As we approach Election Day in the United States, we would like to put out a call to prayer for our nation. While there has been a lot of controversy surrounding this election, Christians can have perfect peace as we rest in the truth that God is in control.
Since the beginning of time, God has known the outcome. Whether Joe Biden or Donald Trump is voted in as president, God will still be on the throne, and Jesus will still be Lord. Christians who profess Christ as Lord and Savior know that this earth is not their home and that there is a wonderful paradise awaiting when they depart from this world.
No matter who wins in tomorrow’s election, we can place our full trust in God and know with perfect certainty that He holds our tomorrow. He will not be “responding” to the outcome, but He already has a plan in place that will ultimately be for our good.
Allison
Thank you for this reminder. It really was needed for me at this moment. 🙂
Mom of 4
Amen Ellie, very well said!!
Anonymous
I have been praying for our nation. The newspaper don’t believe there will be any trouble in our community. To be on the safe side I think I will stay close to home. I trust God, I just don’t trust other people.
Jennifer
Amen!
Regina Shea
Amen Sister!
Regina Shea
Oh and thank you for the reminder to pray because I nearly forgot about the Faithful 2020 prayer meeting.
Anonymous
That is a good reminder! Thank you!
S
Amen! And as we pray, perhaps we can pray for a church that is too often divided. We are one in Christ! Here’s an article that helps us see some of the ways Christians differ on who they vote for, even if they all seek to be followers of Christ. Perhaps it can help us be more compassionate toward our fellow sisters and brothers in Christ: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2020/november-web-only/trump-election-politics-church-kingdom.html
🙂
Hi Ellie,
Although I consider myself a Christian, I do have my doubts sometimes, especially when someone claims ‘a Christian truth’ like you did when you state: ‘ Since the beginning of time, God has known the outcome’
When you believe this, than you must also assume that God already knew who Hitler was and that He ‘allowed’ Hitler to rule for many years.
I am really very curious how you can explain this?
We’re (in Europe) also very curious who will win the election and it’s all over our news as well.
Thanks for your answer in advance,
Mieke
Ellie
Hi Mieke,
That’s a great question. I will share a few thoughts. I do believe that God knew who Hitler would become. While God has a plan and is working everything for our ultimate good, we live in a world broken by sin. Bad things WILL happen. But God promises to be by our side through every trial, and He promises that He is working every trial for our good. There were Christians who suffered at the hand of Hitler. Some of them wrote books that have been read by millions and brought countless souls to Christ.
As believers who have accepted God’s free gift of salvation and chosen to follow Him with our lives, we can have perfect peace in that truth. Non-Christians, on the other hand, do not have that peace. That’s why American Christians are at peace on this very day, in the midst of all the election chaos. We know that whatever the outcome is, God is still on the throne and still in control, and He has a plan. I have spoken to non-Christians friends, and they are beside themselves with fear today.
I have heard God’s plan described like this: God is weaving a large tapestry. We only see the underside, but He sees the upper side. One day, the tapestry will be finished, and we will clearly see His plan for every single thing that took place on the Earth.
Our sole purpose as Christians is to glorify and serve God. Our time on this Earth is but a moment compared to eternity in heaven, where all our tears will be wiped away and there will be no more suffering. Those who do not accept God’s gift of salvation will spend eternity in hell, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. But even greater than the physical suffering in hell will be the knowledge of the existence of heaven. Those in hell will know that they could have made the choice to end up in heaven. The ultimate regret. The trials on this earth are nothing compared to what is in store for unbelievers in eternity.
Ellie
Anonymous
Thanks for your answer. I find these matters sometimes very difficult. When I think of all my non christian friends and relatives in hell for eternity, well that is a lot to chew on….I am not sure if that is something I believe in so black and white as you stated. I love the ending of ‘the final battle’ by CS Lewis. The last chronicle of Narnia. Have you read that book? The soldier from the opposite camp, is allowed and welcome in heaven. That is something I like to cling on; Jesus is merciful and He knows best. In fact, God is the only one who truly knows everything. I, as a christian, am very careful to not claim that I have the answers to very difficult questions. I simply try to accept, that it is not my place to know everything, let alone make statements about it.
Nevertheless, I am always looking for glimpses of possible answers, hence my question before.
Ans yes, the idea of the tapastry is very comforting and beautiful. In my country is the Corrie ten Boom house, and she is, as you might know, one of these famous holocaust survivers. I went to this house and saw there that tapastry that she so famously told the world about 🙂
Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate that you took the time to answer and I will think it over in the next couple of days.
I hope that your country will have peace and balance in the next 4 years with who ever will win (to return to your original post 😉)
Mieke
Regina Shea
Thank you Ellie for this wonderful explanation. For me no matter who wins the election, I’m going to continue with my life and pray for the winner.
