ELECTION DAY
Text: Joshua 24:15
Election day for a nation is a very exciting occasion, especially this last election. But election day for an individual - his or her own personal election day - is of far greater importance to to them. It is the day they decide their eternal destiny.
The doctrine of election has confused and troubled many. Some have said, "If God has chosen me for salvation I will be saved; if He hasn’t there is nothing I can do about it." Some think that every person must save theirselves by their manner of life and that God has little to do with it. Still others believe that all men will be saved. In the midst of these conflicting ideas stands the clear teaching of the Scriptures: God offers salvation to all and each person decides for theirselves whether or not they will accept God’s gift. An old preacher once put it like this: "God votes for you, the devil votes for you, and the way you vote carries the election."
Let us imagine that a gigantic building represents the kingdom of God. Above it’s entrance is emblazoned the great invitation "Whosoever will may come." On each side of it’s open doors are such statements as these: "The Lord is not...willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9) "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Rev. 22:17).
Vast multitudes of people of all ages, races and tongues throng into this building. Upon entering, they find inscribed in the everlasting stone of it’s inner walls such truths as these: "Chosen...before the foundation of the world" (Eph. 1:4). "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God" (1 Peter 1:2).
Your personal election day is the day you choose to enter, or not to enter, this spiritual building; to accept or to reject Jesus Christ as you Savior. It is the most decisive day of your life.
For the rich young ruler it was a tragic day. This young man rushed to Jesus with the urgent question, "Good Master, what...shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matt. 19:16). Jesus knew exactly what he must do. Wealth was this man’s god. The idol must be destroyed before the living God could be enthroned in his heart. "Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor," Jesus told him, "and come and follow me" (v. 21). Then we read one of the saddest statements in all literature: "He went away sorrowful: for he had great possession" (v. 22).
For Zacchaeus, the unscrupulous tax collector, election day was a joyous one. This man climbed a tree so that he might see Jesus from a vantage point as He passed by. The Lord spotted him and called: "Zacchaeus...come down" (Luke 19:5)! Zacchaeus came down and received Christ into his heart and into his home with joy. "This day is salvation come to this house" (Luke 19:9), Jesus remarked.
These two New Testament characters are symbols of humanity: those who receive Jesus, and with Him, eternal life and joy, and those who reject Him to their eternal sorrow and death.
Have you chosen Jesus? Have you opened the door of your heart to Him and said, "Come in, Lord and possess my life?"
Another election day of tremendous importance is the day one chooses their lifework. A right choice can mean the greatest success: a wrong one, dismal failure.
A missionary on furlough from China visited in a millionaire’s home in a great American city. Many distinguished quests were present, but the hostess sought out the missionary and with real concern inquired about his work. AS they talked she confided, "When I was converted, God called me to go to China. I knew I should be a missionary, but I got married and settled down. I have all that I want, my husband and I get along well, but I gave up the best for secondary things. I have never been completely happy."
Many have failed to find genuine happiness and satisfaction in life and to make their largest contribution to life, because they have chosen the wrong course, the wrong mate, or the wrong occupation. As a young person, do not make this mistake. Let God direct your life. Seek and follow His leading. If you have done wrong, correct it. Ask God to overrule your error and to give you another chance to do His will. Elect today to follow in the way God leads. Whatever your age or condition, God will help you to make the most of the time that is yours upon the earth. He will do wonderful things with any life that is truly dedicated to Him.
I a very real sense, every day is election day for each one of us. We are confronted with choices and decisions continually, and though they may seem small and insignificant, they seldom are. Just as the mountain ruvulet divides at a spot in the Rockies, one stream flowing east and the other west, finally to mingle with oceans a continent apart, little decisions affect personal destiny.
The pastor of a large city church was the guest speaker at a prison camp. He was introduced by a prisoner who told of his boyhood association with the minister. They had played together, gone to school together, and attended the same Sunday School. One of them had dropped out, but the other kept on going. "The boy that dropped out", he concluded, "is the one who is making this introduction. The boy who kept on going is the one who will preach to us this morning."
Every day we make choices which shape character and mold life. We choose to tell a truth or a falsehood, and truth or falsehood is stamped upon the soul. We choose to take a social drink or refuse it, and who but God can know the outcome? We choose to discipline our lives or to follow the path of least resistance, and we are strong or weak as a consequence.
We choose to hold a grudge or to forgive freely, to be selfish or generous, happy or sad, and the lines of character are firmly drawn. Choices determine destiny. Each day is a day of decisions.
Let us choose carefully, prayerfully, and well.
Let us choose to follow Christ, the Savior of all the world. Turn your heart over to Jesus and let Him be first place in your life.
O God, guide our choices! Forgive those which have been wrong. Overule our mistakes. Grant us the strength and the courage to do always what we ought to do. Help us to live each moment at our highest and best, led and empowered by the Holy Spirit. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
