Enduring Election

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2Tim 2:10).

Attack ads on TV. Divisive political rhetoric. Zero talk of real issues. Must be an election year. So let’s just cut to the chase. I hate election years. Not dislike. I’m talking full on H-A-T-E. Yeah, I know. “Hate” is such an ugly word. But I’ve come to the conclusion that you can always tell when a politician is lying. Their lips are moving.

It seems like each election cycle gets worse. You come to the final choices for each party in just about every race and you go, “Really? These knuckleheads are the best we can do?” I participate in the election but I also must endure it. I’m Jay Jennings and I do NOT approve of this message!

If you feel the same way, Paul has some VERY good news for you. There’s another kind of election that we can all get behind. “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they may obtain salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (v10). The apostle is a campaign worker and he’s giving every ounce of his energy to the cause. But it’s not on behalf of any political candidate. He’s enduring it all so that those God chooses can fully realize a relationship with Jesus. This is one election I can really get excited about!

As unpleasant as an election year can be, it’s nothing compared to Paul’s situation. He finds himself locked up in a Roman prison (2Tim 1:8, 16; 2:9). Insert “crooked politician in prison” joke here. But this is really no laughing matter for the former Pharisee. He’s on Death Row (2Tim 4:6-7). He writes to his buddy Timothy for two simple reasons. One, he knows he must pass the baton of ministry to the young pastor (2Tim 2:1-4:8). Two, he desperately wants to see Tim one last time (2Tim 4:9, 21). 

The first word we see here in verse 10 is “therefore.” While we’re tempted to blow right by it without thinking, it’s an important connector between what the apostle has just said and what he’s about to tell us. As the old saying goes, “Anytime we see ‘therefore,’ we have to stop and ask, ‘What is it there for?’” 

The original language here (Gr. δια τουτο) actually pulls back the curtain of Paul’s motivation. So let’s back up a just a skosh. He’s devoted his life to preaching the Gospel (2Tim 2:8). It’s the whole reason he suffers in the slammer. But while he’s locked up, God’s Word is on the lam (2Tim 2:9). The apostle tells Tim his time behind bars is worth it because of what’s going on. We’re about to find out the reason for the election season.

“Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect” (v10). Paul uses the Greek verb `υπομενω here, which means to remain behind or stay when others leave. It’s the idea of refusing to flee. Standing your ground. Persevering. Bearing bravely and calmly. Folks look at your situation and wonder, “What in the world are you still doing here?”

Check out a handful of times NT writers use the word. Dr. Luke drops it when Joe and Mary head back to Nazareth and didn’t realize “the boy Jesus stayed behind (Gr. `υπομενω) in Jerusalem” (Lk 2:43). When troublemakers from Thessalonica found Paul in Berea, believers there smuggled the apostle out of town while “Silas and Timothy remained (Gr. `υπομενω) there” (Acts 17:14). In both cases, folks may be asking, “What in the world are you still doing here?”

But we get the ultimate model of endurance from our Savior. The author of Hebrews tells us that we should be “looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured (Gr. `υπομενω) the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured (Gr. `υπομενω) from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb 12:2-3). 

Christ not only endured the cross so that we would know the ultimate joy of a relationship with Him, but He endured so that we could endure! For those who can’t wrap their heads around the Gospel, they wonder why in the world did the Son of God die on a cross. They can’t figure out why in the world His followers often don’t flinch in times of trouble. Because that’s exactly what love looks like. “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures (Gr. `υπομενω) all things” (1Cor 13:7). We endure. It’s what He did. It’s what Paul did. It’s what we should do.

Specifically, Paul preserves through the total package “for the sake of the elect” (v10). The word the ESV translators give us for “elect” (Gr. εκλεκτος) describes something or someone selected or chosen. It’s the one picked out. When folks like Paul use this word, they’re NOT talking about politicians (Well, I guess they could be. If so, it’s just another crazy example of God’s miraculous grace!). In this case, the “elect” are the people God personally picks. The people He chooses. He casts His divine ballot in your favor.

The apostle Jesus nicknamed Rocky writes that God’s people “are a chosen (Gr. εκλεκτος) race” and that He picked us in order to tell others about Him (1Pet 2:9). Paul says that happens when “As God’s chosen people (Gr. εκλεκτος), holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, and patience” (Col 3:12 NIV). When explaining the sequence of events for His incredible return to His posse, Jesus said He “will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect (Gr. εκλεκτος) from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Mt 24:31). Kinda makes an election night victory of balloons and confetti look rather mild, don’t you think?

The shame about it is election in the Bible is just about as controversial as a political election. Relax. We’re not going into some drawn-out discussion of predestination here. Here’s what you need to know when it comes to election and God. We don’t so much choose God as He chooses us! Unlike too many of our political decisions, God is NOT faced with choosing between the lesser of two evils. He doesn’t cast a vote against anyone. He always votes FOR! And He votes FOR YOU because He LOVES YOU!!

Paul reveals to Timothy the entire reason he does it all is so that those God chooses “also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus” (v10). In other words, this election has nothing to do with fundraising. It has EVERYTHING to do with exploring all that God has obtained for you in and through His Son Jesus. Forget those empty campaign promises (the ones elected sure have!). This is a whole lot better than two chickens in every pot, building a wall, or making somebody other than you pay more taxes.

Few people who follow Jesus never really dive into the deep end of the pool of grace. It’s our own fault that we fail to enjoy the full benefits package of a relationship with the Lord. Our Savior came to bring us an abundant and overflowing life (Jn 10:10). As Dr. Phil likes to say, “How’s that working out for you?” Like Paul, God uses you and me to help the elect find out they’re God’s elect. That also includes unpacking what the life of a disciple looks like. This is one open enrollment meeting that won’t put you to sleep! Getting our hands on salvation means unlocking the full benefits of a relationship with Jesus.

Paul tells Tim how God’s selection of His people is done “with eternal glory” (v10).  In other words, this election isn’t about four more years. There’s no reelection campaign. This is one office with NO term limits. Once God selects you as His, you’re His for all eternity! And it’s going to be glorious!!

Now THAT’S a Candidate I can get behind! How about you? Once I’ve placed my trust in Who Jesus is and what He’s done for me, it’s time to campaign on His behalf. Because Christ endured so much for you and me, we should be willing to endure in order to share His message with others. He elected us. He personally picked us. He chose us to alert the elect! I don’t know about you, but that’s WAY better than suffering through another election season on Earth.