One man has won, the gospel keeps winning

I, like many others I suspect, tend to get more excited about American elections than those in my own nation. I remember four years ago really wrestling over who I would vote for if I could, only for God to bring me this truth in my Bible reading on the very day of the result: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13)

Whatever your perspective, there was something undeniably thrilling about Barack Obama’s victory in the U.S. Presidential election last night. Hope is so intoxicating.

Here are the three things – really one thing – that I’m thinking about what has happened. I've found others have expressed what I've been chewing on much better than I could, so I direct you to their efforts.

1. A new president will not make any new hearts – the gospel will win.
This has been expressed well by Mark Driscoll and Al Mohler.

2. One great evil (racism) has been challenged, another (abortion) remains – the gospel will win.
Eric Redmond's post expresses something of the dilemma many Christians have felt in this election. This episode of Simon Shama’s excellent TV series The American future: a history shows the power of the gospel in conquering a great evil. I pray that same power will one day bring about another scarcely-believable victory.

3. Fewer prominent Christian endorsements – the gospel will win.
Burnt by Bush as Shama suggests, or – as I think – taught by the wisdom and humility of Billy Graham? Read this interview with Graham, page 2 in particular.

So what should we do? Keep preaching the gospel!