The Most Important Election!

   National election day is almost here.  Candidates will be elected to public offices all across the nation.  Most of the voting will be for state and local officials, but one-third of the seats in the US Senate and all of those in the House Of Representatives will also be up for election.  This election stands out from many others in that the populace will also be voting for a new president.  We’re told that this election will be the most important election in many years for the future of our nation.  But that assessment has been made in regard to many such elections over the past several decades.  Politics!

   There is an election that is far more significant and important to our future than this, or any, political election ever will be.  Peter wrote, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;” (2 Pet. 1:10).  The “election” of which Peter wrote is our personal salvation in Christ.  It is God Who does the calling and the electing.
   The Lord has called us to salvation: “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28).  It is through the gospel that we are called: “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13-14).
   Obedient faith is our response to the gospel call: “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mk. 16:15-16).  It is through continued obedient faith that we “make your (our) call and election sure.”  Jesus said, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10).
   We’re told that this upcoming national election holds greater significance because the next president will likely make appointments that will shape the Supreme Court for years to come.  Well, we’ve heard that a number of times in the past, too.  But the “election” that Peter exhorts us to “make…sure” is of far greater importance because it prepares us to stand before the Supreme Judge of all mankind: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5:10).
   Political elections come and go.  They generate great excitement for awhile, and then the excitement wanes.  They may bring about some change, or they may simply bolster the status quo.  But they’re always followed by new elections with new promises, most of which are never kept.  That’s the way of politics.
   However, the “election” of which Peter wrote results in eternal life, a promise secured by our eternal God Who never lies or fails to keep His promises: “Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,” (Tit. 1:1-2).  Nothing is as important as getting to Heaven!  Therefore, Peter instructed us to be diligent to make sure of our salvation, for that truly is, hands down, the most important election of all…