The words “called and chosen” are not synonyms. They are both names for the saints of God. It is important to understand the difference between the two.
In the Greek language, the word for “called” is kletos. It is related to the noun klesis, which means “a calling” and is used “especially of God’s invitation to man to accept the benefits of salvation” It is important to understand that one’s calling is an act of the Heavenly Father. Only He calls (invites) someone.
Not only is a Christian to be called into a relationship with the Almighty, but there is a calling “out of the confusion of erroneous teachings into the light of God’s truth. We must respond to that calling (invitation). Positive action is required. To be chosen, a person must accept their calling, be grateful for it, and move forward in serving God.
The word for “chosen” in the Greek language is eklektos. It means “chosen out, select, elect.” After one’s calling, an individual decision has to be made as well. One must accept the calling and act accordingly.
We have to make a decision after we hear the Bible. We must trust and believe in God. We cannot just accept the wonderful calling of the Heavenly Father, and continue to live a life following our own desires. The called and chosen must be faithful. They must continue to obey and rely on the Almighty.
God needs you in His work to reach the world
with His message of hope. You are His chosen one. Here are a few reasons
(below) why you are so cherished and important to Him:
1. God’s
affection lasts for me forever. He
is always good.
2. God’s
love (uncontaminated and unblemished) knocks
fear down.
3. God adores me. I am His beloved
child.
4. God
doesn’t love randomly. He loves me
lavishly.
5. God
knows my suffering and tears intimately.
He understands our turmoil
6. God chooses me (not because I am
great) but because He has great plans to use me for his glory.
7. God
won’t allow anyone to take me from His side. He cherishes me.
8. God
makes me more holy so that I am becoming more like Him every day.
“Whatever
I will become will be what God has chosen for me.”
(Elvis Presley)[ii]
[i] This verse is at the
conclusion to the Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14). In the
parable, the king sends his servants out to gather the guests to the feast.
Those invited refused to come because they were hostile toward the king. So the
king commands his servants to go out and invite anyone they find. Many come and
fill the wedding hall.
The king sees one man without wedding clothes, and
he sends him away. This symbolically meant that the man was to put on morality,
but he didn’t do that. Jesus
concludes by saying that many are called (invited) to the kingdom of Heaven.
Only those who have been selected, and received Christ will come. Those who try
to come without the covering of Jesus sacrifice on the cross for their sins are
insufficiently dressed, and will be sent away. The lesson of the parable is
that when someone is called by God, that person has a responsibility to respond
to the calling and make spiritual changes in his or her life.
[ii] Sources
used:
·
“10 Ways
God Loves You More Than You Know” by Kelly
Balarie
·
“Called and Chosen” by John Foster
· “What does “Many Are Called but Few are chosen” in Matthew 22:14 Mean?” (https://www.gotquestions.org/many-called-few-chosen.html)
Inspired
by the novel, A.D. 33, by Ted Dekker
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