Election Promises, God’s Promises

 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)

This is the season in our nation’s four-year cycle where grandiose promises are being thrown out by both sides of the political spectrum.  From protection from “climate change”, free education at 4-year public colleges and a ban on “assault weapons” on the Left, to deporting all illegal immigrants, ending the Russia-Ukraine war, and prevent US investments in Chinese companies on the Right.  Believers in Christ with a Biblical Worldview must be level-headed and wise in these situations!

We recognize from Romans 1, 7, John 8, 1 Corinthians 1-2 and other passages that humankind is enslaved to sin, and fully corrupted by it.  We also know that from world history that Marxism has never worked, and their utopian vision only serves to benefit those in the ruling class.  Yet in an election year in particular, so many are swayed by those promises that would most benefit the individual, potentially.

“Free college, anyone?”  “Free healthcare for immigrants”?  "I promise an end to war"? All these appeal to the flesh, the sin nature, and believers must keep in mind that even if it doesn’t win us over, it will be very tempting to those who life for nothing beyond this life.  But Christians are remade by God’s Spirit to think differently!  Money and possessions are not merely “earned”, they are entrusted to us for an eternal purpose.  Our identity has changed to become His Stewards and Servants, even as we are called His children, adopted into His family, the Church.  Our lives?  Perhaps this is best summed up by Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Our Holy God is on a different level entirely.

Every promise that He makes will be kept perfectly, in His timing.  Joshua 23:14, "You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Or, 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.  Paul’s point in Romans 9 is that none of God’s promises have failed, because His promises to bless  had been extended to “true, faithful Israel” and not to the natural offspring. 

We can also see how God’s promises given to His People are really about Christ Jesus: 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ.  And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God.”  God’s infallible promises to us have a very specific purpose: for us to live differently in this life!  2 Peter 1:4, “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”

It is not only that God is more trustworthy than man on His promises, but also that His promises are better!  They are for Christ’s eternal glory, our eternal rewards, and an “inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade, kept in heaven for you” 1 Peter 1:4!  Sure, we are to work towards God’s Kingdom being realized “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), and we are also to care for physical needs as well as spiritual ones, things that presidential campaign promises might include.

However, our lives must prioritize the eternal destiny of humankind and Judgment Day over the fleeting things of this life, and may the world take note of this!  They must see that we believe Him when He said “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you” and Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." 

Jesus is ultimately our “Pearl of Great Price” (Matthew 13:44), that is a treasure so valuable that we’d be willing to sell everything we own (if that is what it would take) to obtain it (Him).  Let us be like our Lord, who demonstrated that trust in the Heavenly Father through the giving of His Own Life, and let us be like Him in our resurrection as well!  In God we Trust!