Mon 3 Nov, 2008
Well, we’re 24 hours from Election Day. For many people, tomorrow will decide which one of these men can best solve the problems of our country and the world. When you think about it, that’s actually a very ridiculous statement. Why? It presumes that one of these imperfect men will achieve the status of which only one perfect man has ever achieved.
Both men have been described in prophetic terms. Barak Obama has been parodied by his opponent as “The One”. Some have both seriously and comically called him “messiah”. John McCain has said his campaign has been “resurrected” and that he is the one to bring reform, peace and prosperity to all. Who do we trust?
Throughout the campaign there have been issues that have come and gone. Illegal immigration, the war in Iraq, race and gender have all now been eclipsed by the economy. Both campaigns claim global climate change is the single biggest issue facing the world today. So, in your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing the world today?
Let me suggest one that is so huge, that nearly everyone misses it. It’s so large and so significant that is that it affects every person, place and thing on the planet. It respects no age, sex or national boundary. Its been around for thousands of years. It’s one that many great respected world leaders have tried to solve or deal with; all unsuccessfully. It is the single most denied fact facing mankind. What is it? The inherent evil that exists in each person, no matter how good they think of themselves. It’s commonly called sin. It’s the thing that is the root of every world-wide social ill. It’s consequences affect every aspect of life. It’s the thing that makes us personally think of ourselves as better than our fellow man or woman. Its the thing that drives us to pursue selfish ambition at the expense of friends, family and co-workers. It’s the thing that motivates us to corruption, anger, greed, prejudice, hatred, war and exploitation. It’s the thing that arrogantly claims that other people are evil or bad, but not me. Yet its also the thing that deludes us into thinking that our generation will succeed where others have failed in dealing with its consequences. It’s the thing that leads us to believe that with a few more government programs, some more money and the right person at the helm, all our problems go away. Think about it, Is Barak Obama or John McCain going to solve your relationship problems, illness, hatred, selfishness, greed, racism or prejudice. If you think so, you’re deluding yourself. All these things stem from the condition of the human heart, not as a reaction to socio-economic consequences or situations.
Sin warps our view of everything. That which is good becomes evil. That which is evil becomes good. And to top it off, to make sure we’re all equal, your view is relative your your situation in life, culture, ethnicity or beliefs. Theoretically, the idea of good and evil no longer exist but in practice, we deny our our theory and label one another good and others evil.
Sin is the root cause of all our problems. Coal plants are not the root cause of global warming, nor are cow burps. Derivatives are not the root cause of the Wall Street collapse. Economic injustice is not the cause of poverty and unemployment. Sin is, in one form or another.
So what’s this all mean? Well, I can tell you, this post is not part of a conspiracy to suppress it vote. It doesn’t mean that your vote tomorrow doesn’t count. It does and you should vote. SO DO IT. Yet, it also means that we need to recognize that neither candidate is the real candidate of change, hope, prosperity, reform or peace. There is only one man in all of human history who can claim to be the candidate of all of these ideals and the only one who truly dealt successfully with all these issues. His name is Jesus. He was God’s perfect candidate; nominated to deal effectively with sin. He dealt, once and for all, with the root of all evil and the thing that prevents us from seeing perfect “good”; God Himself. God’s platform was one of perfect change, hope, reform, peace and prosperity. Yet in our sin, we selfishly elected Jesus because of what he offered our fleshly desires, then when he became too much of a threat, we voted him out and had him executed. Yet, He transcended all of our selfish and evil intent and forgave sinners for what they did; past, present and future. By grace, seeing no special deed or tendency in sinners, He purchased the salvation of countless souls who put their faith in Him. He called this the Gospel. Its the good news that God changes the human heart, not just situations. It’s the true solution to mankind’s problems and the only true hope.
For me, I struggle to keep this all in perspective. Especially in an election cycle, I slip often and get caught up in what “might be” or find myself placing my hope of change with some elected official. Yet, the Gospel calls me to be the ultimate informed voter. I need to see myself for what I am; a sinner and respond in repentance and faith, trusting only in the Gospel. For I am still a sinner saved by grace, with nothing of myself to boast. My hope is not in the man who rose up during this generation, but a man who transcended all generations past and future. Ultimately the only vote that really matters is the one for Jesus.
