How to Navigate Election Season
As I write this, we are in the midst of a presidential election — and you can feel the tension. This week, former President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt. President Biden just withdrew from the race. Social media is ablaze with opinions, hot takes, and conspiracy theories. And we’re just getting started.
In a recent elder meeting, we discussed the importance of navigating times like this with the hope of Christ and the holiness of Christ. This is a time of confusion, stress, and anger for many. We want to remind you of who God is and who you are so that you’re not tossed to and fro but joyfully anchored in Christ.
In Titus 3, Paul tells his beloved Titus to remind the church who they are. (Please take a moment to read Titus 3:1-11.) He gives some instructions to Titus as he pastors this flock:
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities. This is blasphemy to many Americans, but it is obedience to God. We serve the One True King, Christ Jesus, and therefore the heads of earthly government do not determine our ultimate fate. We are to showcase a heavenly priority, not an earthly anxiety. We are to submit to the authority of the government. That’s what it says.
Remind them to be obedient. Now, this might tie into the reminder to obey rulers and authorities, but the higher call here is obedience to God. We obey God first, foremost, and always. If a government asks us — or even compels us at gunpoint — to disobey God, we choose to obey God over the government. We are to be submissive to the government and obedient to God, but if the two conflict, we must choose obedience to God and entrust the consequences to His sovereign guidance.
Remind them to be ready for every good work. Throughout Titus 3 there is a call to devotion to good works (V1, 8, 14). This election season is an opportunity to showcase the grace and kindness of Christ. Seek to demonstrate the good and beautiful character of Jesus amidst the division, speculation, and hysteria. By the Spirit, we can display Christ in the chaos.
Remind them to speak evil of no one. Do you see the exception here? There isn’t one. Don’t speak evil of people. Don’t mock liberals or conservatives or candidates of either party. Don’t insult image-bearers of God, regardless of what they stand for. When in doubt, shut your mouth (Proverbs 10:19).
Remind them to avoid quarreling. Proverbs 15:1 says “a soft answer turns away wrath …”. Be armed with a soft answer and godly character not with arguments. On social media and at the Thanksgiving table, bring the tender grace of Jesus with you to share with your friends and family.
Remind them to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy. Here is a helpful summary statement: Be gentle and courteous to people.
This all sounds well and good, but how do we do this? It isn’t easy.
We do this by bowing before the cross of Christ in remembrance of who God is and who we are.
These reminders, these charges, are all tied to V3-7. Paul is saying you were once an enemy of God, but Jesus died to make you a child of God. You deserved wrath, but you got pardon and everlasting love. Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, treat other undeserving sinners the way you have been treated. How could we who deserve death and yet were given life at the cost of the Lamb be anything other than gracious to others? It doesn’t matter who they vote for, or what they believe. You represent Jesus to the world — do not defame His name. Glorify Him through your godly conduct.
Beloved church family, enter this election season remembering that Christ is your King. So vote as best you can, but remember you are not staking your identity or your eternity on a candidate but on Christ.
One final charge: you need to be under the Word of God. Come to church on Sunday. Do not forsake the gathering of the saints (Hebrews 10:24-25). Read your Bible and create time to pray. You are being discipled and trained by the world if you are not being discipled and trained by God’s Word.
May our lives commend our message in these contentious times: we are sinners saved by grace, praise be to God! May TDC be a people so lavished with the grace of God that we lavishly share it with others — no matter how they vote, think, or act.
We love you dearly.
In His grace,
Brad Larson
Argyle Campus Pastor
Thank you, Pastor Brad, for this timely and beautiful reminder that Titus 3:1-11 provides a solid strategy for navigating our dark world. Sometimes we need to be reminded to look to Scripture for answers. Your words encourage and reassure. Eyes on the cross.