How should Christians respond to Trump’s victory?
We woke up this morning to the most historic political comeback in over a century. Donald Trump is the first president in a hundred years to win back the Whitehouse after losing it. This was one of the most divided seasons in our nations recent history; at least that was the rhetoric and narrative so prevalent in our culture and both mainstream and social media. The election results painted another picture: a decisive presidential race and republicans gaining control of the Senate, and maintaining control of the House of Representatives. Many conservatives, Christians alike are rejoicing for such a political victory; and its easy to understand why. For decades really, our nation has been slipping headlong into a place from which many feared there was no return not only politically, but morally, ethically and spiritually. One poll said 2/3rds or respondents believed America was going in the wrong direction. Where this change of power leads us remains to be seen but many hopes are high… unless your candidate did not win. Which leads us to the driving question of the day:
How should Christians respond to a Trump victory?
1) Whether today is a good day or bad day for you, we must remember our hope is in Jesus. Our hope does not lie in a political candidate, an ideology, or even the blessing of such a special country as America. Elected officials come and go, kingdoms and nations rise and fall, but only the Kingdom of God is everlasting and only the word of The lord endures forever. Jesus is the King of Kings. As the Psalmist declares, “ Your kingdom is an everlasting and you dominion endures through all generations.” Psalm 143:13
2) Make the most of this opportunity -this is not a time to rest on our laurels but now more than ever to share the repent of our individual sin and be integrous and bold witnesses for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Pastor Josh Howerton said,”Judeo Chrisitian values can keep a nation out of chaos, but they cannot keep a person out of hell. Only the blood of Jesus can do that.” As the Apostle Paul said in the letter to the Ephesians, “ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days” Eph 5:16.
As a pastor, I have shepherded people who vote both ways, have friends who vote both ways, have family who vote both ways and I always seek to understand both sides of every issue. But it is very clear to me that the our current form of liberalism in America in many ways has abondoned God, righteousness, reason, truth, morality, and the sanctity of life, to be replaced with secular humanism, moral relativism, identity politcs, and corruption masquerading as virtue and compassion. This doesn’t even take into account foreign wars, the fentanyl crisis, and destabilization of the nuclear family and a mental health pandemic. As Paul said…”in these evil days.”
Lord willing this administration can bring needed common sense and reform but only Jesus can save souls. You cannot legislate morality and righteousness, that is inside job only accomplished by the gift of God through salvation in Jesus Christ.
3) Love your neighbor as you love yourself. I’ve been discouraged to see many every day people and “influencers” smugly gloating over the election results of night. STOP IT. This is what divides. I’d like you to imagine your candidate has lost last night, your worldview and hopes dealt a huge blow, knocking the wind out of your sails. How would you want to see the other side treating you? It is not the way we treat our friends that shows our witness of faith. It is how we treat our enemies! Those we do not agree with, believe like or live like are our neighbors. Jesus said,” So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” - Matthew 7:12.
4) Pray. Now more than ever we need not just political reform but spiritual revival. Pray that our nations sees revival. A return to the Lord. A repentance of sin. For the lost to encounter a living God. For justice for the powerless. For heaven’s wisdom and strategy for our nations leaders. For peace and unity to return to our land. For the prosperity of our nation that we could be a greater blessing the world.
5) Live out your faith. Proverbs 14:34 says, “righteousness exalts a nation but sin condemns any people” This means while this election was critical in the life of our nation, the scriptures declare that our individual and collective right standing and right living in God’s eyes is what determines the rise or fall of our nation. If our candidate gets in but we are living lives of sin and compromise, we are not contributing to the rise of our nation. Neither party has a monopoly on righteousness. It is vital for us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, individually and collectively… this is how respond to a Trump victory. Whether your candidate won or lost: Jesus is our Hope, Christ is our King, Righteousness is our Mandate and Revival is our prayer, ’On Earth as it is in Heaven’ is our Banner, and God is our Salvation.