Reflections on the election: Trust Jesus, not politicians

Tomorrow we’ll finally be heading off to the polls to elect the 45th President of the United States. Normally, this would be an enjoyable exercise in democracy for many of us as American citizens. Unlike most of the world, we actually get to choose our leaders. Even so, many Americans (including many Christians) are feeling more stress than joy this time around. Why? Because we have not one, but two flawed candidates of questionable character. Many of us are left wondering: “Are these two really the best we can do?”

“Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, and look only to the Righteous Son of the Living God who died for our sins and rose for our salvation. There is no other name (neither Republican nor Democrat) given to men by which we must be saved.”

We stand in absolute disgust at the things our prospective leaders have said and done, both in public and in secret, over the last 50 years. Have we ever been subjected to such a shameless parade of pride, arrogance, greed, lust and deceit? I can’t think of anything that quite compares to the depravity of these two candidates! Well, maybe not anything. I guess there are some salacious celebrities out there…and then of course, our favorite movies and TV shows are not so pure…and then there’s all that “civil” discourse on the internet and social media…and then our own secret stuff that we’d rather not talk about…

When I think more about it, Paul’s reasoning in Romans 2 begins to hit home. After describing the depravity of the pagans, he gives this stunning rebuke to the more “righteous” among us:

You may be saying, “What terrible people you have been talking about!” But you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you do these very same things. (Romans 2:1 – NLT)

Are we really just as bad? Well, imagine if every conversation you’ve ever had in private was recorded, and the worst of them was played endlessly on the evening news. What would people say about you? Indeed, out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Imagine if you had as much access to power and wealth as our politicians have. Do you really think that there would be no whiff of scandal in your life? Are pride, greed, lust and deceit really so strange to your heart? Are these not the natural ways of the world? As John writes…

All that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. (1 John 2:16)

Even so, don’t let this ugly reminder lead you to despair. Jesus, the Great Physician, comes not for the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance! This is the trustworthy saying: Christ came to save sinners, of whom I am the worst!  Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, and look only to the Righteous Son of the Living God who died for our sins and rose for our salvation. There is no other name (neither Republican nor Democrat) given to men by which we must be saved.

So do your civic duty, go and vote for whomever you believe will do the most good (or the least harm) to our nation. But please do not put your trust in or expect any of these elected sinners to save you from present or future misery. Trust only in the love of God the Father and the saving work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Michael John is the pastor of Market Street Baptist Church in Amesbury, MA.