The historic inauguration of America’s first black president is upon us. The 2008 election, which seemed to go on forever, is now a fading memory – unless, that is, you happen to reside in Minnesota. The incredibly close battle for a Senate seat there between conservative Republican Norm Coleman and liberal Democrat, and former comedian, Al Franken, is still undecided. At present, Franken enjoys a narrow lead of just 225 votes. But the Coleman campaign has mounted a challenge to the first recount that, for now, would place Franken in the seat.
Coleman's people are suggesting that some votes were counted twice and that some absentee ballots were wrongly rejected or accepted. State voting officials have become frustrated as the new challenge would require them viewing some 30 – 40,000 pages of documentation. Admittedly, the process is daunting, but the proper outcome is critical, especially in a Senate where every seat is so very crucial.
Challenging election results has become all too normal on the American political scene. And few will ever forget the extended national agony that was the Bush / Gore drama. But as important as electing the right individuals to public office is, the outcome of these contests pales in comparison when viewed along side another election - the one spoken of in Scripture!
The term “elect” is used sparingly in the New Testament, but that does not reduce at all its reality or importance. Paul confirms the idea of God having a special and distinct people in Colossians 3. In verses 12-13 he states, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” He refers to the idea again in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 writing, “God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth." Other similar verses include John 6:44, Ephesians 1:4-5 and 1 Peter 1:1-2.
Granted, it is not easy, humanly speaking, to grasp the entire biblical concept of election. It is difficult to fathom how salvation can involve both man’s free choice (John 3:16, Romans 10:13, Revelation 22:17) along with the truth that certain people are chosen to redemption in eternity past. It is, and has always been, a great mystery to the finite mind and a ‘seemingly’ incompatible doctrinal formula that has been the source for major denominational divides for centuries. Despite that, both principles are biblical and therefore must be taken at face value while trusting the omniscient God who miraculously blends it all together.
Upon entrance into the family of God through personal faith in Christ, the Christian’s status as part of the ‘elect’ brings certain blessings and benefits. These eternal promises can never be shaken or revoked. The prime example of this is the profound words uttered in Romans chapter 8.
“Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:33-39)
When the dust settles in Minnesota hopefully there will be no question as to which man the people intended to elect. But if you are not certain today whether you are part of God’s elect, why not make sure? Simply call out right now in simple child-like faith for the forgiveness and salvation found only in Jesus Christ.
“That whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21)
Bill Breckenridge
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