Candi
Well said Ellie! It was perfectly stated and it wanted to bring tears to my eyes. What a testimony of peace!
Christine
“The trials on this earth are nothing compared to what is in store for unbelievers in eternity. ”
Honestly? It sounds like your faith is based on fear – I find it very sad that many Christians try to convince/intimidate non-believers with statements like yours. Does your religion have nothing else to offer? Really sad…
Ellie
No fear, just a heart full of gratitude and peace that a perfect God would make a way to save imperfect humans. 🙂 Christians have no fear of hell because we rest in absolute certainty that we will be in heaven with God for eternity.
Ali
Christine was saying that Christians often try to convert non-Christians by asking if they want to go to heaven instead of hell. Thus people are attracted to Christianity by the fear of hell. But if God is so great, then he should be worth following for the sake of following him, without having to be enticed by the promise of heaven. Someone said “for the gospel to be good news, it has to be bad news first.” First you have to convince someone to believe the bad news, then they have to believe the good news. So first you have to tell them that they are deserving of hell, and make them fear it, before offering them salvation to assuage the fear. It seems to me that a really good and loving God wouldn’t have to instill fear in people to make them want to follow him. It would be as if parents told their kids everything bad that could happen if they don’t listen to them. “Do you want to get hit by a car and suffer horrible pain for the rest of your life and never be able to walk again? No? Then do what I say and hold my hand when we walk across the street.” If you spoke to a child like that it would give them nightmares, and it’s not good psychologically for anyone to be ruled by fear. But Christians seem to like reminding others of the horrors of hell that are in store if they don’t follow Jesus.
Esther
Beautiful truth! Someone reminded me of the verse that says His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We can’t always understand why God allows the very difficult things in our lives, but we as Christians can trust that He knows best.
Lisa
We could all be perfect people living in a perfect world, but God loved us enough to give us free will. Hence, the world we live in.
Daisy
So then God also allows abortion. I mean, if he allows Hitler……
Ellie
Yes, he “allows” it, but it also makes him sick to watch. All sin makes him sick, but our world is broken, so there is sin. Thankfully, He made a way to cleanse us of our sin, if we choose to follow him. I’ll ask you this, would you like to serve a God who uses force to control every aspect of your life? God desires a relationship with us, one where we decide to be in community with Him. Think of it compared to any human relationship. If someone were to force you to like them and do everything they say, that wouldn’t be a true relationship.
Ellie
Anonymous
So you can have an abortion and claim you’re religious later and all is OK with God.
Ellie
Hi there,
God is a very merciful and loving God. When a person becomes a Christian, they don’t stop sinning altogether, but they do make a decision to seek righteousness and to fight sin every moment of every day. That being said, outward sin is an indication of what’s in the heart, and Christians have a God-guided conscience that causes them to grieve their sin and repent. It is possible for a Christian woman to have a time in her life when she strays from her faith. She might even go through with an abortion if she chooses to ignore God’s voice. But if she truly is a Christian, she will be grieved by her decision and will genuinely repent and renounce her sin and rededicate her life to the Lord. And because God is merciful and loving, He will forgive her. The same is true for a Christian woman who is new to Christianity and hasn’t studied the Scriptures. Perhaps she goes through with an abortion because it is something that is culturally acceptable and the people in her life are telling her that it’s a good idea. In that case, God will also convict her and cause her to be grieved by her sin, and she will be able to repent and turn back to God. It is also possible for a woman who is not a Christian to have an abortion and then become a Christian days, months, or years later. In that case, God will also forgive her.
It all comes down to this: God will forgive your sins if you come to him with a broken and repentant heart and genuinely commit, or recommit to serving Him with your life. It really is as simple as that. God’s gift of salvation is a free gift that is available to everyone. God can see the heart of every person on this earth, so he knows when someone is being genuine and when they are simply trying to “get out of jail free.” I can tell you with 100% certainty that if you come to God in this way and commit to serving Him, He will forgive you of everything you have every done wrong, and He will save your soul. But it has to be genuine. I can’t see your heart, but God can.
Ellie
Anonymous
So it’s OK to have an abortion and repent later. Then why are Christians so anti-abortion and why do they insist on denying that freedom of choice to others if repenting for anything fits perfectly into their views?
Ellie
I think I must have been a little unclear in my explanation about repentance. Perhaps another Christian can jump in and help clarify? 🙂
Therese
No, abortion is never acceptable. Never. It is murder. But what Ellie says is 100% true.
God forgives the sinner of his sin, no matter what the sin is, provided the sinner is truly repentant. In the case of abortion, a truly repentant sinner, would do everything in their power to prevent any other innocent children losing thier lives.
