GOD CHOSE YOU - Study 3/10/11
God Chose You
On first read, the above statement may not register with you the impact and consequences of such pronouncement. Maybe if you were with me at the community gym when I had a chat with a Hindu friend, you would better appreciate that “God chose you”. My Hindu friend answered my questions and said, “Look, I was already programmed and brainwashed to believe in the many thousands of gods just because I was born Hindu”. He said he was so confused that even as a young person he wondered how he was going to appease all these gods that he can’t even number. And then, if he does not behave well and do enough good in this life he would have to come back in the next life worse than he is and reincarnate as a pig or some other lower animal”. My reaction was amazement and a feeling of sorry for him and for millions of Hindus who believe the lie. At the same time I was filled with thanksgiving and joy to God who has chosen me to know him - the true and only God. Being chosen is not a racial preference over another because God has chosen his own all across all His creation including the Hindu. But is my Hindu friend “programmed” because he is Hindu or does he have a choice to believe in the true God just like any of us?
Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonian Church that they are chosen. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” vs.13. This is a loaded statement. What a humbling reminder especially within the preceding background of the judgment that will come upon those who “perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” vs. 11-12.
What does it mean to be chosen by God? Does it mean that those not chosen are excused from God’s judgment of sin? For those that are chosen what is it that they did to be chosen or is there anything one could ever do to be chosen? For centuries this topic has generated a lot of debate and heat within the Church. One thing we cannot deny is that the statements and facts are in Scripture pointing to God choosing one over another. This is God’s problem not mine for explanation or should He even have to explain to us why He chooses? What about free-will?
As one of the chosen, let’s look into this topic with humility and gratitude because at the end that may be the only thing we can do or explain. Are you chosen and how do you know that you are not?
2 Thessalonians 2
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul was only reminding the Thessalonians what he already taught them in person and that he had already mentioned to them in the first letter regarding election and being chosen. Let’s review. “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God (1 Thes 1:4). “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory (1 Thes 2:12). “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:9). 13 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NKJV).
2. So what does it mean to be chosen or elected? Back to our text of study. “The Greek for “chosen”, is not the ordinary word for "elected," implying His eternal selection; but taken for Himself, implying His having adopted them in His eternal purpose”. Though the word chosen is not exact as elected, you can but get the same meaning as elected as used in other parts of Scripture. It is still the same concept of making a person holy and setting apart for Himself. The only one who makes holy through sanctification is God himself through his Holy Spirit. Paul wants the Thessalonians to understand this fact and that it is from the “beginning” of creation.
3. Jesus himself taught about election when he calls the Church the “elect”. 16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” John 15:16 ; “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:22, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other Matthew 24:31. An “elect” is one who has been elected or chosen thus, the doctrine of election is Christ’s doctrine.
4. Other New Testament references and use of the word “elect”. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.(Roman 8:33); “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” Titus 1:1; “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the …Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied” 1 Peter 1:1-2.
5. Other Scriptures on the concept of being chosen. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6). Again 11 “In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11). I believe we get the point that the Scripture is not silent on this subject.
6. The Old Testament has election written all over in the accounts of God’s people. First are Abraham and the Israelites. Noah, Samuel, David and etc. You can do an in-depth study on your own.
7. Why would God choose? Apostle Paul answers this question in Romans 9. “Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[d] 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
8. The process of coming to faith in God even explains itself. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” John 1 9-13. Did you see that it was not a human decision?
9. Further we see Jesus speak about the process of being born again. Again the work of the Holy Spirit. “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 31-8).
10. So what about the “believing” or exercise of “free-will” in the process? I guess the question should be which comes first. Is God the initiator or our belief in him that starts the process of being born again. This has been the debate. Both are necessary and I would believe that God has always had the upper hand in his calling. What did Abraham do to be chosen? Nothing. What about Jacob even in the womb he did nothing to be chosen over Esau. I would think my case is no different. I did nothing to be chosen. It is God’s choice and I am ever happy with it.
11. If God has chosen his own, why do we have to still evangelize? There is still only one way of coming to God - faith. And faith comes from hearing the word. But how can they hear unless one preaches to them and how can they preach unless they are sent. Also since you and I do not know who is chosen, every living being is a candidate and must hear the word of faith that brings life. We cannot pick and choose since we are not God. Moreover, God is the one who gave us the command to go and make disciples for him.
So what do we conclude from all this. God chooses. You are chosen and I am chosen. Glory be to God. Our response should be everlasting gratitude and thanksgiving to our God. Hey believer, are you still making excuse for God for the doctrine of election? How come you believe that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works? But you are not willing to extend it to being elected and being chosen? The two must go together.
Are you chosen? If you are not sure then accept God’s invitation and then believe in his son as your savior. God will never reject any who calls on him so do not tell me you are not chosen until you have called on God to save you. God does not send any to hell and that is not what election means. We were already destined to hell (“dead in sin” and condemned), why not accept God’s grace and mercy to get out of hell. Before you indict God, please read the following:
19 “One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? 22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:19-24.)
May God help us to understand his calling and to appropriately worship and honor Him in Jesus name. Amen.
