Make Your Election Sure
Published : September 01, 2008 | Author : John Atkinson
Once again the American political circus kicks into high gear with November nigh upon us. McCain? Obama? Who will get four years in the high seat as king of the beltway? Who will masses select to sit in the "most powerful office in the world"?
This year, like every year we are in for seven months of campaigning and promises that may or may not be kept. On the uglier side, smears and attacks from one camp against another.
Both sides will amplify and extol their own achievements, virtues and successes while magnifying the shortcoming and failures of the opposition. This is how politics work and how it has since the dawn of humanity when, one of Adam's descendants decided that he wanted to be chief, and with that decision realized that he would require the support of his fellows. I can hear it now: "Your sheep will be happier if I am King."
While these questions will occupy minds and conversations, let's consider an election. As far as the scriptures go we will start off where we ended last month.
2 Peter 1:10-11 KJV
[10] Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
[11] For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
εκλογη
ekloge (election)
Thayer Definition:
1) the act of picking out, choosing
1a) of the act of God's free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons
1b) the decree made from choice by which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone
2) a thing or person chosen
2a) of persons: God's elect
Our Calling And Election
The word calling in this verse comes from the word klesis and deals with our invitation to salvation rather than a calling to an office or ministry.
We have been called, we have been elected. Now, our responsibility is to make our election sure!
How do we do this? Look at last month's Biblical Perspective. The first nine verses of Second Peter give us clear instruction on the how and why of securing our election.
Consider the political race. Until all the votes have been cast and counted, it isn't over. Even though a candidate may seem to have a clear and solid win, he could still do or say something that would change the outcome of the election. Meanwhile his opponent will be diligently trying to upset his election, by digging out and focusing on past and present mistakes.
Likewise, we have an adversary who, according to the Bible:
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. [1 Peter 5:8 Amplified]
How does he do that? By warring with your mind to try and cause you to do something to upset your own election. This adversary knows that you are the only one who can do that. Like a political adversary he will bring up past failures and try and blow them out of proportion in your own mind to try and shake your confidence. Once your confidence is shaken then he is able to work on trying to get you to fail now, by losing faith, by yielding to temptation. By giving up in the midst of trials.
The Bible gives us both warning, a way out and a promise:
1 Peter 5:9-10 Amplified
[9] Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
[10] And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.
The Warning - Be Sober - Be vigilant
The Way Out - Withstand him, be steadfast in the faith.
The Promise - That God will establish you himself.
Make It Sure!
You can do it. The presidential candidates depend upon the backing of their political parties in order to run the race. Though candidates do run on an independent ticket they understand that they are without hope of a victory as they do not have the backing of a large and powerful organized system.
We have the backing of the Lord of Heaven. He is behind us 100%. Not only does he provide all the tools necessary to run a successful campaign, He guarantees us a total victory if we do our part to make our calling and election sure. He does the hard part, all we have to do is abide in him, and He will abide in us, giving use the ability to heed the warning, see the way out, and grasp the promise!
We can do it!
On a final note; whether you participate in the upcoming political process or not, give diligence to make your calling and election sure!
Jude 1:24-25 KJV
[24] Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
[25] To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
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Mon Sep 29, 2008 2:46 pm