Who Chose Who?

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Day 4 – Who Chose Who?

 

John 15:16a

You did not choose me, but I chose you...

 

This idea of being chosen is a controversial topic with some Christians. The question comes, “Did I chose God, or did God chose me?” The Bible indicates that God made the first move when it comes to our salvation. He loved us and chose us before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). God always is described to be taking the first move in terms of salvation. While it may appear that we make the decision, God says that he does: he reaches out, he rescues sinners, he is the one that drew us to himself and enables us to accept and believe. This idea of “choosing” or “chosen” is all through the New Testament.

 

Ephesians 1:4 says, “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him...” In 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul testifies, “I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen.” And Titus 1 has a similar statement: “to preach to the chosen so that they could hear and believe.” Or as one commentator notes …

 

“James 2:5 says… “Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?” Of course, He chose – just like He chose Israel, just like He chose Christ, just like He chose the patriarchs, just like He chose the apostles. He continues to choose His people… and in 1 Peter he writes “to those who are chosen.” Why does God do the choosing? Well, because no man on his own seeks after God!

– John MacArthur

 

Romans 3:11 tells us that no one seeks God. Why? We are spiritually are lost without him; worse, we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1). Dead people don’t move a lot. In fact, they don’t move at all. God can and often does brings people from death to life (Romans 6:23).

 

Many people will ask how will they know if they are chosen or not. The answer is simple. They will believe in their heart, and confess Jesus with their mouth and they will be saved (Romans 10:9). All who come to him are those whom he called and has chosen. Yet the responsibility of evangelism remains the same. We all must go! As Paul writes in Romans 10:14-17, people come to faith through hearing the gospel message preached (vs.17)! The disciples were commanded that it be preached to all, not some: all of creation (Mark 16:15).

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