Making Your Election Sure
by Andrew Barnhart
2 Peter 1:10-11
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and ELECTION sure, for if you do those things you will never stumble. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Every four years in this great country of ours, we are given the opportunity to vote in an election to determine the president of the United States. With this election taking place in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, there has been a push for people to mail in their vote, instead of perhaps standing in a long, crowded line. Regardless of your opinion on this, there are people who are concerned that if they mail in their ballot it won’t be properly counted. Perhaps they are concerned it will “get lost in the mail.” Or, maybe they are concerned about it being received by someone they don’t know and then properly counted. We all just want to make sure our ballot gets counted, however we choose to do it this year.
I believe every American should vote, but especially a believer. Before I go to vote, I take time to review my sample ballot. I look at the names, where they stand on issues, as well as any questions that may be on the ballot that I need to vote on. Sometimes, I look at the names and think to myself - these are my options? That question can be enough for some people to not even bother voting. However, I look at that a different way. I think of the men and women I know who have fought for my freedom to even allow me to vote. I think of people in my church who have served. I think of my neighbor growing up, Glenn Brewer, who fought in World War 2. I feel like, sometimes in spite of who may be on the ballot, I can take a few minutes to educate myself, and then stand in line if needed, in honor of their sacrifice.
When it comes to our spiritual life, God instructs me, from time to time, to - “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…”
Then He explains how to test to see if I am in the faith.
“...Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” (or do not pass the test).
Jesus Christ IN YOU - a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5) - equals passing the test.
1 John 4:13 gives us another test we can apply to make our election sure. It says, “By this we KNOW that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit.” When we put our faith in the person and work of Christ - (instead of my good works, my membership in a church, or my baptism) - we are given His Spirit which, “seals us until the day of redemption.”
I should take a moment (just like I do before I vote), to consider which of those things mentioned above that I may be putting my trust in.
This November election, take time to review the candidates and questions on your ballot and vote! But also take some time to consider what you are putting your confidence in when it comes to your standing before God. Take time to make your election sure! (2 Peter 1:10).
“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and ELECTION sure, for if you do those things you will never stumble. For so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
Every four years in this great country of ours, we are given the opportunity to vote in an election to determine the president of the United States. With this election taking place in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, there has been a push for people to mail in their vote, instead of perhaps standing in a long, crowded line. Regardless of your opinion on this, there are people who are concerned that if they mail in their ballot it won’t be properly counted. Perhaps they are concerned it will “get lost in the mail.” Or, maybe they are concerned about it being received by someone they don’t know and then properly counted. We all just want to make sure our ballot gets counted, however we choose to do it this year.
I believe every American should vote, but especially a believer. Before I go to vote, I take time to review my sample ballot. I look at the names, where they stand on issues, as well as any questions that may be on the ballot that I need to vote on. Sometimes, I look at the names and think to myself - these are my options? That question can be enough for some people to not even bother voting. However, I look at that a different way. I think of the men and women I know who have fought for my freedom to even allow me to vote. I think of people in my church who have served. I think of my neighbor growing up, Glenn Brewer, who fought in World War 2. I feel like, sometimes in spite of who may be on the ballot, I can take a few minutes to educate myself, and then stand in line if needed, in honor of their sacrifice.
When it comes to our spiritual life, God instructs me, from time to time, to - “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…”
Then He explains how to test to see if I am in the faith.
“...Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” (or do not pass the test).
Jesus Christ IN YOU - a relationship with God through Jesus Christ (1 Tim 2:5) - equals passing the test.
1 John 4:13 gives us another test we can apply to make our election sure. It says, “By this we KNOW that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit.” When we put our faith in the person and work of Christ - (instead of my good works, my membership in a church, or my baptism) - we are given His Spirit which, “seals us until the day of redemption.”
I should take a moment (just like I do before I vote), to consider which of those things mentioned above that I may be putting my trust in.
This November election, take time to review the candidates and questions on your ballot and vote! But also take some time to consider what you are putting your confidence in when it comes to your standing before God. Take time to make your election sure! (2 Peter 1:10).
2 Comments
Wonderful blog post Andrew!
Thank you Andrew, well said; great post!