A Different Election
Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:10
At a gathering of politically-minded people, there were some candidates campaigning for public office.
After a lecture on the biblical underpinnings of the constitution, each candidate was given a few minutes to speak. The main speaker had just pointed out that, because the Bible is the only true source of right and wrong, anyone in public office should be expected to base their evaluation of what is right or wrong on the scriptures. (Ezra 7:25)
A Christian Politician
One of the candidates got up to give her campaign talk, stressing that she is a practicing Christian wanting to please God. I will have to take her on her word for now but my observations made me question her statements.
During a question and answer period she said she would follow every law as it is written. She did not express any desire to see any laws changed or to challenge any that exist. That alone makes me question if is she is a Bible-believing, Jesus following Christian.
The Lord’s Name
This woman’s claim to Christianity made me think about the third Commandment. It says, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7).
Is this not one way that we take the name of the Lord in vain, when we claim to be His child but we fail to stand up for His Word? This lady has a big public platform. She has the opportunity to speak real truth to many people.
If we profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, it should be evident by the way we live in the simple matters of everyday life.
In our culture, the definition of taking the Lord’s name in vain seems to be limited to the verbal misuse of His name in profanity and cursing, but doesn’t include the bigger picture of our public witness as Christians.
If the people claiming Christianity today are telling the truth, shouldn’t our churches be fuller on Sundays? Shouldn’t there be a greater outcry against the killing of innocent, unborn babies? If we were living by the Word of God, wouldn’t there be fewer divorces and less abuse in the family?
God’s “Election”
Is our faith in Jesus Christ real? Do we want to please Him? (1 Thessalonians 2:4) Do we live by His laws? (John 14:15) Is His Word the light to our path? (Psalm 119:105)
The Bible talks about “election” (Romans 9:10-11), but it’s God’s election of us. His vote always constitutes a majority. We need to understand that not any old claim to be a Christian “gets” His vote. He looks at the heart.
If we are really Christians, in our way of life are we taking God’s Name in vain? Does the way we live, or the way we vote, reflect our faith?