From time to time, I read things many of my colleagues across the country are reading or writing. I recently received a blog post from Dr. Barrett Mosbacker, the Head of School at Westminster Academy in St. Louis, MO. With his permission, I share his words of wisdom regarding the upcoming election results. I believe you will find it encouraging and timely for you and your family.
Kevin Mosley
Head of School
A Biblical Response to a Presidential Election
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
Isaiah 26:3
At the time of this writing, I do not know who will win the election. But, I am sure some will celebrate the results, while others will be disappointed, even despairing. Regardless of the outcome or whom we voted for, I am writing to encourage us to respond with hearts and minds at peace, trusting God, who ‘removes kings and sets up kings.’ I’m also writing to encourage us to show respect for all, neither gloating over nor demeaning the ‘other side.’
Elections and the Providence of God
Though the world is frequently in turmoil with political strife, God calls his people to remain firmly anchored in an unwavering trust in His good and wise providence. Providence is a word seldom used by contemporary Christians. That is unfortunate because understanding the doctrine of providence can bring peace to anxious hearts and minds.
Theologians define providence as God’s active role in sustaining, guiding, and governing everything that happens, including human decisions, for His purposes and glory. He works through secondary causes—for instance, the laws of physics and human choices—to accomplish His will. Nothing happens by chance because God is working out His will in all events, both good and evil (Isaiah 45:7)1, for His glory and the good of His church: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). What is true for the individual believer is true for the universal church in all places, at all times, in all circumstances. It is true for all Christians, regardless of the outcome of any election. If God does not control all things, including the outcome of an election, Romans 8:28 cannot be true.
Trusting God’s providence does not mean that the outcome of an election is unimportant or that we should stoically ignore the issues at stake. Elections matter, and we are called to be biblically informed, responsible citizens. However, the lasting peace Jesus promises is not dependent on election results. It comes by placing our trust in God and His wise, holy, and sovereign Providence.
Biblical Responses to Election Results
I encourage us to respond biblically, regardless of the election’s outcome. Jesus calls Christians to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13–14). To faithfully fulfill this calling, our words and actions must be distinct from the world’s. Here are a few ways we can faithfully live as salt and light.
PRAY FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS
Prayer should be our first response before and after an election. Paul instructs us to pray for our leaders regardless of party or our vote. He urges Timothy: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1–2). Prayer is a holy response and more effective than our anger or anxiety. Pray; don’t panic.
HONOR AUTHORITIES
God commands us to obey and honor civil authorities unless they command us to disobey Him. As Titus 3:1–2 instructs: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people”—which includes all government officials and the “other side,” regardless of party and whether we voted for them or not. Similarly, Peter says, “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17).
OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD
Paul tells us that the weapons of our spiritual warfare are not of this world (2 Corinthians 10:3ff). In Romans 12:21, he tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Unrighteous anger (James 1:20) and verbal abuse, online or offline, are of this world; they are not of the Holy Spirit. We overcome evil not through unrighteous anger and lashing out but by embodying the gospel in our conversations and actions. We overcome evil by promoting justice and righteousness and by reflecting the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). The fruit of the Spirit is in sharp contrast to the works of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19–21).
We are to be people reflecting the fruit of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh.
SUPPORTING STUDENTS
We understand that the election results will evoke different reactions from our students. To help them develop a biblical perspective and response, teachers will engage with and support students as needed. They will gently remind students of the importance of respecting each other.
Our response to the election will influence how our children and students view politics and integrate their Christian faith. What will our words and actions teach them? Will it be a lesson of anxiety and anger or one of trusting God, praying for authorities, and pursuing justice and righteousness in a Christ-like manner?
Peter urges us to “keep [our] conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against [us] as evildoers, they may see [our] good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). Fear, anxiety, unrighteous anger, and demeaning words are not honorable. Such behavior gives unbelievers a reason to accuse Christians of hypocrisy and fails to present a winsome invitation to the gospel. We must never forget that the honor of Christ and the testimony of the gospel are far more critical than the outcome of any election.
THE BLESSING OF PEACE IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS
A biblical response to the election’s outcome will promote unity and peace. Several passages speak to the importance of being peacemakers:
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9).
As we gather with family and friends for Thanksgiving, the election outcome will inevitably come up, possibly leading to heated discussions. This presents a valuable opportunity for each of us to be a peacemaker amid political disagreement. It is a prime moment for us to model the gospel’s power to transform lives and promote peace, regardless of our perspective on the outcome of an election.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of the outcome of the election, may these words from Paul encourage us to be people of inward and outward peace:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you (2 Thessalonians 3:16).
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13).
We will soon know the election results. As we contemplate them, remember we are to be people of faith, not fear, people of courage, not contempt or cynicism, and people filled with wisdom, not worry.
Let us anchor our hearts and souls to faith in God’s good, wise, and sovereign providence so that we may be at peace with ourselves and others and be shining lights of gospel truth in a dark world.
Dr. Barrett Mosbacker
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