IN A STARTLING statement, Jesus said in Matthew 22, "Many are called, but few are chosen (verse 24)" What does it mean to be "called"? And what is the significance of being "chosen"? Is there any difference between being called and being chosen?
In Matthew 24, Jesus further identified that there are also the "elect" who will be the focus of end-time deception: "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." (v.24)
Who are the "elect" and how is this related with the "called" and "chosen" Jesus mentioned earlier?
Making it more direct, Jesus Christ also told the disciples, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you" (John 15:16). Christ elsewhere intimated, "No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him" (John 6:44).
So how does one becomes called, chosen, and be elected?
The key to these understanding can be gleaned in the apostle Peter's letter when addressing true Christians — true members of God's Church, he wrote: "But you are a CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who has CALLED you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people (ELECT) of God" (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Thus, Peter further admonished God's people — the ELECT, "Therefore, brethren, be even more deligent to make your call and ELECTION sure, for if you do these things, you shall never stumble" (2 Peter 1:10).
What is this whole concept of "calling" and "choosing" and "election" about? And why were the saints admonished to make their calling and election "sure" — certain?
Clearly, those whom He calls out of this darkened world and into "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" (2 Cor. 4:4) collectively form the 'Church of God'--the 'set apart' people of God (1 Cor. 1:2). The English word Church is derived from the Greek term 'ekklesia' and it means literally, the "called-out ones."
Now notice the four (4) important steps we must take before we can be fully received into the spiritual body, called the church of God:
✅️1) We must be CALLED by God (Rom.1:6-7)
✅️2) As free moral agent, we need to RESPOND to God's call (Acts 17:30-31)
✅️3) Then God CHOOSES us and grants us repentance, baptism, forgiveness, His Holy Spirit and His grace (Rom.2:4; 2Cor. 7:10).
✅️4) After God calls us and chooses us, as ELECT of God, we must not to be deceived again, and must "endure to the end" (Matt. 24:13). Hence, the true test of believers are their faithfulness to their calling (Rev.17:14)! We must hang in there, so to speak, never wavering — and must be faithful even unto death (Rev.2:10)!
Why? Because when the glorified and crowned Jesus Christ returns to this earth as 'King of kings and Lord of lords', He will immediately gather His elect to Himself, notice (!):
"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:30-31)
The only question now is: Will you want to be called and chosen by God to be His elect?
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.." (Colossians 3:12)
📷 BibleArt #Pentecost2024 #Elect
Comments