HEELCATCHER

ran-cor. bitter, long-lasting resentment (from the Latin, rancorem, a stinking smell).

There is a stench surrounding the political climate in our nation right now…and its smell is getting on all of us.

It is hard to rise above it. It is hard to gain a breath of fresh air.

Our nation is polticitized, polarized, over media-ized. We have political news running out our ears with a politicized-round-the-clock news media eager to stuff us with more.

The more news we get, the angrier we become. We each have our favorite news outlets that tend to feed our own narrative and biases.

The angrier we become, the more divided and hateful we become.

We not only disagree. We despise.

And then we post it on social media.

Is there any hope? Is there any solution? Can we ever come back to a place of civil discourse where disagreement does not have to lead to intense, emotional, character-attacking division?

I wonder.

The world that Jesus entered was not a politically-neutral world. It was perhaps as politically-divided, racially-divided, and emotionally-charged as our own.

Among the Jewish people, there were political parties and political positions in vehement conflict with one another.

Pharisees, the religiously conservative, desperately trying to preserve the Jewish culture against the progressive, sexually permissive, pluralistic, pagan Graeco-Roman culture and slipping more and more into moralistic, compassionless legalism.

Sadducees, the religiously liberal, denying practically every supernatural element in their own religion, humanistic in approach, elitist in mentality, educated and willing to compromise with Graeco-Roman culture in order to promote their own social standing and political gain.

Essenes, the culturally separate, running into social isolation, disgusted with the religious debates and cultural compromises and determined to remain unstained from the world.

Zealots, the political activists, hoping for a revolution, disgusted with the Roman government and also with weak, wimpy, pansy-minded religionists, eager to create anger and chaos, through violence if necessary, to overthrow the powers that be.

That's just a slice of the political climate. It doesn't even touch the surface of other controversies and divisions such as the political legitimacy of Herod, the pervasive influence of Hellenism, and the racial hatred for Samaritans and Gentiles.

Into this world, Jesus was born.

Among these people, Jesus walked.

From these people, Jesus found His disciples…from a sell-out tax collector named Matthew to a politically-angry zealot named Simon.

And no matter how much the Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, and Zealots tried to drag him into a political controversy, He consistently rose above it.

Upholding truth. Showing love. Confronting sin. Offering compassion. Giving of Himself…all the way to the cross.

Jesus cannot be labeled. He cannot be put into a political category. He can not be co-opted into one's own activist movement.

He is Lord. He doesn't bow to our wishes, desires, opinions, and agendas. We bow to Him.

And He is Savior. He doesn't come to market himself, gain popularity, and follow opinion polls. He comes to die. For us. Democrats. Republicans. Libertarians. Environmentalists. Conservatives. Liberals. Originalists. Progressives. Tax Collectors. Zealots. Humans…with self-minded, self-protective, self-justifying, self-gratifying, bitter, fearful, doubtful, prideful, sinful hearts.

Our problem is not political. It is spiritual.

Thus, the solution is not political. It is spiritual.

Our biggest need is not a new government but a new heart.

We need forgiveness. We need grace. We need cleansing. We need the Spirit of God to transform us from the inside out. We need the aroma of a new life.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:14-16)

None of us are adequate for these things.

To navigate through an angry, unfair, biased, politicized culture is not easy. We must pick up the scent of our Savior each day and follow Him, letting His fragrance overpower the stench of political opinion and division.

Finding our joy, hope, and security in Him.

Living in integrity.

Being quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, remembering that our anger does not lead to the righteousness of God.

Letting our gentleness be known to all men.

Letting our speech always be with grace.

Speaking the truth in love.

Engaging moral issues not because we love our moral codes but because we love people and recognize the deceptive, addictive, destructive nature of sin.

Praying for our leaders not because we agree with them, or even like them, but because we recognize their influence on people and their need for a Savior.

Holding fast to Jesus Christ.

Not the re-imaged, re-written, re-duced Jesus of popular culture who morphs into whatever shape we want him to be.

But the prophesied, incarnated, crucified, resurrected, ascended Jesus of Scripture, who is coming again not to run for office but to set up an eternal, unshakable kingdom.

If a rancorous world is bothered by our smell, may it be because we are scented with that kingdom and not with a temporal political party.

May we have the aroma of the gospel and not our own odoriferous agenda.

May we smell like we have been with Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)

Election day. Finally.

After more than a year of campaigning, primaries, conventions, debates, polls, predictions, personal attacks, and national angst, we have arrived at the day of decision. A decision that will determine the trajectory of our nation for the foreseeable future.

At a time when we can easily be anxious, angry, discouraged, or downright depressed, Proverbs 21 contains two "bookends"–at the beginning and end of the chapter–that give us wisdom and perspective.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes (21:1).

"The farmer channels irrigation ditches where he wants them, where they will do the most good; so does the Lord with the king. No king is supreme; the Lord rules." (NET Bible)

Nebuchadnezzar, one of the most powerful dictators in human history, learned that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets over it the lowest of men (Daniel 4:17b).

