The ultimate conundrum.

As we approach the general election many people are wondering who to vote for, and some may be tempted not to vote at all, while expressing the view that "they are all as bad as each other".

Personally, I believe that it is a citizens duty to vote; after all, huge numbers of people gave their lives in two world wars to give us the freedoms we have today, and that includes the freedom to choose the government at the ballot box.

According to God's infallible word, "the powers that be are ordained of God" (Romans 13 v 1).  Put in simple terms it means that God appoints those who are in authority.  If God appoints the government why should we bother to vote?  Some Christians try to get round this by saying that God merely allows those in authority to be there, but we make the decision to put them there!  However, that will not do - Romans 13 is explicitly beyond question, God actually appoints the govt.

Herein lies the conundrum - if God appoints the govt. how is it that we have the free-will to choose who to vote for?  The answer is that both statements are true.  It is not for us to try and work out the secret counsels of the Most High; God is sovereign, and He has a way of ensuring that His will is done, while at the same time, we have the power of choice at election times.  If we could understand all God's workings He wouldn't be God!  There has to be some element of mystery.

That brings me to the ultimate conundrum.  It is one thing to discuss this matter when it comes to the question of who will be Prime Minister on December 13th, but what about the most important issue of all - how do we get right with God and be assured that Heaven is our destination?

Of course, the Bible is clear "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" - Acts 16 v 31; but why is it that, in terms of the percentage of the whole human race, few people believe while most refuse the call of the Gospel?

The answer is simple, it is those who are ordained to eternal life who believe (Acts 13 v 48).  None of us will get saved unless we are given the gift of faith (see John 6 v 65, note the word "can", this speaks of ability).

Now we get to the real question of the ultimate conundrum - the Bible teaches that we are all responsible to turn to Christ in response to the call of the Gospel, and that it is our own fault if we don't get saved.  However, only those "ordained to eternal life" will believe.  How is it that God appoints His elect to eternal life and still holds accountable the ones who don't believe?

Paul deals with this in Romans chapter 9; anticipating this question he answers with characteristic bluntness and simplicity "Who are you, o man, to answer back to God" (v20); and that is the answer to the ultimate conundrum - God is God and we are not, He calls the shots, He is in charge and we must submit to Him in all His decrees.  As Nebuchadnezzar  put it "He does according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand or say unto Him 'What are you doing?'"  Daniel 4 v 35.