Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26 (and Mark 8:36); “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?” This season, we could ask the question another way: “What does it gain the church to gain all political power and cultural influence, but lose our virtue?” Next week, the votes in the presidential election will (hopefully) have been tallied, and we will know who will be sworn into office in January. Every presidential election feels as though it carries the weight of the world. But regardless of the outcome, several things will always be true. First, God is sovereign, and no leader is appointed outside of His control. Second, Jesus is still on the throne, and is the only King worthy of our full devotion, no matter who occupies the White House. Third, we as Christians must never lose our Christian morality and virtue as we engage in the political world. We are blessed with the opportunity to participate in the political sphere at the national and local levels. We want to steward that responsibility well, and engage as we are called and able. But we must always make sure that as we do so, we don’t lose Christian virtue. I say that because I have heard Christians argue (on either “side”) that sometimes we have to essentially forego morality for the greater good, that we must sometimes do and accept bad things in order to appoint the right person, because that will transform America for the better. That the ends justify the means. This is a profoundly unchristian approach. Carl Trueman notes that we would not make this argument in a different context. We would never say that because Hollywood transforms culture, we should do whatever it takes to be influential and successful in Hollywood, even if that means sleeping around and engaging in immorality to make our way to the top. The ends don’t justify the means. It may be a silly analogy, but the argument holds. We should not abandon Christian morality for political gains. So as we vote and engage, let us always remember our ultimate call to follow Christ and be salt and light – representatives of His Kingdom.