The truth is that although we like to claim that ours is a Christian nation, that is no longer demonstrably true. An argument can be made that we were founded upon Christian principles and once aspired to Christian ideals (albeit imperfectly throughout our national history). But that is no longer the case.
When our president makes the unfettered slaughter of unborn children a central theme of his administration, undermines God’s natural order relative to man and woman, upends the God-established covenant of marriage, and celebrates deviancy at every turn—with widespread approval within our culture—such a claim mocks God.
I say this with a broken heart.
Does that mean that we should not advocate for our nation? Of course not! John MacArthur says, “Complete noninvolvement would be contrary to what God’s Word says about doing good in society.” Wherever Christians live, they should be dedicated to the betterment of their family, their community, and their country. That is also a biblical mandate (Galatians 6:10, Titus 3:1-2)
Our Responsibility
The most dramatic example of tough faith in the midst of a pagan society—and the responsibility that the people of God bear—is given to us by Jeremiah. The “weeping prophet” was forced to witness the devastation of his beloved homeland and the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple. He had faithfully warned the people of Judah that they were doomed if they did not return to the LORD (3:12-14), repenting and putting away their detestable things (4:1-2), and circumcising themselves by “[removing] the foreskins of [their] heart” (4:4).
Our first responsibility is to sound a clear warning to our wayward nation. “God will not be mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Many have been deceived into believing that flaunting wickedness has no repercussions—in this life or the next. Even in the Church, some Christians have bought into the lie that God is no longer holy and righteously indignant. They have turned the mercy of God into an unspoken or insinuated license to sin.
We must take up the message of John the Baptist: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near!” (Matthew 3:2). Whether God’s wrath is kindled against individual nations, or the Rapture occurs and the world descends into unrestrained godlessness, or individual sinners step into eternity and fall into the hands of an angry God, this is our urgent message.
Second, while we are living in a pagan land, we can harken to the same words of encouragement God offered the exiles living in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah:
Jeremiah 29:5-7 KJV – “Build ye houses, and dwell in them; and plant gardens, and eat the fruit of them; Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons, and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; that ye may be increased there, and not diminished. And seek the peace of the city whither I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it: for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.”
In other words, live! And while you are living and raising your own family, seek the welfare of the society in which you live.
That means that when an election occurs, support and vote for candidates who will promote the greatest good—at the local, state, and national level. Advocate earnestly for policies that honor God’s provisions for the flourishing of mankind—and respect the inalienable right for Christians to serve the true and living God.
Billy Graham said, “I also urge you to vote for another reason. I believe it is a God-given responsibility. Understand the issues… know where the candidates stand on them… ask God to guide you—and then vote. Beyond that, however, pray for our nation and its leaders—not just the President, but all who’ve been entrusted with public office.”
Frankly, that does not mean that Christians can only vote and pray for Christian candidates. Obviously, if the choice is between a convictional Christian and a pagan, I will vote for a Christian every time. But, if the contest is between two whose faith in Christ is unclear or obviously lacking, I will support the candidate who will best respect Christians as they serve the Lord and who most closely follows Christian principles. And, I recognize that despite carefully produced campaign propaganda to the contrary, no candidate—Christian or otherwise—is perfect.
Christians in other democratic nations face this challenge in every election. Indian Christians might have to choose between a fervent Hindu and a radical Muslim. Should they decline to vote? Of course not. Sitting out an election might ensure the victory of the more threatening of the two candidates. Instead, they should prayerfully consider which candidate aligns with the principles I outlined above.
The stakes in 2024 are higher than they’ve ever been. I suspect that if the Lord tarries for another four years, the stakes in 2028 will be even higher. Unless America collectively turns back to God, we will stay on the precipice—or find ourselves suddenly in total freefall as we cross God’s red line.
One of our greatest responsibilities is to advocate today for the kind of nation we want our children and grandchildren to live and thrive in tomorrow—free to worship the Lord and serve Him with all their heart and soul and mind.
Let’s not go wobbly.
Our Resolve
When I served in the legislature, one of the “dry” counties in Kentucky went through a series of “wet/dry” votes. Advocates for unrestrained alcohol sales regularly solicited enough signatures to put the issue before the voters.
The first time it happened, area churches united to defeat the measure soundly. A few years later the churches banded together to turn back the effort again, but their energy level had diminished. The third attempt saw only a handful of churches engage proactively; the county remained dry by a very slim margin. On the fourth try, only one pastor stood against the tide and by a surprising majority, the voters embraced liquor sales. The county has been wet ever since.
Satan is willing to play the long game, attacking time and time again until he wears down his target. We must be determined to persevere, even when those arrayed against us seem overwhelming and our numbers appear insufficient for the battle at hand.
In his first inaugural address on January 20, 1961, President Kennedy cited Romans 12:12 as he called Americans to a “twilight struggle, year in and year out, ‘rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation.’ ” He was describing the Cold War. But our fight is against “the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). Talk about a twilight struggle! And yet we have a Champion. And He has given us armor. We cannot grow weary in this battle or withdraw from the battlefield due to fatigue or self-pity.
There is another reality we have to face. In this life we will have trouble—”little-t” tribulations as Jesus warned in John 16:33. Our assurance is not that we will win every battle, but that He has already won the war.
This too should stoke our confidence and inspire us to keep fighting. Satan would love for us to give up. He conspires against us at every turn—and He seems to be gaining ground in this world. That is exactly what God’s Word tells us will happen in the End Times. Should we be surprised? Of course not! But neither should we be disheartened, for we know it’s getting “gloriously dark.”
No matter what persecution arises and what troubles befall us, we can cling to the bold faith of Job: “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him” (Job 13:15).
Our Hope
This brings us to our final hope—our Blessed Hope.
Do we really trust Him? Or do we merely honor Him with our lips when times are good, while our hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8, citing Isaiah 29:13)?
My hope is not in the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. It is not in Donald Trump or Kamala Harris—or any other candidate in this or any election. Thank goodness! All of them fall short of the glory of God. All of them will disappoint—to a greater or lesser degree.
I will be voting this November. It is my right as an American and my responsibility as a Christian. I will advocate for policies and platforms that respect God’s position on life, on marriage and morality, and on what best allows for human flourishing. Through my voice and my vote, I will plead for America to step back from the precipice and return to God.
But I will not be devastated if my preferred candidate loses, or if my beloved nation strays even further from the Lord, or if I am subject to persecution, troubles, and tragedies—because all those things are fleeting. My true citizenship is in Heaven, and I am eager to live eternally under a worthy and anointed Monarch.
Our Deliverer is Coming
Although Jeremiah had to witness the destruction of his nation, God promised to deliver him (1:19). Likewise, all of us who trust in Jesus will be delivered from the wrath to come.
We may have to witness greater paganism and wickedness. If the Lord tarries, I am sure that we will. But He is waiting because He does not wish any to perish. What a great opportunity we still have to proclaim Light to those groping in darkness, hearing to those who have not yet heard the Shepherd’s voice, healing to those beset by sickness, and life to those walking in death.
America is in the balance. More importantly, millions of souls hang in the balance. Let’s be about His work, proclaiming our Blessed Hope until He comes, praying that by “turning a sinner from the error of his way [we] will save his soul from death” (James 5:20). If we focus on that task, there might just be hope for America as well.
