Who will be your savior this November 4th? (pt. II)
By now you must be wondering why I’ve titled my posts “Who will be your savior this November 4th?”- this is because I am very wary about the nature in which most political jargon has been used in this election. With speeches filled with the word “hope” I am in awe as to how a president’s candidacy has the capacity to turn into a secular religion. Again, I am not endorsing any candidate, but I think it would bode us well to discuss the manner in which most of our generation are viewing the candidates.
I had the privilege of attending a rally here at VCU where former President Bill Clinton made a speech endorsing Obama. Maybe its the nature of rallies in general (and I’m almost positive that McCain/Palin rallies are no different), but it bothers me how people react at them. Literally, ear-shattering-orgasmic-sounds were coming from an elderly woman right next to me, and it was obvious from observing her during the whole event that her whole faith and trust were put into a sinful human being (we are all sinful, by the way).
Let me be the bearer of good news, there is a man who has come and died on our behalf and is calling each and everyone of us to put our faith in trust in Him, and he was sinless! He is our hope, and it is in Him we find salvation- and Him alone- not Barack Obama or John McCain. Neither Obama nor McCain can save our nation (and the irony is that I’ve heard this phrase used often!) only Christ Jesus can.
I think Paul Henderson said it best in his post, “My Beef with Barack:”
I have been asked am I a Democrat or Republican. “Who are you voting for Paul? Obama or McCain?” Yes, obviously I am a black man…but that is not the first thing that defines me…nor am I defined by some political party. You know, I found out a while ago that my identity is in Christ alone. What disgusts me is the pedestal on which some Christians will place Obama. “Change we can believe in” is one of the slogans I have seen…and I am actually starting to believe that people are actually believing in this man more than they believe in Jesus Christ. Last time I checked, Jesus Christ is the one who changed me and my situation. He is the one who washed my mind and changed my heart. When I think of change I can believe in, I think of my savior. Jesus Christ is the one who came down to this Earth and was persecuted and whipped and ultimately died so that I can live. I don’t know about you, but that is what I call change that you can believe in. Jesus Christ has never failed me…even though I have failed him time and time again (and I’m sure some of you have seen me fail…but I thank Jesus for His blood that has washed away all my sins). I cannot put any man on a pedestal…because just like he is put up…he can also fall down. It bothers me when people are so quick to ask you or even lecture or preach to you about Obama…when there are souls in the world that need to be saved. Last I checked, Matthew 28:18-20 tells us “Christians” this: “Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” I do not see anywhere in that passage where this is saying that this is His commission to just pastors or evangelists. This is His commission to all who believe and as a community, I am seeing more “Christians” standing up for Barack Obama than standing up for Jesus Christ? What is our world coming to? Is Barack Obama just a fresh face and is all this Jesus stuff just getting old and boring? My main thing is people…please remember the one who died for you. Remember the one who loves you…even when you choke or mess up. Remember the one who has never and will never fail you. Man will always fail you, but Jesus Christ never has and will never fail you.
Jesus for President 08′:
Alright, so I know it seems like I’m endorsing Jesus and the reality is he’s not running. But, I think this post is necessary because there are many who don’t view the love and adoration they have towards a candidate as being borderline idol worship. When as brothers and sisters in Christ we cannot love one another but end up arguing who the other person is voting for I think that says something about the nature to which we view our own candidate. To put into perspective the reality of these candidates sinfulness and ultimately their depravity I think gives a legitimate view of the fact that they are creatures who were created by the Creator- and that anything less than Him is insufficient- this is the reality of a fallen world.
Additionally, I think its a bit arrogant to have anyone tell you they are going to “pray for you” or be “disappointed” regarding your political decisions. I’m one of many Christians (I know of) who have been told that if they even consider voting for Obama they are pretty much endorsing the enemy. Let me exhort you, I have faith in the Holy Spirit in each and everyone of you- and I know (or at least hope) that Christ’s ideals inform many of your decisions (political and the other). As long as we recognize that we will eventually give an account for everything we’ve done on earth (including how we vote), I’m almost positive as a Christian your vote will be based on an aspect (or aspects) of God’s ideals. There is no need for me to feel disappointed in you - whether you vote for McCain, Obama, Nader, Barr, McKinney- because I know that most of you are voting based on what you think God’s heart is concerned about.
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thx mon. for a great post. I don’t want to downplay the importance of us voting, but i’ve found myself on more than one occasion this past week talking about exactly this. Jesus is our savior, we pray, we get informed, we vote, we respect our God appointed leaders, and in the end, trust our Heavenly Father regardless of what we ‘think’ should happen. refreshing.