THE CHOSEN

Yesterday was Election Day, and I wrote about man having to make a life choice of either the broad way which leads to destruction, or the narrow way which leads to life eternal (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus taught us that He is the narrow way; in fact, He is the only way (Jn. 14:6). I said that we chose or elect to accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We exercise our free will. Joshua addressed this when he said, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15).

But, there is another form of election in the Word of God which says that God chose some who are His elect. The Jews are called the "chosen people" because they were singled out of all the nations to be God's people (Deut. 14:2; Ps. 33:12; Isa. 43:20; etc.). The Olivet Discourse describes the Jews during the Tribulation as His elect (Matt. 24:4-28). I have written extensively on the fact that the Church will not be on Earth during the period known as the Time of Jacob's Trouble, Daniel's Seventieth Week, and the Tribulation. Please refer to them if you are not sure it is the Jews who are being discussed.

The Church is also described as being a "chosen people" (Jn. 15:19; Eph. 1:4; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 2:9; etc.). Up until the Day of Pentecost following Christ's Ascension, there were only two kinds of human beings: Jews, and Gentiles. But on that Pentecost, another kind was added: Christians (Acts 2:1-47). Christians are also called "God's elect" (Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12; 2 Tim. 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Pet. 1:2; 5:13; 2 Pet. 1:10). So while we choose or elected to trust in Christ, God also chose or elected us to be His children.

One problem many people have with God choosing the Jews and the Church is that it appears to make void man's free will, and makes it seem like God has favorites. Two verses will prove that neither one is true: "God is no respecter of persons" and "God does not wish any to perish" (Acts 10:34; 2 Pet. 3:9). God's criteria for choosing those who are saved is that they have trusted in Him. Abraham, the father of the Jews, believed God, and God called him righteous (Rom. 4:3; Gal. 3:6; Jam. 2:23). The born-again believers of the Church received Christ, and they became the children of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Jn. 3:2; etc.).

Another problem for skeptics is that God chose Christians before He began creating the Universe (Eph. 1:4; 2 Thes. 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:2). It is that last reference that clears up the confusion for me. God chose us before the foundation of the world, because He knew we would choose Jesus Christ. Another passage that says this is Romans 8:29-30, which says that God knew who would receive Christ, and as a result, He predetermined that they would become like His Son. The bottom line is, we are chosen because we have chosen! To God be the glory. Amen.