Election Day is Tuesday.  According to the latest polls Republicans will hold on to the Senate by the skin of their teeth and lose the House.  If the Dems win the House and gain seats in the Senate, expect to see liberals high fiving each other all over town.  Most Republicans will be in a sour mood.  I predict that the conservatives who think the GOP deserve to lose both the Senate and the House will have a few regrets when the anti-war secular-progressives start wielding their power like a hammer. I've addressed the election in other commentaries, so I'll move on.

It may surprise some of you that there are people of faith in both parties.  My point in bringing this up is that anyone who claims to love God, no matter what his or her political persuasion, should act like it!  Thus this Tuesday's winners must resist the urge to gloat.  Losers must contain their anger.  The Reagan conservative says, "The truth shall make you free, but first it shall make you angry."  The Bible says, "In your anger do not sin"(Ephesians 4:26).

Christians who involve themselves in mean-spirited discourse are indulging in sin.  Don't take the bait!  "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). 

There's no justification for Christians to get involved in hateful rhetoric.  Leave that to the godless. 

Serious Christians must pray for their enemies.  This is not a suggestion, by the way; it's a command. Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).

In her article, We Need His Kind, Peggy Noonan tells a poignant story about Senator Rick Santorum, a conservative Republican running for reelection.  He's 10 points down in the polls and "is about to get his head handed to him."  Nevertheless, Senator and Mrs. Santorum pray for his opponent daily. In a phone interview Ms Noonan asked the Senator if it's true. "Sure, he said, surprised at my surprise. 'We pray for the Caseys every night. We know it's as hard for them as it is for us.'"  The Santorums take seriously Christ's command to, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."  They should be an example to all Christians. 

There's no doubt Republicans are facing their own giants this election, and for good reason. Win or lose, Christians have got to trust Christ! We must start living life for the greater glory of God!  Christ's power will help us overcome our fears. It's called faith.  And faith is what Christianity is all about.

Notes:
A Greater Glory: 2 Corinthians 3:7-11 - Sermon by Pastor Gary Vanderet of Peninsula Bible Church, Cupertino, CA

Copyright by Marsha West, 2006.  All rights reserved.

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