Every four years we have the privilege and responsibility to cast our vote for the presidency of the United States. We make this choice of a president based upon several conditions.
First, in terms of prosperity, we want a president that we can trust to do what is best for the country as a whole, not just what is best for a select group of people, whether they are rich or poor, or somewhere in between.
Secondly, in terms of security, we want a president that puts America first by doing what is necessary to provide needed protection for our citizens.
Thirdly, in terms of philosophy, we want a president who will honor the ideals reflected in the constitution and values of our country as set forth in our history and documents insuring the freedoms, rights and responsibilities of the people.
Fourthly, in terms of integrity, we want a president who we can trust to do the right thing when everything else is going wrong.
I’m sure we could all add more to this list, but the point is that we will cast our vote to elect and choose a president based on these and many other conditions that we think will merit our choice.
In contrast to this, God’s election of individuals to salvation is not based on any conditions that he finds in us, but upon his own sovereign love and mercy:
Even as he chose us in him (Christ), before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will to the praise of his glorious grace… (Eph 1:4-6)
God’s choice of us is not based on any foreseen merit in us, but is according to his own love and purpose for the praise of his glorious grace.
But notice that each of us was chosen in Christ, and, we were predestined to be sons through Jesus Christ. Yes there is merit involved in God’s choice of us, but it is not our merit, but the merits of Jesus, the God/man as our substitute. He lived the life that God required of us and died for the punishment of our sins so that in him we could be holy and blameless before him.
Let us remember that all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus (Mt 28:18). His merits are sufficient to provide saving grace to all of God’s elect, and common grace for all of our presidential elections. God raises up kings and he deposes them. Our confidence is not in the government but in the God who governs all things according to his sovereign will.
So we join Paul in praise as he finishes the clearest statement of God’s sovereign election and its profound effect upon the lives of individuals and nations in Romans 9-11 with these words: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Rom 11:36)
