On Tuesday, a record number of Americans cast a ballot for the next President of the United States. In fact, almost 20 million more voted, than has voted in the last four presidential elections. The decision rendered on Tuesday came at the end of one of our nation’s most divided, but pivotal, election cycles. For many professing Christians, Tuesday’s choice altered much.

However, there were three things that remained completely unchanged by this week’s absolutely historic election. One, nothing changed with respect to the unalterable fact that God is still in control. Psalm 11:4 says, “The LORD is in His holy temple, the Lord’s throne is in heaven.” That is, God isn’t affected adversely, by that which causes us even great consternation. Plainly put, He is still in charge and always will be. Years ago, a wise pastor asked me this probing question, “Has it ever occurred to you that nothing has ever occurred to God?” That was his way of clearly saying, God has it all within the control of His sovereign hand. Elections may come and elections may go. But, God’s place of absolute prominence remains unaffected. He isn’t elected, but rather rules by Divine fiat.

Second, regardless of an election outcome, Jesus is still the answer to man’s greatest need. Mankind is born in a sinful state and desperately needs a Redeemer. The only One who can remedy that eternally important need is the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. As important as is a national presidential election, the choice made in the ballot box pales into insignificance compared to life’s most important decision, what to do with Jesus, Who is called the Christ. That is a decision made in the heart.

Finally, regardless of the outcome of this most recent election, or any subsequent one, we (as followers of Christ) still have an obligation, even a Divine commission, to be involved in spreading the message of the gospel–a message that declares there is hope for the most wretched sinner. And, that hope is found in Jesus and a relationship with Him, secured through His death, burial, and resurrection. Declaring this life-altering, and eternity-altering message is the primary mission of every believer in Christ.

Now, please don’t interpret my words here to mean that Tuesday’s choice was inconsequential. It was anything but! The choice of a president, senator, congressman, state legislator, county commissioner, can, and does, impact our lives. For many of us, who voted our Christian conscience on Tuesday, the outcome will make it easier for us to live our Christian faith as the Scriptures say we should. In fact, the very reason for which we are to pray for our leaders is that, “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Timothy 2:2).

Any candidate, whether on the national or local level, who attempts to inhibit our freedom to practice our Christian faith, should be soundly and unequivocally rejected.

So, Tuesday changed nothing, and yet potentially changed a lot. If our next president facilitates the free exercise of what the Founders called our “First Liberty” (the unlimited practice of our faith), then not only will people of faith be the better, so will the nation.

Dave Kistler
President, HOPE Ministries International/HOPE To The Hill
President, North Carolina Pastors Network (NCPN)
Co-host, Stand In The Gap Radio