Whom He Desires

Jesus the Son of God said, “Many are called, but few are chosen,” Matthew 22:14. It’s interesting that the Greek word ‘eklektos’ is used for both chosen and elect. According to Strong’s Concordance, it means – – –

Definition: select, by implication favorite

Usage: chosen out, elect, choice, select, sometimes as subst: of those chosen out by God for the rendering of special service to Him (of the Hebrew race, particular Hebrews, the Messiah, and the Christians).

Paul the apostle said, “6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. 9 For this is a word of promise: “AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13 Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

The Lord chooses those ‘whom HE desires.’

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? FOR WHO RESISTS HIS WILL?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God?

According to Jesus and Paul, God elects or chooses those who are to be His own. He disciplines them as a father disciplines his children, and though they are in His kingdom by His doing and not their own, He finds fault with them as they stumble in their upbringing.

Compare this to a newborn child in an ordinary family. The child did not choose to come into this world but is nevertheless here by the choice of its parents. Whether they planned to have the child or not, the child was born because of both parents’ choices.

As the child grows, the parents find fault when the child does wrong and discipline the child so that it may learn as it grows. In the same way, our heavenly Father made the choice for us to be His children and disciplines us so that we may walk the narrow path that leads to righteousness.

Yes, we have free will, but it depends NOT ON THE MAN who wills or the man who runs, it depends ON GOD who has mercy, Romans 9:16.

1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, 29 that no man should boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

Acts 13:48, And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been APPOINTED to eternal life BELIEVED.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The ‘whoever’ in this verse are the chosen.

I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. But I cannot budge from what I’ve seen in the kingdom of God, and I cannot deny any of it, whether it’s popular or not.

I believe with every fiber of my being that just as God chose the nation of Israel, He also chose the adopted Israel. It depends not on what we will, it depends on what God wills. All who are appointed to eternal life – believe.

Jon David Banks, God’s most unworthy servant

Share this:

Related

Published by Jon David Banks