Who Are You Voting For?

As we approach the day of election there is no doubt countless things are running through our minds. In fact, many of you may have already cast your vote by the time you get this letter. How can any of us remove ourselves from it when the billboards, television commercials, news channels, newspapers, magazines, basically everywhere we look, we are bombarded with the advertisement?

Both candidates have been around mankind long enough to know what draws a crowd, what will persuade minds, and how people will likely react to certain conditions and stimulants. They know the differences between the mindsets of both males and females, along with ethnic groups, and it appears that both parties are ready and willing to share their ideals with any who will listen.

Both candidates find their way into our homes and minds, as they ask for our time, money, families, and friends. There is no doubt that each of these persons desires us to put our faith in them, while we turn away from the other one. Daily do we yet hear their message at every turn. They need our money that their message may be furthered, our time so that we may speak to family and friends convincing persons to vote for them, and quite often we show our support by the advertisement of our clothing, stickers on our vehicles, signs in our yards, and by our daily conversations.

The truth of the matter is we have a liar, a cheat, a hypocrite, a conniver, and a deceiver, one who speaks enticing words into itching ears that will only lead us down a broad road of destruction on the left. While on the right, we have one who is wise, faithful, honest, and caring, who has suffered great for our freedom and will be there with us down the strait and narrow path that will lead to great blessings.

Now, when such diverse platforms can be run by two totally different persons, yet the minds and hearts of the people are continuously tossed back and forth as to who they should vote for, what is the problem? Is it the message or the hearts of the people?

Scripture declares, ‘Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,’ while it notes ‘John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.’

Seriously, let us take a moment to consider how much time, energy, and money we give to listen to, to read and study to understand, and give to support a likely candidate that will serve four to eight years in this earthly life. Do we spend equal or greater amount of such (time, energy, and money) learning to know our Savior and turning away from the temptations of the flesh, the world, and the devil? Which of these candidates’ platforms did we follow today, and who do we most often vote for?

May it always be Christ.

Am I One of the Elect

The simple answer:
If you have accepted by faith the gospel of Jesus Christ, that He was delivered for our offences, was buried, and was raised again for our justification, then indeed yes you are of the Elect.

There is no special formula or hidden message in the scriptures to identify the Elect of God. “Elect” is not a dirty word and should never be treated as one. “Elect” means “chosen or selected”, so it should carry a sweet smell that indeed we are chosen, selected, and most importantly loved by God.

Being of the Elect does have great benefits: He shall gather them up by His angels when the time is right [Matthew 24:31]; He has shortened the tribulation period [Matthew 24:24]; He shall not allow them to be deceived in the end [Mark 13:22]; He shall avenge them [Luke 18:7]; He will have no one lay charge upon them [Romans 8:33]; He knew us by foreknowledge, sanctified us by the Spirit, cleansed us by the blood of Christ [1 Peter 1:2]; and these are just a few. Read the Manual and you will find many, many more.

Being of the Elect does not authorize us to be proud: We are not given the authority or privilege to walk about with our chest held out and our nose in the air as if we have attained that which others have not. This is not a club or lodge whereby we have earned our title by works of the flesh. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” [Ephesians 2:8, 9] We should be in a continual state of humility and obedience for the simple fact that God has chosen to give grace and mercy over justice.

Being of the Elect carries great responsibility: One is to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind [Matthew 22:37] and obey Him [Acts 5:29]; One is to love thy neighbor as thyself [Matthew 22:39] and thy enemies [Matthew 5:43-45], and forgive them [Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:22]; One is to spread the gospel by witnessing [Mark 16:15] and being a light in darkness [Matthew 5:16]. If we fail to be obedient, we shall be chastened of the Lord [1 Corinthians 11:32].

There is no reason to sit around and wonder if you are of the Elect or not. One needs only to obey scripture by putting their faith in the finished work of Christ. Don’t worry about if the Father is going to call you, whether the Spirit is going to convict you, and whether Christ will accept you. All one needs to do repent of your sin and come to Christ in faith believing He can take care of all the details!