God chose you before you chose Him. Jesus said, “You have not chosen Me but I have chosen you.” Before there was a planet called Earth, before there was a garden called Eden, before there was a man named Adam and a woman named Eve, God decided in the counsels of eternity to choose you. And to choose me. But, why would God choose us? And what goodness or merit did He see in us that He would choose us to be His children?
Practical Principles
- God predestined you to be adopted into His family. God wants you to walk in fellowship, relationship, and friendship with Him. Romans 8:15 says, “You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received the spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba Father’” (nasb). This is something God lovingly does for us. He adopts us.
- God predestined you to be holy and without blame. This is the outgrowth of your relationship with God. “Holy” speaks of your inward purity. “Without blame” speaks of your outward condition of purity. He wants you to have a pure heart. He wants you to be pure in your actions.
- God chose us that we might become more and more like Jesus every day. Everyone knows Romans 8:28, but they forget that after Romans 8:28 is Romans 8:29. That is the whole story. Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God.” Verse 29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son” (nkjv).
- God chose us that we might bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and I appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give to you” (nkjv).
Relevant Reminders
- God’s heavenly bank has no limitations or restrictions so you don’t have to be spiritually deprived, depleted, or defeated. His heavenly resources are more than adequate to cover your past debts, your present liabilities, and your future needs.
- God’s end game with you is to make you like Jesus, not to make you happy. It’s to make you holy.
- You don’t have to long for the approval of God. You have the approval of God; the Bible says so. You are not merely forgiven, justified, and cleansed of your sins; you have been received and loved by God Himself.
Applicable Actions
God chose us and it is a great thing. Maybe you are wondering, “How do I know if I am chosen? The answer is very simple: believe in Jesus Christ and you just proved you are chosen. Don’t believe in Jesus Christ and I guess you weren’t. There is God’s grace. But it can be resisted. There is God’s offer of forgiveness. But it can be turned away. The ball is in your court. You cast the deciding vote.
