Election Night 2008

With the lights off, the television set on, and Keilah sleeping by my side, I feel compelled to voice my opinion regarding the United States Presidential Election. I am not a US citizen, therefore I am not entitled to any vote. But the beauty of America is that I am still entitled to my opinion.

First, even though my position as a pastor of EL International Church Pasadena provides me with a platform to help sway peoples votes either one way or another, I will never do so for three reasons: 1) there are not nearly enough people in our congregation, 2) I was taught in EL Theological Seminary and by my grandfather that the position of a pastor should never be abused for politics, and 3) it is not, nor will it ever be my job and priority to tell the church who they should or should not vote for.

That is not important to me. I hope everyone understands that a US presidency can only last at most, 8 years. Not even Daniel's Seventieth Week is that long. But eternal life is.. well.. for eternity.Don't get me wrong. I am in no way diminishing the importance of a good government. But we have to understand that every government in place at this moment is in accordance to God's will. He has appointed each and every person in authority and leadership all around the world. If one party wins, the supporters of the other will not be happy and vice versa. It's a never ending cycle.

With that said, there is only one thing I would like to point out and this is the stance that I vehemently take. As long as there is a human being, man or woman, behind any governmental position of authority, power, or leadership, that government will ALWAYS be corrupt because man is inherently corrupt. Argue if you want. But if you can vote for who you want as president, then with that same freedom, I can say what I feel needs to be said.The only government that will ever be absolute and perfect is the government of which Jesus Christ, our Savior, will be head of. And my eyes for that prize.

Because of that, the priority of every Christian should not be to push the more conservative evangelical or the one with the agenda closest to Gods will. Rather, that should be secondary to the mission and ministry of leading others to Christ and sharing the Gospel of salvation with them. The political world should never take precedence over the spiritual. Because, as I've mentioned, eternal life is.. well.. for eternity.

In the end, whoever wins this election and all future ones, if the most conservative, down to earth, born again Christian wins because of the efforts of every church and religious organization, but not one other person comes to Christ, then what did we really gain?