Many are called, few are Chosen

This week while listening to our senior pastor deliver what seemed to be a confusing message, I believe God spoke to me. I am now faced with a revelation, a confirmation that I cannot ignore.

Understanding the fact our bibles are translations rather than the original word of God, it has become clear to me some verses of God’s word can only be interpreted one way in spite of context. Like the old saying, “sometimes a cigar is just a cigar”.

The passages I am referring to are these:

So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:10-14)

In this passage, Christ told a parable comparing God’s kingdom to a wedding banquet prepared for us. Jesus tells of a man who was invited to the banquet yet did not prepare according to the king, bluntly disrespecting the king. Jesus is precise in telling us we are to obey God’s commands before we can reap rewards in His kingdom. Christ is also clear when saying “few are chosen”. In any context, this means few of us will enter God’s kingdom.

How do we know we will be among the “few” chosen ones? I used to think being saved was enough. I used to agree with doctrines that teach “death bed salvation”. Then God spoke to me as I was reading these verses:

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:16-22)

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21-23)

In these verses, Christ gives specific directions how to enter God’s kingdom. To some He commands to sell everything they own and follow Him. To others, He calls them liars and tells them they are in danger of falling short of heaven. A few are told they can be complete if they obey God’s word while the rest are ignored as evildoers.

The bible is filled with scripture which clearly spells out disaster for those who do not obey the Lord. It also features many promises for those who walk in Jesus’ footsteps.

One important question remains: How much obeying are we talking about? The bible answers this question in this verse:

We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, I know him, but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:3-6)

This verse spells out what we are to do and whom we need to be to enter God’s kingdom once our time here is finished. Much like Christ, we are asked to suffer and endure incredible pain so to glorify our Father’s plan. Anything short of this is unacceptable and a defiance of God’s commands. Walking as Jesus involved complete surrender. Along with complete surrender comes complete live and, eternal life in God’s kingdom.

Are you not completely walking in Jesus’ footsteps? I for once know I am not. This gravely troubles me. We are then faced with two choices: To continue disobeying God’s commands and ignore His truth or, choose to follow Christ by putting God first, ignoring the things of this world and setting our goal higher the the world’s highest peak.

How difficult is this to achieve? It’s near impossible! This is why “few” will be chosen… It’s really up to us. We were all born into sin but were cleansed of our sin through our faith in Jesus Christ who died for us on the cross. However to be among the few chosen ones, we must not continue feeding our sinful nature. Instead we must do whatever God commands us to do. Only then, though faith and complete obedience, we are promised eternal life.

Let’s pray!

Father God;
We thank you Lord Father for your blessings in our lives
We praise you God for looking over us,
Each and every single day you walk among us
Keeping us safe, sound, fed, warm, and healthy.

Father we pray you will strengthen and enlighten us
Inspiring us to become more like you in complete obedience,
And allow those not yet walking into your light
To join the body and be blessed with passage to eternal life.

Lord we ask you to continue to look after our families,
Our friends, and all those who seek you,
That you answer our prayers and lead our footsteps
So that we may follow you to Heaven.

Thank you lord father for all that surrounds us!

Praise God,
Amen!

This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
Email: DanielStPierre@ThriveThroughChrist.com

Posted in Bible Studies.

Daniel St.Pierre