July 21, 2013 WE’VE BEEN CHOSEN! Gen 12:1-3 When shopping, which usually has a greater influence on your purchases: price or quality? Back when we were little kids, it felt good when someone chose us to be on their baseball team, or chose us to play with. Similarly, it’s a great feeling to have God choose us to be part of His team! Approximately 4,000 years ago, a man named Abram was chosen by God to be the father of a great nation. This would be a special people, a treasured possession that would be more precious to God than all other people on the face of the earth. The Lord would enter into a special relationship with them, and they’d become a nation of priests (Exo 19:5-6). In the Old Testament, only Abraham’s natural descendants and their Gentile converts were a part of this nation. But now, in the New Testament, all people, Jews or Gentiles, can be chosen to be part of God’s church. This “divine selection” is solely and completely God’s decision, for Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Being chosen is not the result of our own efforts, nor are men chosen for their unique human abilities. Rather, the Lord chose David to be king because he had a special quality in his heart that others lacked. Even though many Christians don’t feel chosen, the fact remains that God gives all men a measure of grace, in order to draw them to salvation. Grace is the unmerited favor of God, which invites and enables us to serve the Lord. At the same time, God won’t take away our free will, and we have the option to either accept or reject His invitation. Being chosen should never become a source of pride that causes us to think we are better than non-Christians. On the contrary, since the Lord wants all men to become Christians and live with Him in heaven (I Tim 2:4), we have little to boast about. Instead, we should view our being chosen as an opportunity for service. After all, didn’t Jesus call us “the light of the world” (Matt 5:14), and commission us to tell everyone the good news of the gospel? Just as Jesus chose us, we likewise should choose the things that please Him, and avoid the things He dislikes. This is bound to please Him, and make Him glad He picked us! May the Lord continue to bless each of you! Good morning!
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 18:29:15 +0000
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