “out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matt 12:34).

A number of people have reminded America that they are not voting for a Messiah-in-Chief. Of course no one would dare to disagree with that statement. But an off-hand, knee-jerk reaction like I heard suggests to me that it is all too easy to affirm right belief, but to pin too many hopes on a candidate.

Christian, remember that in your native land, there are no elections. You have a king. In him, and in him alone, your hope is found. Only his blood makes you truly free. Only his government is truly just. And there is no one – no one! – like him.