THE ELECTION

There are two great things about a political election day in America: first, as citizens, we have the privilege of participating in God's will being carried out (see Rom. 13:1-7); and second, the bombardment of mail solicitations, phone calls, radio and television adds, etc. will stop for a while. They would probably not be so mind-numbing if they were civil and truthful, but in my view, the only truthful politician of whom I am aware, is the actor in the Geico ads whose wife asks him if her dress makes her look fat.

As important as our nation's election is, it pales in comparison to the doctrine of election found in God's Word. I have to use the Webster's Dictionary definition because my Vine's "Complete" Dictionary does not include the words "elect" or "election." Webster gives the theological definition as "the selection by God of certain people for salvation and eternal life." Our immediate response to the thought that only those whom God "picks" receive salvation is to scream, "But that's not fair!"

It doesn't seem to be fair that God would choose some for salvation, but as the late Paul Harvey used to say, "Now, for the rest of the story." God does not want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). Throughout time, God has given man enough knowledge about Himself to produce salvation, so that when man fails to trust Him, he is without excuse (Rom. 1:19-20).

Jesus said it this way, "For many are called, but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). He implied that man must make a choice as to which path he will take: the broad path on which many are headed for destruction, or the narrow way that leads to life (Matt. 7:13-14). There are only two roads, and two classes of people: the many (all those who do not place their trust in the Lord), and the few (all those who do). Those two groups comprise the entire human race. The "elect" are those who have chosen to believe God's revealed truth about Himself; it is they who chose or elected to trust God. We are "the chosen" in Christ because we have chosen to believe God.

In the Scriptures, there are three different groups and one individual who has elected to trust and follow God: Angels (1 Tim. 5:21), Israel (Rom. 9-11), Christians (1 Pet. 1:2), and Jesus (1 Pet. 2:6). God has chosen all of these, because all of these have chosen to trust God. I hope that everyone who has the opportunity to vote in today's election will go to the polls, but more than that, I hope and pray that everyone who reads this will elect to follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior! Vote wisely!