Opportunities Before the Election

In November this year, the United States presidential election will once again dominate much of the news. Many other important elections will also occur, including 33 Senate seats, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives, and 11 governors. The United States isn’t alone, as 2024 will see a record number of important elections worldwide—potentially leading to major geopolitical changes.

As important as elections are, Tomorrow’s World often highlights the biblical truth about how Christians should avoid engaging in politics and elections. Let’s take note of two biblical opportunities that sincere Christians have leading up to the election, even as they avoid direct involvement.

First, we should always pray for our leaders. The Apostle Paul made this point directly in 1 Timothy 2:1–2: “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.” It’s interesting that Paul encouraged the churches to pray for authority figures even during the reign of Nero, a man who would make most leaders look relatively well-behaved today!

A key reason to show respect to and even pray for our leaders is because God gave them the authority they have, as Romans 13:1 explains: “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.”

Christians should regularly pray for our leaders no matter who is in power, especially during a tumultuous election season. Take time leading up to the election to pray for our current president, Mr. Biden, and the two presidential candidates, Mrs. Harris and Mr. Trump.

Second, we should strive to follow Jesus’ example of political abstinence. Christ had all the power in the world to change any leader He wanted within the Roman Empire, from Pontius Pilate to the emperor himself. If He could raise the dead, Christ could certainly change a human leader (Daniel 2:21). But notice His statement to Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36).

Christ explained to Pilate that it wasn’t the time for Him or His servants to fight, politically or physically. The reason is that the current world and its governments are not His (John 14:30). Yet we must never forget that the time will come for Him to intervene directly and bring His Kingdom. Following Christ’s non-political example helps Christians avoid the pigsty of the current political process, a mire full of mudslinging, animosity, lies, corruption, greed, and many other forms of unrighteousness.

If Christians take advantage of these two opportunities leading up to November’s elections, there will be two important results. First, they will feel more peace as they observe political events and as elections unfold. Today’s political environment is saturated with troubling laws, behavior, decisions, attitudes, and people. Following God’s guidance can help us feel peace even during unpeaceful times.

The second result is that Christians will set a righteous example. Christ said in Matthew 5:16 that Christians should let their light shine by the way they live. If Christians pray for their leaders—no matter who their leaders are—while remaining politically neutral in action and even heart, they will shine a biblical light in a dark world.

Ultimately, Christians are ambassadors for a country not their own—just pilgrims passing through (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our ultimate hope is not in an improved democracy, but a new kingdom; not a reformed country, but a heavenly one; and not a better president, but the perfect and righteous King.

If you would like to learn more about this topic, please read “Dangerous ‘Christianity’” in the September–October 2024 Tomorrow’s World magazine.