Results

The results are in, and things went a horrible way, but should we be surprised? I don't think so. Paul wrote about results to the church in Ephesus, and you can read it in Ephesians 4:17 With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

Remember, we are only aliens in the world, but we still have to "live" in the world, and ALL of the time the world is evil and totally against those who profess Christ as Savior and Lord. What do we do? Paul addresses this problem and offers a solution in the verses following the verses above. Ephesians 4: ²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

The results of an election don't change the way we live as believers. In fact, it should accelerate living this new life and shining as lights in the darkness. The writer of Proverbs says it this way. Proverbs 4: ¹⁸ The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. ¹⁹ But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. Or, as we say in Alabama, "Bless their hearts." Sadly, they live in TOTAL darkness, and we carry the light, which is Jesus, to show them the way out of darkness. Philippians 2:Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. ¹³ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. ¹⁴ Do everything without complaining and arguing, ¹⁵ so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. ¹⁶ Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Jesus, our Savior, said the following in Matthew 5: 14: “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

The results are in, so SHINE, AND SHINE BRIGHTLY IN THE DARKNESS, and God will shine and show the way through you. Gloriy to God!!

The Pilgrimage Continues,

David Warren