Give Me A Minute – Are You Chosen?

Webster’s Dictionary defines chosen as, “one who is the object of choice or of divine favor:  an elect person.”

“Long ago, even before he made the world, God chose us to be his very own through what Christ would do for us; he decided then to make us holy in his eyes, without a single fault—we who stand before him covered with his love.”

These words come from Ephesians 1:4. They deal with a topic called “election.” This is tough for most of us to understand. Like Webster says, the verse means that God, who is sovereign (in control) and divine, chooses those who will go to Heaven. It is a decision that He makes, based on His will and His choice.

There is a clear distinction being made here. Some people are “the object of choice or divine favor” and chosen to spend eternity with God. The rest are not. But here’s where it gets even more confusing. We come to Him because He chose us to be saved. It really isn’t about our choice, it’s about His. So how do we reconcile that we couldn’t choose Him if He didn’t first choose us? I have no idea. But if God chose us, before He created the world, then I have little problem believing that at some time in a “chosen” person’s life, they will choose to follow Him.

How do we know if we’ve been chosen? Are you a Christ follower? Have you given your life to Him? Do you believe in Him? Did you call on Him? Have you come to Him? Or are you hard-hearted and resistant to the notion that there is a loving God who created you? If you are the former, you are chosen. If the later, then you are lost. That’s the distinction. Your choice…

15 For God said to Moses,

“I will show mercy to anyone I choose,
and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”

16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

Romans 9:15-16 NLT