Isaiah 65:22 They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.

How appropriate to title this blog on this day. Sorry this isn’t about popular elections of this day but rather a more controversial election, the doctrine of election. Nothing in all Christendom is more controversial than the doctrine of election.

As with so many things of a spiritual nature it is not as of this world. Natural thinking will not render a truth about spiritual matters. Only Spiritual thinking will bring light to this dark conversation.

Election is not God choosing us for if One were to be the only vote it is not an election, it would be a selection. In this we ere in thinking and cause others to respond in fear and distain. It would be easier to understand if we were called the electorate as in our modern use of the word, meaning we vote, we make a choice.

Joshua 24:15b choose you this day whom ye will serve

This day we elect representatives to serve us, at least that is the intent. One day you elected Jesus Christ to be the Lord of your life, so that you should serve Him. Once again this is upside down from the world view.

So why did I quote Isaiah 65:22 to speak to this issue of election? Simply put it has everything to do with this one line, for as the days of a tree are the days of my people. This is a sign of the elect, if you didn’t already know which way you voted. Every tree bring forth its own fruit and cannot produce fruit of another.

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

2 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

Do we pray first for those in authority? I tend to pray first for those closest to me. Here Paul exhorts Timothy to pray for all men but specifically leads off with those in authority. Have I missed an opportunity here in influencing my leaders with Godly influence because I failed to pray first for them?

I hope not and I know my God is a forgiving and faithful God but obviously He has asked us to pray so that we might have that abundant life we are promised. Sadly I tend to complain about leadership rather than pray for them. Listed in those instructions is giving thanks. Complaining isn’t giving thanks, so I have failed to be faithful in my prayers.

How much responsibility to we have in this world if we neglect to intercede thru prayer on behalf of all men? We pray for our Christian brothers and sisters, but how about our enemy? Aren’t they part of all men? Once again, I fail.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Awe come on, do I have to?

Hebrews 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

The law of love says yes.