Word of the Week: Election

Some pundits have called tomorrow’s election the “most consequential mid-term election in history.” This follows what was labled two years ago as the “most consequential Presidential election in history.”

Although I didn’t research it, you could probably find many past elections in the storied history of America as being called “the most consequential.”

Now, I’m not minimizing the importance of exercising our right to vote. Norma Jean and I have already voted and carried our ballot to our drop off site. Interestingly, a friend saw my “I voted” sticker and joking said, “Did you vote for the right people?” (At least I think he was joking.)

I will admit, that in my memory, this does seem to be an usually high stakes mid-term. It has been hotly contested. And if the polls are right, it’s very, very close between many candidates.

However, I think I can say without fear of contradiction it’s not the most important election in history. The most important election in history is identified in the Bible by the apostle Peter.

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. –2Pet. 1:10-11

The most important election in history is a spiritual one. It’s your election. It is held by divine mandate. And it has eternal consequences.

Thayer says the word “election,” used seven times, in the New Testament means “a choice…the act of picking and choosing.”

Our “election” is connected with our “calling.” While there is a technical difference between the two terms, C. D. Hamilton correctly observed in his fine commentary that for all practical purposes Peter “considers them to mean virtually the same thing.”

The Bible teaches that our “calling” is by the gospel of Christ. To the Thessalonians, Paul stated that God “called you by our gospel.” When the Good News of the Gospel is preached and people are taught how to become Christians and enter a spiritual relationship with the Lord, they are called (2 Thess. 2:14). Additionally, Paul connected the gospel and our calling to the concept of grace (Gal. 1:6). The “grace of Christ” is presented in the gospel message. Through His vicarious sacrifice and “the blood of His cross” (Col. 1:20), we can be reconciled to God and enjoy the benefits and blessings of this “calling and election.”

It should be noted that this election is NOT about specific individuals who are predetermined to be saved or lost. God elected that everyone who hears, believes, and obeys the gospel (Rom. 10:1-17), is added to the Body of the saved. Just like those who were baptized for the remission of sins on Pentecost (Ax. 2:37-42). If God had only elected certain people and excluded others, it would make Him a respecter of persons. But the Bible says, “God is no respecter of persons (Ax. 10:34).

Furthermore, how could we “save ourselves from this crooked generation” (Ax. 2:40), if my individual salvation has already been predetermined? How could I “work out {my} own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12), if it’s already been decided? And why should I “give diligence” to add to my faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly affection, and love, to make my “election sure,” if it’s already assured?

God has elected that it is a certain group who will be saved (Eph. 1:10). Those who are “in Christ.” 87 times the Bible speaks of being “in Christ.” Redemption is “in Christ” (Rom. 3:24). All spiritual blessings are “in Christ” (Eph. 1:7). Our hope is “in Christ” (1 Cor. 15:19). But the choice is ours when we decide to be “baptized into Christ” (Gal. 3:26-28).

One preacher illustrated election this way. You are the candidate. The “office” is salvation. God has voted for you. Satan has voted against you. Now it’s up to you to cast the deciding vote.

In the most consequential election in all of human history, how will you vote?

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman