According to the mainstream media, the election is over and we have a new president-elect. Others would say we’re still in a grey zone, where some electoral intrigue might still occur. In this timeframe, during the month of December, deadlines have to be met:
· The 8th: Resolve all election disputes at the state level.
· The 14th: Electors (of the electoral college) vote by paper ballot in each state and the District of Columbia; the votes are certified.
· The 23rd: Certificates are delivered.
As of this writing—Tuesday, the Tenth of November—the legal team representing one of the candidates will be disputing the election results. They will use this time, possibly through that second deadline (December 14th), to challenge the vote tallies in a number of states, hoping to find the electoral votes that would send their candidate across the finish line, much as Al Gore had attempted to do, twenty years ago.
So, from a certain viewpoint, the election of one week ago is not exactly settled.
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What is exactly, definitively, and forever settled are the elections result of the Kingdom of God. There, our heavenly Father has chosen who would be His. He has chosen who would fulfill His messianic purposes for all time and who would fulfill His Kingdom purposes in specific times and places.
When the Bible speaks of election, it does so in a sense very similar to what we the people had done on election day: it describes the free choice made by one person to appoint another to operate in a position not before held, or to enter something not before seen.
When we read of “the elect,” we’re reading of those chosen by God. When we read of “election,” we’re reading of the choice that God has made in those He wants, or has wanted, to become great people and to do great things for Him and His Kingdom.
God’s word mentions the elect (or election) twenty-seven times, four of which are in the Old Testament (all in Isaiah). The forerunner is, of course, Jesus, our Savior. The prophet says of Him:
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (42:1, KJV)
It says further on in Isaiah that Jesus would bring justice to the nations—not by shouting or crying out, or raising His voice in the streets. He would do so through faithfulness; He would be called in righteousness and be made a covenant and a light for the gentiles, opening blind eyes and setting captives free.
All of this would occur because Jesus was elected by God to hold messianic office for all time.
Every remaining instance of the word elect—or a form of the word, in Hebrew (בָּחִיר / bâchîyr) or Greek (ἐκλεκτός / eklektos)—refers to the church. It refers to you and me as the chosen ones, the elect of God.
Also in Isaiah (45:4), we’re told that we, as Israel, are God’s elect (as Paul tells the Galatians, it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham, what he calls “the Israel of God.” See 3:7 and 6:16). The prophet says that we shall inherit God’s mountains (65:9) and shall, as His elect, enjoy the work of our hands (65:22) in that place.
When we get to the New Testament, staring with the gospels, Matthew and Mark tell us that His chosen, His elect, should expect rough days ahead. He says that “except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved” and “but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened” (Matthew 24: 22).
Mark quotes our Lord, saying that God’s chosen should be careful whom they follow, for “false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall show signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect” (13:22).
Paul mentions election five times in his letter to the Romans, alone. Since God is He who justifies, he says, “who can lay a charge against God’s elect?” (8:33). He says that God’s purposes stand—according to His choice, His election—not because of our works, but because of God’s calling (9:11).
Paul reminds us that, even as a remnant of Israel had remained faithful, we are among the remnant who stand, today, because of what he calls the election of grace—that is, God’s grace working in us so that we comprehend His election (His choice) to give up his Son as an intercessor, on our behalf (11:5).
Two verses later, he says that this election, this choice that God made, opens up avenues for us not open to Israel. And in chapter eleven, he says that we are beloved—as a result of God’s election to pursue us through the Son.
God leads by example. He demonstrates the nature of love, showing us that, above all else, it is a choice. This is the meaning of God’s election.
Paul also considers election when writing to the Colossian church, to the Thessalonian church, to Timothy and Titus, reminding them the elect are responsible to “put on holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering” (Col 3:12) and that he endures “all things for the sake of the elect” (2 Tim 2:10).
The Apostle Peter is just as sure to remind his readers of the election of God, the choice our Father made to pursue those who had been wayward and who are now His. He confirms Paul’s word to them, saying they were elect “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Pet 1:2), that they were, as Jesus, “elect and precious” (1 Pet 2:6).
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Much more could be said on the subject of election, to include such esoteric terms as the Calvinist Reformation’s view of Conditional Election, vis-à-vis Unconditional Election. This is a debate that has been raging since the death of John Calvin in 1564, one that I’ll leave for the theologians to discuss.
To me, the important point to remember is that God chose us to be a part of His Kingdom. God elected you, He elected me, to join him. And, according to John 3:16, we have a choice in the matter: whosoever would believe in Him can accept that offer of grace to join Him in His Kingdom.
For my part, I’d like to not only join Him, but to play as active a part as possible. Would anyone like to join me?
Who would like to be elected to this office of active citizenship in the Kingdom of God? The offer has already been made; it’s now up to you to either become a citizen or to decide you’ll focus all of your internal energy to the Kingdom’s purposes.
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If you’re downcast, as a result of last week’s election results, take heart. God cast His ballot in your favor from before the foundation of the world, and His vote counts much more than that of any American voter.
His election needs to be, and to always remain, the focus of our attention. His vote counts more than any earthly voter’s.
He chose you to receive grace upon grace, so that you would know that you are among the elect of God. Rejoice in this day, knowing that you are His.
Grow, as He gives you the opportunity, in the knowledge of His grace and the assurance of His having chosen you to be among His very own—for He has a very specific Kingdom purpose for you in this very place and in this time. No one else can accomplish that purpose but you!
You are chosen by God to hold this office. Specifically, you have been elected by God to hold the office of ambassador, or representative, of the Kingdom of God; you are called to be a minister of reconciliation, “as though God were making his appeal through [you]” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
You are uniquely qualified. If you make your party platform that of the Kingdom of God, you will never be disappointed. You will succeed.
“Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Proverbs 19:21).
—Kevin Hutchins
*Please be advised that this blog represents the views, opinions and beliefs of the writer and does not necessarily reflect those of our church leadership or denominational