A fictional letter inspired by the writings of the Apostle Paul

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, to the saints who are in America, beloved of God and called to be holy:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I give thanks to my God for you, remembering your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, your love for one another, and your labor in the Gospel. I have heard of your generosity, your missionary endeavors, and your desire to preserve righteousness in the land in which you dwell.

Yet I have also heard that many among you are troubled and discouraged by the recent affairs of your nation. You have placed your hopes in certain leaders and desired that those who govern you would uphold what is righteous and restrain what is evil. Now, because the outcome has not been as you desired, some among you have become disheartened, while others are filled with anger and fear concerning the days ahead. My beloved brothers and sisters, I do not write these things to condemn your concern, but to remind you of the hope to which you have been called.

Have you forgotten that your citizenship is in heaven, from which you eagerly await the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? When I first proclaimed the Gospel, the rulers of this world were neither friends of Christ nor defenders of His Church. The powers of Rome were great, its armies formidable, and its influence extended throughout the nations. Yet the Gospel advanced, not because Caesar favored us, but because God was with us. We possessed no political authority, commanded no armies, and occupied no seats of earthly power. Nevertheless, the Word of God spread, sinners were reconciled to their Creator, and congregations of believers were established throughout the empire. The power of the Gospel did not depend upon the permission of those who governed us. Why, then, should you suppose that the purposes of God are endangered because the rulers of your nation have changed?

Do not misunderstand me. Those who govern have a solemn responsibility before God, and it is right that you should desire justice, righteousness, and peace. Indeed, I instructed the churches to offer prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving for kings and all who are in authority, that we might lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence. But I did not command the churches to place their confidence in kings. The government rests upon the shoulders of Christ, not upon the shoulders of those you elect.

I fear that some among you have become so occupied with the affairs of your earthly citizenship that you have neglected the greater responsibilities of your heavenly calling. You have labored diligently to persuade men to vote according to your convictions. Have you labored with equal diligence to persuade them to be reconciled to God? You have spoken boldly against the unrighteousness of your nation. Have you spoken as boldly concerning the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ? You have devoted yourselves to securing the future of your country. Have you given the same attention to making disciples who will carry the Gospel to the next generation? I do not say these things to diminish your responsibilities as citizens, but to remind you that you have been entrusted with something infinitely greater than the preservation of an earthly nation.

You are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through you. An ambassador does not cease to represent his king because he finds himself among a people who do not share his convictions. Indeed, it is precisely in such circumstances that his calling becomes most important. Therefore, let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Do not permit disappointment to become bitterness. Do not repay hostility with hostility. Do not speak of those who oppose you as though they were beyond the reach of God’s grace. Remember that you yourselves were once alienated from God, but through the mercy of Jesus Christ you have been brought near. How, then, can you withhold from others the very mercy by which you have been saved?

And concerning the rulers of your nation, whether you approve of them or oppose them, remember that they too are accountable to God. Pray for them. Speak the truth without malice. Stand for righteousness without surrendering love. Refuse to participate in evil, but do not grow weary in doing good. Above all, do not confuse the success of a political movement with the success of the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is not established by legislation, nor does it depend upon the power of earthly rulers. It is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Laws may restrain wickedness, and just rulers may promote what is good. For these things you ought to be thankful. But no law can regenerate the human heart, and no election can produce the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. What your nation needs most cannot be accomplished in a voting booth. It must begin with the transforming power of the Gospel.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, I urge you not to lose heart. If the days are evil, walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time. If the darkness appears to be increasing, remember that you have been called to walk as children of light. If hostility toward the faith grows, do not be surprised, but conduct yourselves with wisdom toward those who are outside, letting your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt. And if you find yourselves troubled by uncertainty concerning the future, remember that the One who raised Jesus from the dead is able to sustain you in every circumstance.

Were we not troubled on every side, yet not crushed? Were we not perplexed, yet not in despair? Persecuted, but not forsaken? Struck down, but not destroyed? Our confidence was never that the world would become favorable to us. Our confidence was that God would remain faithful to us and He has not changed.

I would have you consider one final matter. Perhaps the discouragement you now experience is an invitation to examine where you have placed your hope. If your joy rises and falls with the fortunes of a political party, have you not given that party a place in your heart that belongs to Christ alone? If the defeat of your preferred candidates causes you to despair over the future of the Church, have you forgotten who purchased the Church with His own blood? And if you believe that the advancement of the Gospel depends upon possessing political power, have you forgotten how the Gospel first conquered your own hearts?

Brothers and sisters, the Church does not need favorable circumstances to be faithful. It needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, stand fast in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. Do not withdraw from your communities in resentment. Do not abandon the public square in discouragement. Do not surrender the truth in pursuit of acceptance. Instead, be the people God has called you to be. Love your neighbors. Strengthen your families. Care for the weak. Encourage the fainthearted. Support the work of the Gospel. Make disciples. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance. And remember that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

The rulers of this age will pass away. Political parties will rise and fall. Nations themselves will come and go. But the Word of our God endures forever, and the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ shall have no end. Therefore, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Do not surrender your hope to the uncertainties of tomorrow, for the Lord Himself is your hope, and He who has called you is faithful.

The election is over, but your mission is not.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

Amen.