POST ELECTION

I purposely used the term "election" in a dual sense here: 1) the upcoming  primary election (which I already cast an early ballot for :) ; and 2) the election of God to save some but not all sinners (all of us).

I fully realize that today's post has absolutely nothing to do with the first meaning. But it has everything to do with the second.

Election is the call of God to choose sinners to be His people, the ones whom Jesus came to save. Are you one of them? I pray you are. Many will reject Him and His salvation.

"Many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)

The process is completely a work of grace.(Ephesians 2). We did nothing to earn, deserve, or merit salvation. But He offers it freely, and we must accept. Period.

Rejection is not a (good) option.

WHENCE ELECTION?

So we are left with the dilemma: how did we come to believe in election? The word itself is the English translation of the Hebrew word for "choice:" bachir.

"Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights." (Isaiah 42:1)

This is a Messianic reference to the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth. Interesting is the way God refers to His people using the same word, bachir ("chosen") in the very next occurence:

"For the sake of My servant Jacob, and Israel My chosen..." (Isaiah 45:4)

The first occurence of the word "choose" (bachar) used about God, to the best of my knowledge, is found in Numbers 16:5.

"The one whom He chooses, He will bring near to Him."

And,

"The man whom the LORD chooses shall be the holy one."(Numbers 16:7)

CHOSEN BY GOD

And just to beat a dead horse... dead, here is the more broad application of being chosen by God:

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth."(Deuteronomy 7:6)

 Sounds like God is in the business of "choosing" people, does it not? This is why we tremble at His Word, and thank Him for His grace. We need it. Anyone who will not see their need of God's grace is a "fool." (Psalm 14:1)

IT'S YOUR MOVE

The "freedom/bondage of the will" is a topic worth exploring separately. Suffice it to say, we all have a choice to make.

"Choose (bachir) this day whom you will serve."(Joshua 24:15)