Many Are Called, But Few
Are Chosen
By Pastor Jeff Arnold, Gainesville, FL
It is always a grand thing when we are invited someplace, asked to be a part of some good event or even just to be asked to be a participant. We all enjoy the thing called INCLUDED: it makes us feel a little special. One of the best things to be INCLUDED in has to be the KINGDOM OF GOD. When Jesus came to this planet, He came with A MISSION, A MESSAGE AND A METHOD to accomplish HIS PURPOSES. I am so glad that through HIS CALL upon my life that I have been asked to BE A PART AND ALSO TO CONTRIBUTE to the fulfillment of HIS GRAND PLAN.
To be called is not only an HONOR, but carries with it an AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY. Most of us know that within ourselves we cannot accomplish whatever HE wants us to, but THANK GOD, GRACE has been provided for our WEAKNESS. I know that God sees the end from the beginning and He knew all about each one of us—WARTS AND ALL. He knows what potentials lie in us as well as the tendency toward fear and failure. I want, also, to be CHOSEN and not just one He has CALLED, for God calls many, but only chooses those FEW who are willing to DIE TO SELF.
Because HIS WAYS are unlike ours, the battle rages daily. We must deal with a world that tries to conform us into the WRONG IMAGE. Added to that, our own FLESH AND DESIRES OFTEN HINDER OUR PROGRESS. No wonder Paul called us to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH AND TO LAY HOLD UPON ETERNAL LIFE. MANY WOULD BE THE OPPOSERS to our winning that war. I surely want to make the RAPTURE and to be READY for the COMING OF THE LORD JESUS, so I must do whatever it takes to not INSULT THE CALLING with foolish living or wrong perceptions. I do not want to be a REPROACH to JESUS OR HIS WONDERFUL WORK—THE CHURCH.
May God help each of us to really seek to be CHOSEN and not just CALLED. LET ALL EXAMINE THEMSELVES OFTEN.
Ó 2004 J.W.
Arnold
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