Many people might claim repentance, but it is inscincere, as they will continue to advice or suggest it for friends. God can read our minds and our hearts. He alone can tell what truly goes on in our head.
As Christians, we believe that people who opt for abortion, and are unrepentant will go to hell, however, we also believe in a very merciful God, who can read our minds and hearts. I fully admitt the possibility that someone could have an abortion, which in thier own way of thinking, they justify and truly believe they are unselfishly doing the right thing for thier baby, God understands this person too, and it fully possible that He may forgive the sin, even if the person doesn’t ask, and this person can still be welcomed into heaven… But this is between God and the sinner.
Anonymous
There is no way I would force any woman to keep a baby that came out of a rape for example or a baby that can put the mom to risk. There should be many exceptions to abortion.
K. T.
The comment that, as Christians, “we believe that people who opt for abortion, and are unrepentant will go to hell,” is a touch misleading. That’s not to say that abortion isn’t wrong, but rather to acknowledge instead the inherent sinfulness of humankind. In the Bible, Romans 3:23 states, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” In the same chapter, the Apostle Paul also notes that there is no one that is righteous. Therefore, we’re all sinners, whether our “biggest sin” is having said something unkind to someone else or having chosen abortion. We’re all desperately in need of the forgiveness and saving grace of a loving God. So, while it’s true that any sin separates us from Him, his forgiveness is also there for a heart that’s truly repentant, no matter the sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Anonymous
Just because God can and will forgive all of our sins if we come to him in true repentance, does not give us an allowance to sin. We will indeed continue, but that doesn’t make sin any less wrong, it just makes us more in need of Christ. The reason many Christians are so passionate about abortions is like any other social justice that you can think of, it is the need of justice for those who are receiving none. Abortion violates the most basic human right. The right to live. This however, does not make women who have gone through abortions any less worthy of God’s love, or our love. I hope this isn’t too confusing 🙂
Anonymous
I think many Christians outside the USA are growing increasingly perplexed as to trying to explain how “American Evangelicals” can be Christian. I do appreciate that American Christians can be at peace knowing that Earth is not our forever home. My heart breaks at the division, the name-calling, that both Christians and non-Christians are doing to one another. I’ve been listening to a few podcasts trying to better understand why American Christians would choose to vote Republican and others to vote democrate. What do you think – can a Christian vote Trump and be a Christian? Or have supported Biden and be a Christian? From what I read and have learned is that abortion and over-turning roe-wade is the primary reason that Evangelicals vote Republican – is that accurate?
Anonymous
Anonymous 9:43, God does forgive sin, but true repentance is heart wrenching and life changing so anyone who truly understands it, will not say, “I will sin now and repent later.” True repentance as God demands it, is a complete turning away from ALL sin in every part of our life as explained to us in the Word of God, and is a complete surrendering to God of every part of our life (thoughts, words, actions, appearance, hobbies, relationships, etc.) True repentance demands reparation to the best of our ability. A confessing of our sin to all who know about it and asking their forgiveness for our bad example. A paying back if it was stolen, telling people the truth if we have lied to them, mending of relationships that have been broken, to name a few examples.
Repentance as God demands it, is us seeing our sin as it really is in all of its awfulness, We see how every sinful action was rebellion against the authority of God and that it was utter selfishness that made decisions only according to what we wanted, irrespective of how it might hurt others (such as our unborn child). So, if you see any sin, including abortion, in this true light, you will not want to do it yourself and you will try to keep others from doing it as well. I hope this helps answer your question.
Anon
That seems to be true.
Anonymous
Anonymous 5:46
Those are not the only reasons we vote Republican. Please understand that our mainstream news is very biased and anti-Christian so that is the picture they paint of us. For those I know and myself, we vote Republican because they try to follow our Constitution and they aren’t anti-Christian. There are many other reasons but that’s the short answer. There is no perfect solution for the Christian in politics. Why are the Christians in your country perplexed? What do you think is different?
Anonymous
It is a good question as to what the difference is, while also recognizing that on any issue there are a wide range of perspectives. The media and educational systems both likely play a role – on many issues (environment, health care, worker safety rules and regulations, etc) – we are taught to look at other countries to see what they are doing, and how it is going to help inform a position. Do your leaders and educational systems encourage you to do the same? Maybe as well, some of it could just be different ways of viewing the world and underlying slightly different values (from what I read in the US the needs of the individual are a priority over the needs of a community (ie., from what I understand that in the US people need choice to decide what health care plan they want; but from my experience health care is available to all regardless of income, health history, etc and so it’s a bias that I have as it is hard for me to imagine not having access to health care or to worry about losing my health care if I lose my job). I think the perplexing part is likely due to people trying to take their own life experiences and values, and assuming those things are more universal perhaps then what they thought. I know a lot of Christians and non-Christians a like are surprised about how close your election was….but, again as I learn I think that perhaps there are just underlying differences in world views. Thanks for helping to answer my question – it’s very interesting for me to learn and understand people’s position and how this may impact voting.