God reigns. He raises up leaders and brings them down. And He can put even the "lowest of men" in power if He so chooses. Indeed, even the strongest earthly leader is still a human–weak, limited, mortal, and accountable to God.

In other words, God is not worried about this election. He is already in Wednesday of this week and is still working all things according to the counsel of His will (Ephesians 1:11).

Proverbs 21 ends with two more perspective-giving verses.

No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD (21:30).

Even Pharaoh, the king of Egypt who mercilessly oppressed the children of Israel and stubbornly resisted God, found out that indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth (Exodus 9:16).

Even those who unjustly and mockingly delivered up Jesus to be crucified did so according to the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God (Acts 2:23).

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD (21:31).

Here is the appropriate balance.

Yes, God is sovereign. Yes, God's purpose cannot be thwarted. Yes, ultimate success comes from the Lord. But we still prepare the horse for battle.

"Ultimate success comes from the Lord and not from human efforts. The faithful have acknowledged this down through the ages, even though they have been responsible and have prepared for the wars." (NET Bible)

God's sovereignty is not an excuse for human passivity rather it is the motivation for human activity without fear.

We prepare. We pray. We seek counsel. We strategize. And then we go forward into the battles of this life knowing that God is with us.

Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced an enormous battle against an enemy much greater than his own army. He was genuinely afraid but he set himself to seek the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:3). And God reassured him with these words: Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's (20:15).

So the next day Jehoshaphat and the army of Judah went out into battle…singing (20:21). Probably the first singing, battle-ready army in history!

They didn't stay home and they didn't fear…they trusted the Lord and they sang.

Prayer, preparation, and praise.

You seek the Lord's will, you do want you can do, and you leave the results in God's hands.

And then you sing.

Because our God reigns.

I recently read an article by John Piper entitled, "Christian, You Are Free Not to Vote."

It's true. There is no biblical mandate that says we must vote and, in Christ, we are free from the "inherent authority of human institutions" to follow Him above all.

So why do I think that we should vote?

1. We are part of the governmental process.

We are a nation, as described by Abraham Lincoln, of the people, by the people, for the people. It is a unique system of government in the history of the world. We are not ruled by kings but rather by a Constitution that gives us a part in the governmental process.

We may not want it, appreciate it, or even like it. But we have been given a voice, an active role, a vote in the direction of the nation, and it would seem to be an abdication of responsibility to neglect it or run from it when the choices get difficult.

In some sense, we are like a Joseph, Daniel, Nehemiah, or Esther, given a part in a secular government. If this is a valid comparison (which I think it is), then like Joseph we should seek to use our ability to preserve life (Gen. 45:5), like Daniel we should seek to speak boldly and compassionately despite the consequences (Dan.4:27), like Nehemiah we should pray for opportunity to protect and provide for God's people (Neh. 1:11; 2:7-8), and like Esther we should use whatever influence and voice we have to hinder the spread of evil (Esther 5:14).

It is only one vote…but it is our voice.

2. We understand the impact of government.

In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges prayer for all people, with a special focus on governmental leaders.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The decisions of governmental leaders affect many lives in the nation and in the church. That is why Paul urged prayer for those in authority. Our prayer is that governmental leaders would rule wisely and justly, come to know Christ as Savior, and provide and protect religious liberty, allowing us to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.

Certainly if we are to pray for religious liberty, we should also use whatever influence we have within government (e.g., a vote) to preserve it as well.

3. We have been given a great privilege through the sacrifice of others.

For those of us who have grown up in America, we certainly take our freedoms and system of government for granted. In fact, we spend much of our time complaining about it! But our freedom and our ability to vote came with great cost and therefore it should be appreciated.

The apostle Paul was privileged to be a Roman citizen. Though he remembered that his ultimate citizenship was in heaven (Philippians 3:20), Paul also used the rights of his Roman citizenship to call out injustice (Acts 16:37), to protect himself from unlawful punishment (Acts 22:25), and to seek a fair trial (Acts 25:11). Paul did not abuse his citizenship for personal gain, rather he used it strategically, when he was able, for the purpose of justice, protection, and the advancement of the gospel.

As citizens of America, we should thank God for the privileges we have and pray that we would use them wisely and strategically for His glory and our good as a nation.

But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:7).

Even if you are struggling with your vote for president, there are numerous other national, state, and local races that have tremendous impact on people in our nation.

As people with a great privilege and a great responsibility, we should care enough to pray, care enough to be informed, and care enough to vote.

I guess just about everyone has an opinion on the upcoming presidential election.

Here’s mine.

“It’s a mess.”

I love our nation and I am so thankful for the freedom, stability, security, and prosperity that we enjoy. Yes, we have our sins and shortcomings as a people but overall we live in one of the most privileged nations in the world…not only in modern times but in all of history. We have been exceedingly blessed.

So I lament the condition that we are in as a nation.

We are angry, divided, cynical, critical, dissatisfied and distrustful of one another.

