Chosen By God

To be chosen for honor and glory by men is usually deemed a privilege.  Some are chosen to serve in important positions in the government.  Others are chosen to lead a corporation.  Still some are appointed to run a charity.  Though it is an honor to be chosen by our fellowman, there is no greater privilege than to be chosen by God.

Christ

God chose Jesus as the Savior of the world.  He taught this as is evidenced by His enemies’ words.  “And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, ‘He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God’” (Luke 23:35).  Yes, Jesus is the Christ, chosen of God and rejected by man (1 Pet. 2:4).  He was the only one who could meet the righteous requirements of the law—the only one who could be the perfect sacrifice (Jn. 1:29).

Since Jesus is the one chosen by God, then we are duty bound to honor Him as such.  It is only through Jesus that we can be saved (Jn. 8:24).  We are to follow His example and obey His word (1 Pet. 2:21; Jn. 14:15).  This includes following the apostles as they followed Christ and giving heed to their word (1 Cor. 11:1; 2 Jn. 9-11).  When Christ tells us to love our enemies, or put Him before material possessions, or beware of false prophets, we must do it (Matt. 5:43-48; 6:19-34; 7:15-20).  Why, because He is chosen of God.

Witnesses

God chose witnesses to go out into the world.  Peter told the household of Cornelius that the resurrected Christ appeared to Him and a select group of others, “not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead” (Acts 10:41).  Paul was also chosen.  He was told, “The God of your fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth” (Acts 22:14).  Other than those chosen by God, there are no “witnesses” of God or Christ.

The witnesses had to see and hear the resurrected Christ.  No man or woman living today meets this requirement.  Paul said that he was the last to see the Lord (1 Cor. 15:8).  Any who claim to be a witness today are either self-deluded or liars.  Yes, Christians can tell others about their experience in learning and obeying the truth.  But this is not “witnessing” in the biblical sense of the word.

Christians

Paul wrote, “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world…God has chosen the weak things of the world…and the base things of the world…the despised God has chosen…” (1 Cor. 1:27, 28).  James said, “Listen, my beloved brethren; Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” (Jas. 2:5).  In other words, God chooses those who are humble.  Before time began, God chose who would and who would not go to heaven—NOT individually, however.  He chose, determined, decided, that the gospel would appeal to a certain character.  Men who are aware of their sin and need for God’s grace are the “chosen.”

If we are puffed up, stubborn in heart, and intent on doing things our way, we are not chosen of God.  He has no use for men who live in rebellion and resistance to Him.  He wants those who are submissive and compliant, those who will conform to His will.  It is a privilege to be chosen by God.  He is the Creator and Sustainer of life.  He is the ruler of the universe and the one before whom we shall stand in judgment.  To be chosen by such a One is an honor.  Our recognition of this honor will show in our actions.  Among other things, we will worship Him, pray to Him, and teach others about Him.

We cannot be chosen by God to be the Savior, nor witnesses.  However, we can be chosen to be Christians.  If you are willing to do His will—and do it—you are chosen by God (Jn. 17:17).

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
and there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

Showtime
Worship In The Age of Showbusiness
By Dan Chambers