Election 2010

Across the United States citizens went to the polls on Tuesday to cast their vote. We are blessed to live in a land where we can freely modify our government. The purpose of this blog is not to discuss the election results but to make a spiritual application of the election process.

People vote on candidates for several reasons.

Name Recognition. I doubt too many people walk into the voting booth and select a name they have never heard of. The reason candidates put out so many signs and bumper stickers is so you will recognize their name when you go vote. The candidates want you to know their names.

Similarity on Issues. We expect candidates to tell us where they stand on certain issues. We listen to their positions to see what they believe is important. We hear what they say they will do to resolve issues that concern us. Over time we decide on a particular candidate based upon the similarity we feel with him or her on matters important to us.

Character. Americans want to elect good people. A man of questionable character, even if he stands toe to toe with us on issues, isn’t likely to win our vote. That is why opponents try to dig up dirt on each other. If character issues are too great, a candidate generally will not be elected.
The candidates work hard to convince us that they are the ones who meet our criteria.

•  Candidates spend months, if not years, campaigning to be elected.
• They give up good-paying jobs for the chance to be elected.
• They spend hundreds of thousands, if not millions of dollars, in an effort to win the race.
• They willingly suffer close examination and scrutiny. Sometimes they endure lies, harsh words, and unfair treatment by the media, and consider it worth the effort in order to win.

When the big day comes, Election Day, they learn how effective their effort has been.

The Spiritual Election

There is a spiritual election, or selection, taking place. “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:10-11

We don’t cast a vote in this election – God is the one making the choice. It is a selection process much like our elections. If we are elected, it will be for similar reasons candidates are elected today.

Name Recognition. In James 2:7, James, in reference to the oppression of Christians by the rich, says, “Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?” That would be the name Christian. If we are elected by God it will be because of our name recognition, not because we call ourselves Christians but because we are truly wearing the name of Christ.

Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” We have name recognition with God if our name is written in the Book of Life. It is only written there if we overcome sin.

Similarity on Issues. 2 Peter 1:2-4 says, “As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” Think about this. God gives us “all things” pertaining to life and godliness (in His word) so that we can be “partakers of the divine nature.” He elects people who are like Him and even provides us with everything we need so we can be like Him.

Character. Reading on, 2 Peter 1:5-8 lists for us the character traits that we must “add to faith” in order to be elected – such things as virtue, knowledge, self-control, godliness, and love. After saying all these things Peter tells us of this great election being made by God and instructs us to be “diligent to make [our] call and election sure.” Does that suggest that we may not be elected? That is certainly the case if we are not diligent and do not add these things to our faith.

So are you trying to “win” your election?

• Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to be elected by God? 
• Are you willing to give up anything, maybe a job, a pleasure, a habit, in order to be elected?
• Are you willing to suffer as a Christian in order to be elected? 1 Peter 4:1-4.
• Are you willing to grow and develop as necessary to wear the name of Jesus, to be like Him by partaking of the divine nature, to develop the character He wants in those He elects?

Elections are tough. To win them requires diligence.

In our national elections only one candidate can win the race. In God’s election all who qualify will win. See 1 Peter 1:3-5, 22-23. Those who are “begotten” or “born again” by the mercy of God and “purify [their] hearts in obeying the truth” are those who will be elected.

Do you qualify? Do you need to start the race? Not sure of where you stand? Our election by God is extremely important since eternity is at stake. Contact us to study these matters in more detail.