Hope Church

On the day after the election, I want to issue a challenge to both sides of the aisle.  No matter if your candidate won or lost, I
want to encourage you to think about some scripture that should guide your attitudes, words, and actions for the next four years and hopefully beyond. 

If your candidate won my challenge to you . . .

is not to place your ultimate hope in a mere man, a government, or a political party.  For that matter, ultimate hope cannot be found by anyone or any organization from this planet.  BUT, there is a hope that goes beyond our current victories or failures.  There is a hope that goes beyond our life.  And that hope does not rest on an elected president but on a God-man.  My challenge to you is that you firmly rest your hope there and there alone.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and
character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5

That hope extends beyond the next four years.  That hope extends beyond economic changes.  That hope extends beyond our last breath.  Hope in Christ alone.

If your candidate lost my challenge to you . . .

is to honor your new president.  Thank God for him.  Pray for him.  Don't pray against him but actually prayfully thank God for him.  Before you joke or criticize, pray.  Your King commands you to.

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.

1 Timothy 2:1-4  

And realize the great gospel opportunity that has been presented to us.  How you respond to those you disagree with draws a picture of the gospel you really believe. What picture will you draw? 

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.  Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honor the emperor.  

1 Peter 2:13-17   

Some other helpful posts

Finally I would like to provide some links to a few spots on the web this morning that have some great challenges and considerations for us. 

Josh Harris calls to pray for President Obama

Mark Driscoll shows us how this election highlights people's desire for real Savior

Alvin Sanders asks us to pause and appreciate the historicity of the moment