By Pastor Steve Goode | Northside Baptist Church
I want you to imagine something.
It's the morning after an election.
Some people are celebrating. Others are disappointed. Some are angry, while others are simply thankful the campaign advertisements have finally stopped.
But here's what I want you to understand.
Regardless of who wins an election, the Church of Jesus Christ still has the same assignment.
The Great Commission has not been canceled.
The Gospel has not changed.
The needs of our neighbors haven't disappeared.
And Jesus Christ has not surrendered His throne.
Sometimes we become so consumed with what happens in the political world that we forget the mission Jesus entrusted to His people.
Our Calling Doesn't Change With Election Results
In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations.
That command wasn't conditional upon the government supporting Christianity.
It wasn't dependent upon society agreeing with biblical truth.
And it certainly wasn't limited to times when believers felt comfortable with their political circumstances.
The early church carried the Gospel into a world governed by the Roman Empire.
Christians faced opposition, persecution, and serious difficulties.
Yet the Gospel continued to spread.
Why?
Because the power of the Gospel never depended upon the approval of earthly rulers.
And that same Gospel is still transforming lives today.
We Have Work to Do Right Here
At Northside Baptist Church, our calling isn't theoretical.
It's personal.
Every week, members of our church prepare and distribute more than 130 breakfasts to people experiencing homelessness in Greensboro.
That's more than 6,700 meals over the course of a year if that weekly pace continues.
Think about that.
Thousands of opportunities to serve someone, offer encouragement, pray with an individual, and demonstrate the compassion of Christ.
And that is just one part of what God has called our congregation to do.
There are children who need to hear about Jesus.
There are teenagers trying to make sense of a confusing world.
There are families under tremendous financial and emotional pressure.
There are seniors who feel forgotten.
There are hurting people who need someone to care.
And there are lost people who desperately need the hope of the Gospel.
None of those needs will disappear the day after an election.
Pray for Those Who Govern
In 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Paul instructs believers to pray for kings and all who hold positions of authority.
That's a remarkable instruction when you consider the government under which the early Christians lived.
Paul wasn't telling Christians to pray only for leaders they liked.
He wasn't telling them to pray only when government decisions were favorable.
He called them to pray for those in authority so that people might live peaceful, godly, and dignified lives.
That's something we need to practice more consistently.
We can pray for wisdom in government.
We can pray for justice.
We can pray for peace in our communities.
We can pray that leaders would exercise their responsibilities with integrity.
And we can pray that the Gospel would continue to advance.
Prayer shouldn't be something we reserve for moments when we're worried about the future.
It ought to be a regular part of our lives.
The Church Must Remain the Church
There is a temptation for churches to measure their effectiveness by their influence in society.
How much attention are we getting?
Are powerful people listening?
Are our views reflected in the latest laws?
Those questions can sometimes reflect legitimate concerns.
But they are not the ultimate measure of a church's faithfulness.
The more important questions are spiritual.
Are people hearing the Gospel?
Are believers growing in their relationship with Christ?
Are we loving one another?
Are we caring for the hurting?
Are we making disciples?
Are we remaining faithful to Scripture?
A church can have very little political influence and still be a powerful witness for Jesus Christ.
And a church can have tremendous public influence while neglecting the very mission Jesus gave it.
We should never confuse the two.
When the Election Is Over, Keep Serving
There will always be another election.
There will always be another national controversy.
There will always be another issue demanding our attention.
But the opportunities to serve the people around us are happening right now.
There are hungry people who need food today.
There are lonely people who need encouragement today.
There are families who need prayer today.
There are people who need to hear about Jesus today.
And we don't need to wait for an election result to begin loving them.
I hope Christians will take their responsibilities as citizens seriously.
But even more importantly, I hope we'll take our responsibility as followers of Jesus Christ seriously.
Because when all the votes have been counted, and all the speeches have ended, and the campaign signs have come down, one truth will remain unchanged:
Jesus Christ is still Lord, and His Church still has work to do.
So Northside, let's keep preaching.
Let's keep serving.
Let's keep loving.
And let's keep pointing people to Jesus.
Pastor Steve Goode