I don't think I have to tell you that today is Election Day in the United States. I also don't have to tell you that this has been one of the most divisive elections our country has seen. Now, I'm not going to tell you who to vote for--I hope and pray you've already decided that for yourself. But I do want to encourage you to vote, period. Get out there and voice your concern in the public discourse.

But I also want you to think about how you're going to live after you vote. In short, will you dedicate yourself to living right? To live right is to live in a way that lines up with the will of God, which sometimes means having to put away what feels good and decide on something far less glamorous. From John 12, let's look at three components of living right: the right pursuit, the right provision, and the right priorities.

First is the right pursuit: "Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast [Passover]. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, 'Sir, we wish to see Jesus.' Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus" (vv. 20-22).

We don't know who these Greeks were, but they were pursuing the right person: Jesus Christ. What are you seeking above all else? To live right, you first and foremost need to pursue Christ. As Jesus said, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Number two is the right provision: "Jesus answered [Andrew and Philip], saying, 'The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain'" (John 12:23-24). Even as these Greeks were pursuing Him, Jesus was speaking metaphorically about His own death on the cross and resurrection--the provision for their sins and the sins of the whole world.

Here's the point: if you're going to live right, you need to pursue Jesus as your Savior. It's good to pursue Him, but you must first and foremost pursue Him as the one who came to die and make provision for your sins before God.

The third and final part of living right is having the right priorities: Jesus went on to say, "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also" (vv. 25-26).

In this context, to hate your life simply means to prefer something else to it so entirely that it's as if you hate it. When you prefer what is right, even if you lose temporary pleasure, you get life. As Jesus said in Mathew 10:39, "If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it" (NLT). It's a paradox: we live by dying. And if you want to live the right life--even though there are pleasures that are deferred, even though it might hurt and be uncomfortable--then you must pursue Christ not just as your Savior, but also as your Lord and Master.

And look what happens when you do: "If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor" (John 12:26). Let that sink in. To be honored by the God who gave you life and breath is to know that your life is being lived right. There's no higher honor or joy than that.

So there it is: living right involves the right pursuit, the right provision, and the right priorities. Folks, you're the light of the world, shining in the darkness of this age through your words and your lifestyle. Whatever the results of the election today, God is on the throne in heaven. And we're still here on earth, so let's make the choice to live right until Jesus comes again.