His Glory Blog

            Our previous discussion in “Christian Predestination” opened up an awesome set of questions so it is important that we make certain the Word of God is examined and studied to produce clarity and certainty in our hearts. The following verse is going to lead the way: For many are called but few are chosen (Matthew 22:14) This shows a clear distinction in being called and being chosen. Let’s look at each word in the original Greek and then in the context of scripture to see what the Lord is revealing to us about Himself.

Called (G2822 kletos – from klesis) – called as in an invitation or summoning

In the verse above from Matthew the statement is referring the people who had been invited to a wedding feast and rejected the invitation. Verse 22:3 says they “summoned those who had been invited.” The reaction of those who were called: did not want to come (v 3), paid no attention (v 5), went away (v 5), mistreated and killed the deliverers of the invitation (v 6). If we refer back to the example of the presenter in “Christian Predestination”, these are the people sitting in their cars angry that they were wet from the rain. They were called to deeper relationship, connection, and understanding; but rejected the invitation and blamed the teacher for their suffering. Do the reactions above of the wedding guest sound familiar to the secular rejection of Jesus and His Gospel?

Chosen (G1588 eklektos) – chosen as in selected, picked or set apart for a purpose

In the wedding feast story, the chosen were the people who accepted the invitation and showed up to the feast. This means that the difference in called and chosen is the decision of the recipient of the invitation. Free will to receive the Gospel and believe in Jesus is the invitation to make the choice to be chosen and used for God’s purpose. The free will to return God’s love is the only reason the reciprocal love between our Heavenly Father and His children can be genuine. God’s grace means He will not make anyone do anything. If you chose to give God your heart, your choice makes you chosen. In our story of the presenter these are the 20 people who when called to stay and have a close connection chose to stay and make the invitation personal.

Our Heavenly Father calls to all creation through creation itself (Psalm 19:1), through His Son Jesus Christ (John 7:37) and through the longing in all of our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God patiently calls to us, invites us to come to Him. God has a written invitation in His Word, the Bible. He put on flesh and came to earth to atone for our iniquity on a cross and die in or place through Jesus. God send His Spirit to await the acceptance of His invitation so He can place His Word in each of His adopted children’s hearts to grow His Kingdom of light on earth. Anyone who has heard of God, Jesus, the Bible, His Church, or met one of His chosen children has received the invitation. Free will now leaves the choice in their heart to receive His selection or remain lost and mistakenly upset they are not wanted.

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, because he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called (invited) and chosen (answered the invitation) and faithful (walk in trust and belief). (Revelation 17:14)

The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let him drink, the one who believes in me. Just as the scripture said, ‘Out of his belly will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37b-38)

He has made everything suitable in its time. He also has put eternity in their hearts, yet no one can grasp what God does from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

The Lord is not delaying the promise, as some consider slowness, but is being patient toward you, because he does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)