{"id":31140,"date":"2022-09-10T15:18:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:18:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-practices-for-election-day-winners-and-losers\/"},"modified":"2022-09-10T15:18:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-10T20:18:28","slug":"3-practices-for-election-day-winners-and-losers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/sermons\/3-practices-for-election-day-winners-and-losers\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Practices for Election Day Winners and Losers"},"content":{"rendered":"
fizkes photo – Getty <\/p>\n

By Daryl Crouch <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cElections have consequences.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s a fact. Leaders and the decisions they make, the policies they implement, and the laws they pass affect people at a deep personal level.<\/p>\n

Several cultural issues should be enough motivate every Christian to care about elections, to cast our ballot, and to live as salt and light in the public square.<\/p>\n

But every time I hear the phrase, \u201cElections have consequences,\u201d I feel a tug toward anxiety and fear. What if my candidates lose? If they lose, what will I lose? What will my children lose?<\/p>\n

After today\u2019s presidential election concludes, about half us will be on the “losing side.” When the results are known, many of our family, friends, and neighbors will reel from the sting of defeat.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

On the other hand, about half of us will be on the “winning side” of this presidential election. Our candidate will have prevailed allowing us to dodge the fearful consequences of loss. We will rest easier knowing that a win for our candidate means a win for us.<\/p>\n

Despite this conventional wisdom, however, gospel people know that just because our candidate wins, all isn\u2019t well; and just because our candidate loses, all isn\u2019t lost. We know an Electoral College map doesn\u2019t tell the whole story.<\/p>\n

How then should we live with one another in light of the wins and losses of Election Day? Consider leading your church through these three practices for your post-Election Day blues\u2014or reds.<\/p>\n

1. Deepen your faith in the Lord<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most arguments I have with my wife only erupt after a long bout with unchecked inner anxiety. What comes out in the open was already raging within.<\/p>\n

Much of the incivility and discord in the public square\u2014even among evangelicals\u2014comes from a place of fear not faith.<\/p>\n

When Jesus and His disciples were in a boat being swamped by the wind and waves, the disciples woke Jesus up and rebuked him because they were afraid of losing their lives.<\/p>\n

He said to them, \u201cWhy are you afraid, you of little faith?\u201d Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm (Matthew 8:26).<\/p>\n

Drowning is a real and present danger, but Jesus knew the greater threat was not his disciples dying at sea, but rather surviving the storm without learning to trust in him.<\/p>\n

Today\u2019s election calls us from little faith marked by anxiety and anger to greater faith marked by confidence in Jesus who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17).<\/p>\n

As the redeemed people of God, this is our moment to turn away from every temptation to doubt His faithfulness and to deepen our trust in him.<\/p>\n

This is our moment, win or lose, to stop our fighting and know that the Lord is God and that he will be exalted among the nations. He will be exalted throughout the earth (Psalms 46:10).<\/p>\n

2. Use words to build the kingdom<\/strong> <\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u201cToxicity\u201d used to be a word that described a poison or pollutant that caused harm when ingested. Now it describes the way we talk to one another.<\/p>\n

James warns us:<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God\u2019s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way\u201d (James 3:9-10).<\/p>\n

Notice that James appeals to both the glory of God and the worth of our fellow human beings. We cannot honor the Lord and yet despise those who bear His image. One is an affront against the other.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
See also  What Churches Must Do to Reach Gen Z<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

So as the election results come in and the next presidential administration takes shape, many people will be taking their verbal shots to disparage the character and motives of winners and losers, to stir up trouble and to divide people, or just to vent personal frustrations.<\/p>\n

In contrast, believers have a unique responsibility to use our words in at least four ways:<\/p>\n