We are in the midst of a heated presidential election
year. As citizens of the United States, we have the privilege
of electing our political leaders, and, as Christians, we have
the sobering responsibility of examining our candidates closely.
There are many issues at stake in our national elections, and
we are encouraged to investigate carefully.
Where do our candidates stand regarding the legalization
of abortion on demand? How will they vote regarding the teaching
of homosexuality as an acceptable alternate lifestyle in our public
school systems? Do they support the legalization of homosexual
marriages? How do they feel about the removal of God, Jesus Christ,
the Bible, and prayer from our public schools? Where do they stand
regarding the teaching of the theory of organic evolution and
not allowing the teaching of the Biblical account of creation
in our public schools? How will they vote regarding the further
legalization of gambling even by our state and national governments
to fund government programs? How do they feel about the tax system
that penalizes married couples and encourages unmarried couples
to live together outside of marriage?
Our nation needs good leaders. We need a strong
president of the highest morals. We need true statesmen in our
congress. We need men and women of integrity on the benches of
our state and federal courts. We need to pray for our leaders
that we many lead quiet and peaceable lives in godliness and honesty.
1 Timothy 2:1-2.
Yet, our hope does not lie in politics nor in
politicians. Our hope lies in Jesus Christ our Lord and in His
gospel! Yes, we need good political leaders; but, most of all,
our nation needs true, faithful, dedicated Christians. It is only
from a just nation of people that just political leaders and judges
can come.
There is a more important election about which
we all need to be concerned. We need to be concerned about our
election of God. "Knowing, brethren beloved, our election
of God." 1 Thessalonians 1:4. Our election is in Christ.
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places
in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation
of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before
him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of
his will." Ephesians 1:3-5. Yes, in eternity before time
began God determined that His children would be those who would
come to Him through Jesus Christ.
We are called by the gospel of Christ. "But
we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved
of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the
truth: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining
of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14.
The gospel call is given to all. "Go ye into all the world
and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and
is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be
damned." Mark 16:15-16.
As the elect of God, we are called unto holiness
and godliness. "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy
and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind,
meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving
one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ
forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on
charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians 3:12-15.
In adding the Christian "graces," we make our calling
and election sure. 2 Peter 1:3-11.
Someday, the Son of man will come in the clouds.
"And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet,
and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds,
and from one end of heaven to the other." Matthew 24:29-31.
The sad part is many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14.
The reason? Many will not heed God's call through faithful obedience.
Dear friends, what about you? Have you heeded
the call of Christ and obeyed His gospel? Have you, through your
faith and obedience to the gospel been chosen by God to be saved
and to live forever with him in heaven? -Rt 5 Box 1468, Salem,
WV 26426.