What does it means to be Chosen by God
“First, they’re called, and those that respond to the call are chosen.”
I’m sure you’ve heard the term chosen, chosen by God, or being the chosen one. And like me, you wonder what it meant, and does that mean I have been chosen?
What is the difference between being called and being chosen? Does being chosen mean you are a part of a select, elected group of people that God favors? In today’s post, we’re getting into it all.
“For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up.” John 6:44 NLT
This post is all about what it means to be chosen by God
The Oxford Language Dictionary defines the word choose as
past tense: chose
- Pick out or select (someone or something) as being the best or most appropriate of two or more alternatives.
In Matthew chapter 22, Jesus tells a parable of the Great Feast of a king who prepared a wedding for his son. When the banquet was ready, the king sent his servants to notify those invited, but they all refused to come.
In verse 8, the king says, “The wedding feast is ready, and the guest I invited aren’t worthy of the honor. Now go out and invite everyone you see. So the servants brought in everyone they could find, good and bad alike, and the banquet hall was filled with the guest.
11 “But when the king came to greet the guest, he noticed a man who wasn’t wearing the proper clothes for a wedding. Friend, he asked ‘How is it that you are here without the proper clothes for a wedding? But the man had no reply.”
So you mean to tell me that you’re invited to an all-inclusive, all-expenses-paid luxury fine dining experience, and you show up in sweatpants and a t-shirt? We’re not judging, but following me.
How would you feel if a “friend” showed up to your wedding or event this way? Probably hurt? or feel they have a lack of respect for you.
Maybe the symbol of the man’s clothes represents his lifestyle.
Perhaps he wanted to answer the invitation, the call, to be a follower of Christ, but still live a sinful life?
Maybe he didn’t want to give up his old ways. Or maybe he thought that he could balance both “lives”, worldly and a called life.
Being called and chosen, we must repent of our sin, obey the gospel, and turn away from our wickedness. To deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. It’s about being obedient.
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT
There are some things that we must let go of to follow Jesus. There are some things, bad habits that have to be broken off when we answer the call.
Meeting with Jesus Notes:
There is demolition and restoration in the calling of the Lord.
Spending time with the lord, reading the Word, going to therapy, healing and unlearning things, and growing in other areas are all a part of the calling.
We were set apart before the world was formed; we were set apart from the wombs of our mothers.
We are all God’s children. He knows and loves every one of us down to our deepest thoughts, to the number of strands of hair on our heads.
You were chosen before every mistake you ever made because God loves you, and he factored everything on the cross and STILL chose you to die for.
He chose you and me when he pulled us out of darkness for his glory.
You may also like: How do I do Everything as unto the Lord?
Romans 8:30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Active Christianity said it very well. “Being called is like being invited. It’s like being invited to be a disciple of Jesus, to follow His footsteps.”
The first example that comes to mind is the story of the rich young man. If you know the story, after asking Jesus what he could do for external life and having already done the list of things he could do, Jesus took it a step further. Jesus told the man to “sell all of your possessions and give the money to the poor, you will have treasures in heaven. Then come, follow me”.
The list that’s found in Matthew 19:18 and 21 was in the invitation, the call, saying yes to The Lord.
But Jesus knew his heart.
…”We’re called to spend eternity together with Him! And people experience that calling in different ways. It can be by reading the Word, or hearing someone say something; it can just be a longing for something more, a kind of restlessness that you feel”…
Has the Lord been knocking on the doors of your heart?
” Jesus says that of the many who are called, only a few are chosen. And why is that? Well, not so many want to pay the price. Jesus says in another place that the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and only a few people want to walk on it. So you have to show that you really want this life. That means obedience to Jesus’ commandments and faithfulness, and then you’re chosen”…
Have the Lord’s calls been able to get through, or have they been going straight to voicemail because you are not ready to give up all the customs of this world?
It takes great patience and endurance to be chosen and walk with the Lord.
…Always keep in mind what you’re called to! And remember that the calling went out to all types of people. So it isn’t your starting point or your background or your talents or your circumstances that determine whether you’re chosen, but it’s how you respond to that calling!”
It all starts with our yes!
Are you willing to say yes to the calling of The Lord?
Does being chosen mean you are a part of a select, elected group of people that God favors?
In short, no. God is not a respecter of man. “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11
“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14
Am I chosen?
You have been chosen by God when you’re walking in his footsteps and doing his will on earth. It’s not about being chosen; it is about being saved and doing the will of God.
1 John 2:17 “And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
We are all here to serve. We are all called to discipleship and to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ, who has died and risen all for us.
Well, that is it for today’s post on what it means to be chosen and the difference between called and chosen. “Many are called, but few are chosen.” Are you ready?
Now it’s your turn. I want to hear from you. Has God sent you an invitation lately?
If you enjoyed the post and found it helpful, leave your comments below. Have something you’d like to add? In this community, sharing is always welcome. Plus, you never know who could benefit from it. I’d love to hear from you!