It feels like our nation is coming apart at the seams. And this current election is only increasing the schism.

The two major party candidates are perhaps the most disliked and flawed in American history. Current polls say that close to 60% of the population extremely dislikes one of them. Thus, regardless of who wins on November 8, over half of the population will be sick to their stomachs. Hardly the prescription for national healing.

So how do I navigate through this mess? How do I vote? Should I even vote?

As a Christian, I have been confused, conflicted, and concerned throughout this election cycle.

Confused.

I’ll be honest. In watching the Republican primaries, I wanted any other candidate besides Trump to win. If there is one thing that the Bible emphasizes over and over when it comes to leadership, it is that character matters…character matters…characters matters. This is not about being moralistic but about being wise. A person can only lead out of the character they possess. Even if they have incredible skill and talent, their character will eventually seep through and affect everything they do. I simply could not…and still cannot…overlook, dismiss, or downplay his abusive language, sexual infidelity, and self-promoting pride. It is not just “locker room speech.” It is sin. It is not just “strong talk.” It is arrogance. It is not “just words.” It is the overflow of the heart (Matt. 12:34-37).

Conflicted.

But when I look at the other major option for president, I can equally say character matters…character matters…character matters. And though Clinton's sins and character flaws may be more covert and less sensational, they are equally disturbing. Political calculation. Media manipulation. Gross negligence. Denying responsibility. Skirting the law. Playing the political game. Holding both “public” and “private” positions for personal gain and power. The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them (1 Tim. 5:24).

Both major candidates fail the basic character test in my opinion.

So where do you go from there? The lesser of two evils? Third party? No vote?

In a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, I think we do have the privilege and responsibility to be involved in our governmental process…and at the very least, voting. Sure it is messy, unpleasant, and confusing but so is the rest of life. Ethical decisions in a sin-impacted, dysfunctional world are the challenges that force us to walk in humble dependence on the Lord.

It is hard for me to sit this election out. The next president could in theory appoint two or three Supreme Court justices during his/her term. Though the Supreme Court should not wield so much power, in our current political climate it does. When unelected judges appointed for life can “interpret” the Constitution based on their own political and social theories, then the balance of power has tilted to the judicial branch…with each Supreme Court appointee potentially influencing judicial decisions for the next 30-40 years. This is the real “prize” that many Democrats and Republicans are fighting for.

Plus I have read both the Democratic and Republican platforms…and they are miles apart. The Republican platform supports the sanctity of life, the biblical definition of marriage, the foundational priority of the family, and the protection of religious liberty. The Democratic platform either ignores these issues or rejects them outright. In the end, voting for a platform may be more important than voting for a candidate, even if going third party. That is where I have landed at this point.

Concerned.

This election is more about the character of our nation than the character of the candidates. Joseph de Maistre, a French philosopher, once said, “Every nation gets the government it deserves.” We have become a divided, distracted, angry, vulgar, entertainment-hungry culture. Our nominated candidates reflect our desire for image over substance and our abandonment of absolute truth for individual autonomy.

The book of Judges describes the nation of Israel at its lowest point…And there was no king in Israel and everyone did what was right in their own eyes (17:6; 21:25). The people had no authority and wanted no authority. They rejected God and denied His law. They wanted to become their own gods and the whole land suffered for it.

In other words, our real issues are spiritual not political.

No politician…no law…can change our hearts.

For that matter, no politician…no law…can end sickness, ban natural disasters, abolish death, transform lives, or promise eternal life.

Thus, our ultimate confidence must not be in “princes” or political leaders but in God (Ps. 118:8-9). This is not simply a cliché. When we are anxious, angry, or desperate for our candidate to win, then we betray where our true confidence lies. We can easily forget that God is sovereign and can direct a leader’s heart like channels of water (Prov. 21:1). Even the worst candidate elected could be humbled, changed, and redirected by the power of the gospel (e.g., 2 Chron. 33:12; 1 Tim. 1:13). Whatever happens on November 8, God is still on His throne working all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11).

Let your speech always be with grace… (Col. 4:6).

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth… (Eph. 4:29).

Remind them…to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men… (Titus 3:1-2).

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called… (1 Pet. 3:9).

Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all… (Rom. 12:17).

Even in a divided, cantankerous, confusing election, do not forget your calling, lose your focus, or harm your testimony for the sake of a post on social media.

So what is my position on this election?

Kneeling.

I am praying for wisdom as I go to the voting booth, for the preservation of religious liberty, for the salvation of governmental leaders, and for the church in America to be strengthened and unified around the power of the gospel rather than the power of politics (1 Tim. 2:1-8). And I am also praying that God will somehow act to bring healing and revival to this nation… that in His wrath, He would remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).

I know everyone has an opinion on this election but wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord” (Prov. 9:10). Seek His face and cry out for His wisdom. He alone knows the future and knows what is best for our nation.

The simple promise of Proverbs 3:5-6 is more relevant than ever:

Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Certainly that includes a ballot in a messy election.