Last night, someone joined a very small club, those who hold the highest office in the land. It is a small brotherhood, with awesome responsibility. Of course, I mean a lost soul who became one of the “elect” of God. Why? What did you think I meant?
What does it mean to be one of the “elect” (2 John 1:1, ‘chosen’) of God? It means those who accept the foreknown and predestined salvation plan of God (Ephesians 1:4). Believing in His Son places one in a small, but important, category of people who hold the highest office available – a great high priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) who receive “every spiritual blessing” in the heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3).
Oh yeah, I know…there was a different election last night. And I don’t mean to belittle the importance of elections. God places leaders in office who will accomplish His will (Romans 13:1). That can be hard to accept some times. Even tougher, those who resist such authority have opposed God and will receive condemnation (13:2). So it is important to follow “election” outcomes, even when we don’t fully understand His methods for accomplishing His will.
But was the election for President really worthy of all the attention, time, money, and division it caused? How many of us have ever stayed up past midnight wondering if somewhere, someone was joining the “elect?” I pray that someone put on Christ, and was adopted as a son (Ephesians 1:5), redeemed by His blood (7), and richly lavished with gifts (7-8). For God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3) and repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
And if that person, a baptized believer (Mark 16:16), will suffer through kings and governments in the name, “Christian,” there is no greater way to endure the trials of this world (1 Peter 4:14). We must submit ourselves, for the Lord’s sake, to every human institution (1 Peter 2:13-18) because God is glorified in Christ-like behavior. Those who are the “elect” have far more riches, power, and responsibility in this world and the next.
Perhaps we should test ourselves to see if our hope is in an election or in being an “elect” people.
