The Elect and The Election

I Peter 1:1-2

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. (I Peter 1:1-9).

Yes, I’m going there.

There is something on my heart that has been a burden to me for a while and intensifies as we get closer to the upcoming Presidential election. Yes, I am burdened for our country, yes I am burdened with the division in our country, and yes, I am burdened with the rhetoric that is coming from both sides of the voting lines. 

But candidly, these are not the things that are most burdening to me. What is burdening me most are the responses I see from the elect, the Christian community. By Christian community, I not only mean well-known, public Christ followers but also regular Christians just like you and me. Some are dear friends and faithful believers. Candidly, we are the elect of God and with that blessing comes a greater responsibility.

I believe that these are well-meaning Christ followers who are passionate about their political persuasion. However, some of the rhetoric that I hear from my fellow Christians, the elect, even some pastors, concerns me. Beginning today and for the next three weeks, let’s be reminded of some biblical principles, especially as we approach Election Day, November 5, 2024.

Refuse to Neglect Your Responsibility

I hope that you will exercise your responsibility to vote as well as be involved in politics as the Holy Spirit leads you. I hear from some Christians today conversations like, “I don’t like either candidate and so I am not going to vote.” Not voting is the same as not taking part in the concerns of our country and just to be honest with you, I simply believe that to be unacceptable. I agree that both of the primary candidates provide us with serious moral concerns. I get it and am challenged by the moral and ethical dilemmas both candidates present. But simply not voting cannot be the answer. 

Take a moment to read this excerpt from Adrian Rogers’ booklet called Christian Citizenship.

Our government is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Well, we are some of “the people,” and we are to participate in our government. [Romans 13:7] says that we are to render custom to whom custom is due; fear to whom fear is due, and honor to whom honor is due. Jesus said to give to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and give to God the things that belong to God (see Mark 12:17). If you do not participate in your government, you have not rendered to your Caesar the things that belong to your Caesar. If, for example, you do not vote, if you do not inform yourself, in my estimation, you have disobeyed the Lord Jesus Christ. It is inconceivable that God would have ordained human government and then tell His people to stay out of it. If that is true, who does that leave to run it? We as Christians are to participate, not on the basis of parties or persons or politics, but on principles. We are to be informed, and we are to participate. Our highest allegiance is to God, but we have a duty to our country as well.

Identify with Christ More than a Political Party

I hear phrases like, “I am a republican,” I am a democrat,” or I am an independent.”  I hope you will look beyond the labels that are often associated with elections. I believe these labels are secular and manmade. In I Peter 1:1, the Apostle Peter writes to believers that are “scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen.” These are Christians (Peter calls them “chosen”) who, because of persecution for their faith in Jesus Christ, had been scattered to other parts of the world. Rome was pressing down on these Believers. The Roman emperor, Nero, was hostile toward Christians even blaming them for the burning of Rome. Yet Peter didn’t refer to them by some political ideology, he called them “aliens” or strangers. They were scattered, some perhaps homeless, yet Peter still refers to them as chosen. I like that title, chosen or elect, much better than a label of a particular political party. The only person I want to be identified with is Jesus Christ.

Remember that We are Not Home Yet

Remember we are “aliens” here in this world. This world is not our home; we are temporary residents. Don’t get me wrong, I love our country and I become misty-eyed when I hear our National Anthem played. But let’s remember, we are short-timers  here. This place is only a temporary residence for us. In the words of the song writer, Steven Curtis Chapman, We Are Not Home Yet. Our home is eternal, so I encourage you to vote, to exercise your responsibility but to also remember:  Our earthly home is fading away and we as Christians are on a journey to our eternal home. 

Place Your Hope in the King of Kings 

God, the King of all other kings, is sovereign and in absolute control. I understand the fear, discouragement, and disappointment in the statement, “I don’t know what will happen to our country if [insert candidate name here] is elected” or “if such and such is elected, that is the end of our country.”  But this kind of language reflects a heart of fear, anxiety, and displaced hope. What do I mean by displaced hope? Our hope should never be in a political candidate, our hope should never be in our governmental representatives, and certainly not in a president. Our hope is in the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3).

The same God who “caused us to be born again” has a divine will for us and for the world we live in. His plans are coming together for His glory and for our good. There is never a time that God forfeits His sovereign control. It is in this truth that we hope!

I invite you to pray with me about this election, to pray for the candidates, to pray especially for the salvation of our leaders, and to pray for God’s elect to be faithful to share the Gospel of Jesus. Next week, and for the next few weeks, we will continue to talk about The Elect and the Election.