Key Scriptures: John 15:16, 2 Timothy 1:9, 2 Peter 1:10

John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Relevance

Well, the federal election has come and gone.

After months of buildup—the arguments, debates, showdowns, and perpetual slandering—it is over in a day.

The cost of the buildup to the election far outweighs the cost on the day of the election. During the buildup, people decide for whom they will cast their vote, and on the eventful Saturday, they cast it and then watch the results in hope. 

Like politicians, Christians have a calling, and God challenges us to make our calling and election sure. 

Our daily walk—how ardently we seek that calling and how well we handle the daily situations we are put in—is our buildup, and arriving to face our Saviour is our election time.  

With political campaigns, neither opponents nor parties can make their calling and election sure. Over the years, I have seen 'certainties' lose elections and 100 to 1 no-hopers get elected. Come that final Saturday, it's anybody's race. As the votes are counted, pollsters favour one party or the other or say it’s neck and neck and too close to call. 

Our race to the finish line is different in several ways. We only get elected once, we don’t rely on voters to get us over the line, and our finish is dependent on one thing only—whether we are written into the Lamb's (Jesus) Book of Life.

However, like Pollies, we are called to a life of exemplary service. As servants of King Jesus, we mold ourselves into His prismatic image—His prayer image, His praise of His Father, His wisdom and understanding of hearts, His love for His Kingdom, and His never-ending desire to help others. 

2 Peter 1:10 calls us to be diligent in making that calling and election sure. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every politician we voted for was diligent towards righteous works and making our dollars and departments perform at their premium best?

Elections, whether spiritual or political, come down to the ongoing fight between righteousness and unrighteousness. Many politicians are diligent and work hard on the right things. But others seem committed to unrighteousness, which is why we must always cast our powerful vote on behalf of the Lord in the hope of good government. 

Our Saviour asks us to be the salt and light for the people of the Earth. By performing those roles well, we start fulfilling our election promise. We can also continue growing the fruit of the Spirit, conscientiously search for wisdom and knowledge, and lay down our lives for the Lord. By diligently doing things like that, we're taking up our cross and following Christ to the hole in the ground where they stood it up and nailed Him to it.

If all this seems like a hard task, just allow the Holy Spirit to increase His presence further and deeper into your heart, and both of you will fulfil all those things together in your partnership.

Just like water finding the path of least resistance, the Holy Spirit will work His way into all those areas of your life and fulfil each one until you’re bursting at the seams with love for your Saviour. 

This will ensure that whatever work the Saviour assigns to you will be done efficaciously with love and joy.  

Prayer

Heavenly Father, our federal election is over, and Australia has decided on a winner. I am grateful that you choose our election. Not only that, but you are working with us to achieve success. Praise you, Lord. 

Photo by Daniel Morton