Make Our Election Sure

It seems like, we are always counting down to something, aren’t we? It’s like we want something new to happen, something exciting, something different, a looking forward to a future day, when the old routine of things will change. We hear this countdown mentality in questions such as, “How many more years till I retire?” “How many more months till the baby is born?” “How many more shopping days to Christmas?” or “How many more minutes left in the football game?” It is like we are living in a countdown generation.

Have you been listening to the national news lately? How many more days till the 2020 presidential election? If you are counting down, there are 41 more days. Everything is boiling in the political arena. The national conventions are over and the first presidential debate is scheduled for Sept. 29. The candidates are hot on the campaign trail trying to convince and persuade the people to cast their vote on November 3.

Spiritual Application: I believe that many Christians are in a campaign mode, as well, with a countdown clock ticking down to the next greatest event in this world’s history. Jesus talks about this countdown to eternity campaign in Matthew 24, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.  And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.” But “When this gospel shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; then shall the end come….Verily I say unto you, This generation (that is, the generation in the midst of all these prophetic signs) shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” In other words, God’s last-day people are in the campaign business, taking the everlasting Gospel to all the people of the earth, hoping they will hear the appeal, accept the offer of salvation, and cast their vote for Jesus and become a part of the Kingdom of God, before the end of the world and the return of Jesus.

The presidential candidates say they are want to continue to take us into the 21st Century of this world’s history. But what does Jesus want to do? He says, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions;.. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3) It’s time for a real change. Jesus wants to come and take us home! He has a future planned with a new heavens and a new earth.

The world is getting ready for the last great voting event in history. We are well into the countdown to eternity campaign and only God the Father knows the day and the hour of the return of Christ. In this spiritual campaign there are only two parties, two candidates vying for our vote. Each one has their own campaign strategy. The spiritual primaries and debates are all over. It’s time to vote! It is a choice between that great dragon, the old serpent, called the devil and Satan, or Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. For whom are we going to cast our vote?

Christianity has a theocracy style of government, that is, God is always in charge and has control of every situation. We don’t vote God in or out of office; we simply cast our vote for or against Him. The Apostle Peter appeals to us, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure,” (2 Peter 1:10) God has always had a campaign strategy for the Salvation and deliverance of His people, so let’s make our personal election sure, and cast our vote for Jesus today. Like the old Hymn says, “It’s almost time for the Lord to come, I hear the people say.” “Go quickly out in the streets and lanes, and in the broad highway, And call the maimed, the halt, and blind, to be ready for the breaking of the day.”

Retired Pastor Jim Nichols – Sidney Seventh-day Adventist Church