On first read, the above statement may not register with you the impact and consequences of such pronouncement. Maybe if you were with me at the community gym when I had a chat with a Hindu friend, you would better appreciate that “God chose you”. My Hindu friend answered my questions and said, “Look, I was already programmed and brainwashed to believe in the many thousands of gods just because I was born Hindu”. He said he was so confused that even as a young person he wondered how he was going to appease all these gods that he can’t even number. And then, if he does not behave well and do enough good in this life he would have to come back in the next life worse than he is and reincarnate as a pig or some other lower animal”. My reaction was amazement and a feeling of sorry for him and for millions of Hindus who believe the lie. At the same time I was filled with thanksgiving and joy to God who has chosen me to know him - the true and only God. Being chosen is not a racial preference over another because God has chosen his own all across all His creation including the Hindu. But is my Hindu friend “programmed” because he is Hindu or does he have a choice to believe in the true God just like any of us?
Apostle Paul reminds the Thessalonian Church that they are chosen. “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth” vs.13. This is a loaded statement. What a humbling reminder especially within the preceding background of the judgment that will come upon those who “perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness” vs. 11-12.
What does it mean to be chosen by God? Does it mean that those not chosen are excused from God’s judgment of sin? For those that are chosen what is it that they did to be chosen or is there anything one could ever do to be chosen? For centuries this topic has generated a lot of debate and heat within the Church. One thing we cannot deny is that the statements and facts are in Scripture pointing to God choosing one over another. This is God’s problem not mine for explanation or should He even have to explain to us why He chooses? What about free-will?
As one of the chosen, let’s look into this topic with humility and gratitude because at the end that may be the only thing we can do or explain. Are you chosen and how do you know that you are not?
2 Thessalonians 2
1 Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, 2 not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. 3 Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[a] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4 He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5 Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6 And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9 The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, 10 and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11 For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12 and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. 16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Here are my observations in addition to the ones you may have:
1. Apostle Paul was only reminding the Thessalonians what he already taught them in person and that he had already mentioned to them in the first letter regarding election and being chosen. Let’s review. “Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God (1 Thes 1:4). “That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory (1 Thes 2:12). “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thes 5:9). 13 “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 NKJV).
2. So what does it mean to be chosen or elected? Back to our text of study. “The Greek for “chosen”, is not the ordinary word for "elected," implying His eternal selection; but taken for Himself, implying His having adopted them in His eternal purpose”. Though the word chosen is not exact as elected, you can but get the same meaning as elected as used in other parts of Scripture. It is still the same concept of making a person holy and setting apart for Himself. The only one who makes holy through sanctification is God himself through his Holy Spirit. Paul wants the Thessalonians to understand this fact and that it is from the “beginning” of creation.
3. Jesus himself taught about election when he calls the Church the “elect”. 16 “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” John 15:16 ; “And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Matthew 24:22, “For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect. Mark 13:22. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other Matthew 24:31. An “elect” is one who has been elected or chosen thus, the doctrine of election is Christ’s doctrine.
4. Other New Testament references and use of the word “elect”. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect? [It is] God that justifieth.(Roman 8:33); “Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness” Titus 1:1; “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the …Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied” 1 Peter 1:1-2.
5. Other Scriptures on the concept of being chosen. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves (Ephesians 1:4-6). Again 11 “In him we were also chosen,[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory” (Ephesians 1:11). I believe we get the point that the Scripture is not silent on this subject.
6. The Old Testament has election written all over in the accounts of God’s people. First are Abraham and the Israelites. Noah, Samuel, David and etc. You can do an in-depth study on your own.
7. Why would God choose? Apostle Paul answers this question in Romans 9. “Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. 11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God’s purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”[d] 13 Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”[e What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
8. The process of coming to faith in God even explains itself. It is the work of the Holy Spirit. “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” John 1 9-13. Did you see that it was not a human decision?
9. Further we see Jesus speak about the process of being born again. Again the work of the Holy Spirit. “Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” 3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.[a]” 4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit[b] gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You[c] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 31-8).
10. So what about the “believing” or exercise of “free-will” in the process? I guess the question should be which comes first. Is God the initiator or our belief in him that starts the process of being born again. This has been the debate. Both are necessary and I would believe that God has always had the upper hand in his calling. What did Abraham do to be chosen? Nothing. What about Jacob even in the womb he did nothing to be chosen over Esau. I would think my case is no different. I did nothing to be chosen. It is God’s choice and I am ever happy with it.
11. If God has chosen his own, why do we have to still evangelize? There is still only one way of coming to God - faith. And faith comes from hearing the word. But how can they hear unless one preaches to them and how can they preach unless they are sent. Also since you and I do not know who is chosen, every living being is a candidate and must hear the word of faith that brings life. We cannot pick and choose since we are not God. Moreover, God is the one who gave us the command to go and make disciples for him.
So what do we conclude from all this. God chooses. You are chosen and I am chosen. Glory be to God. Our response should be everlasting gratitude and thanksgiving to our God. Hey believer, are you still making excuse for God for the doctrine of election? How come you believe that we are saved by grace through faith and not of works? But you are not willing to extend it to being elected and being chosen? The two must go together.
Are you chosen? If you are not sure then accept God’s invitation and then believe in his son as your savior. God will never reject any who calls on him so do not tell me you are not chosen until you have called on God to save you. God does not send any to hell and that is not what election means. We were already destined to hell (“dead in sin” and condemned), why not accept God’s grace and mercy to get out of hell. Before you indict God, please read the following:
19 “One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” 20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”[h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use? 22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:19-24.)
May God help us to understand his calling and to appropriately worship and honor Him in Jesus name. Amen.
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