Anonymous
@6:40 No, our leaders and educational system does not teach us to look at other countries. You are correct that it’s a cultural difference. Individual rights and the freedom to choose for oneself are very important to Americans. We do not think about the needs of the community when making a choice. Many of us were not surprised by the closeness of the election, but that’s because we know the United States is split approximately 50/50 on most issues. I’m not sure that’s reported in other countries. It’s not well represented in our media which is why so many in the US were surprised as well.
Stacey Badger
Amen Ellie, as a Christian I believe that God is in controll in of all of this.
Anonymous
So much double-speak! It must be hard trying to be Christian and justifying everything you do plus deciding what others are supposed to do or not do all in the name of your religion, which the other person may not share.
What if someone came here and tried to explain another religion to you? Would you be open-minded, even if that religion was nothing like your own? Would you believe a word they said? Or would you judge them through the lens of your own religion and dismiss their beliefs?
Ellie
I’ll try to answer all the questions you posed. But first, what do you mean by double-speak? It’s really as simple as this: Christians are called by God to read the Bible and follow it. I would love to hear about someone else’s religion. In fact, I studied world religions in school in multiple different classes. I find it fascinating to learn what others believe and why.
I don’t believe that it is anyone’s job, not matter what their religion, to force others to accept their faith. When Christians talk about witnessing, they are (or should be) referring to conversations in which the other person has some level of curiosity about Christianity. It’s not forced. And I would never judge someone who doesn’t live up to my standard or God’s standard. Judging is God’s job, not mine.
It sounds like you are okay with people practicing their faith as long as they keep it within the walls of their home or place of worship and don’t let it impact their daily lives. But is that really a genuine faith? If someone goes to great lengths to hide their faith from others, I would question their devotion. What is the point of a religion that doesn’t even impact our lives? If someone truly believes that they have found something beautiful, then shouldn’t it be worthy of more than simply attending a place of worship for an hour or two each week? And shouldn’t it be worth telling others about? Not forceably, as I mentioned above. But I if I believe that I know the God who can save souls, wouldn’t it be selfish for me to keep it to myself?
Anonymous
YOUR faith is not supposed to impact the way I want to live MY life. I doubt you’d be as brave if Muslims started calling the shots in Tennessee. You feel free to spread your own faith there because there’s nobody to oppose you. You’re insulated in suburbia that looks exactly like you. You wouldn’t be so bold if you lived in Afghanistan or North Korea.
Ellie
I’ve never been one to like the idea of getting into an intense argument online, so I think we should call it. We might just need to agree to disagree on this. I have enjoyed hearing your perspective though. 🙂
I will say that Nashville is a surprisingly diverse place (politically, religiously, and socially). It is no longer a small, stereotypical Southern town. Tons of people are moving here daily, and they are people from all walks of live. Perhaps we aren’t as diverse as, say, New York City, but for our small size, I think we do a pretty good job. I can’t speak for other parts of Tennessee, but I assure you that I’m not “insulated in suburbia that looks exactly like me.” 🙂
I wish you all the best,
Ellie
Anon
GREAT point!! She does not feel opposition because she is surrounded by others like her. Not every one has that privilege, or can think outside the box if that were the case.
Anonymous
Anon 12:57 My sister lives around lots of Muslims and has no problem sharing her Christian faith with them. You seem to have a problem with Christians sharing their faith and used North Korea and Afghanistan as places a Christian wouldn’t be so bold in sharing their faith. Korea being the place where you are sent to forced labor camps to die and Afghanistan a place where you are stoned, shot or beheaded for sharing your faith are good examples of why living in a predominantly Christian Country is a blessing and shows the goodness of why being around Christians who live what they believe and share their faith is a safe and wonderful place to be. I am a woman who is married and raising our three children in “insulated in suburbia that looks exactly like me” which I imagine that is code for living in a predominantly white area and yes you are right, my area is predominantly white and I make no apologies for that. Isn’t it so wonderful that you get to say what you said and live wherever you are living and I get to do the samething. America the land of the Free!!!
Anonymous
Must agree that it’s annoying when others want to share their religion with you by going on and on about what they believe. In most cases, religious views should be kept to ourselves.
Barb
In spite of Covid; in spite of a country divided; God is still God. Thank you for saying it,Ellie.
Anonymous
God is in control. God knows what’s in our heart and soul, he knows our every thought. I’m a Christian, but I’ still a sinner, because I’m not perfect. I can tell you when I’ve sin I feel thousand times worse than when I wasn’t a Christian.