Many misunderstand what it means to be chosen or elected by God. They confuse those terms with salvation, but they actually refer to a call to service. For example, in Isaiah 42:1 we read, “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen one, and I am pleased with him. I have put my Spirit upon him. He will reveal justice to the nations … He will bring full justice to all who have been wronged. He will not stop until truth and righteousness prevail throughout the earth.” New Testament biblical scholars agree this verse refers to the Messiah–Jesus Christ. Though the Lord calls Him “my chosen one,” He did not require regeneration or salvation, because He never sinned. Peter said, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22, New International Version). Jesus Himself said to His accusers, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” (John 8:46). Though sinless, and not in need of salvation, the Bible still terms Him as God’s elect, or chosen one. This is because He was selected for a specific purpose–to make a blood atonement necessary for the redemption of the human race. Israel was also called God’s “chosen one,” selected “so all the world from the east to west will know there is no other God” (Isaiah 45:4, 5). Scripture terms Gentile believers as “God’s elect,” chosen to live lives different than their past ones as a witness of the power of God’s Spirit to regenerate all humanity (1 Peter 1:1, 2).

But not all who are chosen, or elected, will necessarily be cooperative in doing God’s will. Speaking to His disciples, “Jesus said, ‘I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.’ He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would betray him” (John 6:70). In His parable of the wedding feast, Jesus said, “For many are invited, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14, Christian Standard Bible) Perhaps this verse could read, “Many are called by God for service, but few choose to obey the calling.” Consider the rich young ruler. When reading his story in Luke 18:18-29, we are tempted to think that he turned away from eternal life and was lost. But Scripture doesn’t say he went away lost, but that he became “sad.” He passed on an opportunity to be not just a spiritual follower of Christ, but to walk with Him in person. Think of all the life experiences he passed up! It appears in his spirit he had an interest in Christ’s kingdom, but his flesh was weak, because he loved his earthly possessions more than the things of God. As a result, he missed a divine opportunity to experience what God wanted for him in exchange for a status quo life of earthliness.

The point trying to be made in this chapter is that if we really desire to know it, the Lord promises to reveal what His will is for our lives, or why He chose us. It will then be up to us to decide whether or not we want to cooperate with the purpose of His calling.