cult of pride & Relaxation

Avoid the cult of pride and relaxation. If the presidential election turned out the way you wanted, you are probably happy. I know I am pleased. I have to admit I breathed a sigh of relief when the projections showed the former President as the winner. I felt myself relaxing after months of seeing and hearing how far we had fallen from the holiness of the Lord. Thankfully in a moment I was reminded that we did not elect a spiritual leader or even a man that shows the marks of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Despite the President Elect's claim that his life has been spared to save America (Acceptance Speech; Oct. 5, 2024) we have only elected a fallen human, a civil leader, a defender of some of our basic freedoms that as believers in Jesus Christ we should be thankful for.

Yet even in this moment, we need to remember that no government, no law or policies can change our sin nature from the worship of power and self to one of submission and humility in the face of the Sovereign. Morality will not ultimately be enforced through legislation, nor will a new administration be able to change the human character.

Therefore, it is not time to take a victory lap. It is time to respond on our knees with a humble and repentant heart to cry out for God’s restraint in bringing what we really deserve. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 sums up what we are to do at this moment and why.

“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. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

We need to remember Paul gave this exhortation to the Ephsians while they lived under the tyrant, Nero. Paul’s exhortation meant they were to pray for the Roman emperor, Nero, a cruel and vicious ruler who later had Paul beheaded and Peter crucified upside down. Paul encourages all followers of Jesus Christ to pray for two things in this passage:

First, we are to pray that all leaders, including our present leaders and those that are newly elected to repent of their rebellion against a holy God and to embrace the gospel.

Second, we are to pray that our leaders enact policies and laws that allow us to live “a peaceful and quiet life.” Peaceful and quiet means that we can live without the existence of external disturbances and intrusions. The only reason the church or followers of Jesus Christ should experience persecution is the result of living a blameless and righteous life in the midst of a “crooked and twisted generation” (Phil 2:14-16) and not because we are creating strife and rebelling against a government that has been sovereignly placed in our lives (1 Peter 2:13-17).

So, yes we may be thankful for the results of the election, but let's not forget that the Lord is the one who will ultimately bring salvation to individuals and nations.