Save Now Ministries

BLOG with Dr. Cliff Sims - The Chosen... Who chooses Who?

Isn’t it interesting when you look at Scripture as to who God chose to do His work (and when we are chosen, we are chosen for a purpose – and we mistakenly think that God chose us just for the purpose of going to heaven – that’s just a fringe benefit. He chose us to work out His will – not ours... while we live on this earth).

Who would have chosen the scrawny David, to be the greatest warrior King in Jewish history?

Who would have chosen David’s great-grandmother – a prostitute (Rahab) to help save the Israeli’s from the people of Jericho?

Who would have chosen Cyrus the Great from Persia, a pagan emperor to be the one to deliver the Jews and their plundered wealth from their exile in Babylonia?

Who would have chosen the obstinate Saul to become Paul from a life dedicated to persecute Christians to actually become one and in doing so, established churches and wrote almost half of the NT?

Principles...  God’s Chosen – (Choosing You)

1. His purposes/His Will/His accomplishments/ His Glory & Separation from the world system/philosophy

Why would He choose you? You see, you don’t choose Him. He desires as to Who He sets apart for His work.

Ephesians 4:1 “I (therefore) the prisoner of the LORD, urge you to walk (live) worthy of the calling (being chosen) you have received.”

Jesus stated in 3 consecutive chapters of John's gospel why He came...

(See John 5:30b, 4:34, & John 6:38)

Did you “choose” God? How did your relationship with God begin? The Scripture is very clear on WHO does the choosing...

We do not “choose” God. He Chooses Us! Let me clarify why this is so and then we will move to the Scripture. (Read John 15:16 – what are we appointed to do?  BEAR FRUIT – John 15:8) Throughout this chapter Jesus explains that it is out of God's love that He chooses us to work in His kingdom and bear fruit for Him!

If we could “choose” God, then we could also “choose” the way God uses us. We could also “choose” what we want to do. We would also overlook many spiritual aspects of our life...because we do the choosing! We would miss the “calling” that God has for us...

God’s Word is clear on this. 

Deuteronomy 7:6-7 "For you are a holy people belonging to the LORD (YHWH) your God. The LORD (YHWH) your God has CHOSEN YOU to be his own possession out of all the peoples of the earth. The LORD had his heart set on you and CHOSE YOU, not because you were more numerous than all peoples, for you were fewest of all peoples. But becase the LORD loved you..."

Paul writes to the Ephesians 1:4 “For He chose us in Him BEFORE the foundation of the world...”

What about “free will?” Good question. Even though God calls us and Jesus chooses us – we can act like the devil (See John 6:70)

Just because we “believe” in our minds doesn’t mean we are following Him. James points out in his letter that “belief” of the mind is not enough... “You believe that God is one (explain). Good! Even the demons believe and tremble!”

You see Jesus chooses whom He wishes to follow Him. Following that call manifests itself through full-scale and full-time obedience.

2. Principle Two – God’s Choice of you will bring Pain, Persecution, and/or Suffering.

Examples include Moses, Job, David, Jesus, Paul (Read Phil.3:8-10)...all of the disciples were martyred except John – who was exiled on the Island of Patmos until his death. In the first and second century it is estimated that more than 100,000 Christians were martyred. This may not seem that remarkable, but considering that there were only around 200,000 Christians worldwide at the end of the second century puts that number into perspective.

Tertullian (the early Latin Church Father 160 AD – 240 BC from Carthage, Africa) “The blood of the martyrs is the seed (of the church).”  Do you know where the fastest growing churches are in the world today? Do you know why?  Blood... Paul said in Philippians 1:27-29... 

If you don’t follow Him, you will follow other things or people or movement or events. These other things we choose to follow lead to separation from God and even death and lack purpose for eternity-

A. W. Tozer said, "It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly, until He has hurt him deeply."

God to Isaiah, “Look, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” (Is. 48:10)

Peter said, "Do not be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes upon you, as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ." - 1 Peter 4:12-13

As I am writing this, I have just received news about the assassination of Charlie Kirk - a strong Christian political activist, as he was about to speak to a crowd of college students in Utah. Charlie Kirk was chosen to be an instrument and God's voice to a young generation. He has paid the ultimate price for his convictions. As Peter said above, those who are chosen by God will suffer in some way or form. 

Instead of retreat, we should sound the clarion call for truth, reason, and justice in the days ahead. Let's not cower when the enemies of God and truth emboldenly attempt to silence the truth. Please pray for his family and his organization.

Cliff