Chosen


	
Joh 15:16  "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, 

	fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he 

	gives you. (The Message)


	To be chosen is such an honorable thing. There is a whole trend in television 

programs towards creating a great deal of drama and suspense over who will be chosen to 

remain through some contest or situation and get the prize for being the only remaining 

individual, the last one standing. They're almost like a popularity contest. Through 

experiencing whatever the people have to give, whether it be a great personality or special 

talent, we develop an opinion about who is the most likable or talented and who is the one 

that should rise above the rest. Much to-do is made over the ultimate chosen one as he is 

honored and provided with gifts and prizes. 

	Our lives can almost appear to be a great big survival contest in themselves as we 

experience what it is like to be chosen or rejected in so many phases of our existence. We are 

chosen first or last or somewhere in between for the games at school. We are chosen to get 

the job, the spouse, the friendship, invitation, etc. that will determine our course in life. It's 

possible to develop a very bad self image if, after consistent failure to be chosen we begin to 

take it personal and conclude that we just don't have what it takes. While many of these 

choices are beyond our control, there are certain very important ones for which we have a 

great deal to do with determining whether or not we will be chosen. Our decision to comply 

or not with certain criteria at every juncture we come to in life will qualify us to be the 

logical choice for a specific role or position at some point in our future. Deciding to do what 

it takes to develop physical strength and athletic skills is what will make us stand out as the 

best choice for the team. Deciding to practice instead of playing or watching tv will make 

possible the development of a musical talent that will qualify us for the band or choir. 

Choosing to study and complete requirements of a curriculum will directly effect whether or 

not we will be chosen for the place of scholastic honor upon graduation. Developing physical 

hygiene through consistently choosing to bathe and care for the body will be a great 

determining factor in the choice of that special someone to give in to your woos. So, while it 

is being decided by someone else if we will indeed be chosen, our consistent choices 

throughout our lives leading up to this moment are the real choices that determine whether 

or not we will be the "chosen one".  


Joh 15:14  You are my friends when you do the things I command you. 


	Jesus has chosen us to a place in Him where we will be productive in His kingdom 

according to verse 16. But, the 14th verse is where our choice determines His choice. It always 

seemed unfair to me that God would choose some and leave others out altogether, but it can be 

seen here that our choice in heeding His command and obeying His voice is what qualifies us in 

His choice. It's not that He desires any more for one than another, He is just bound in His 

choice to the choice we make. 


Mat 22:10  So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as 

	they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 

Mat 22:11  And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a 

	wedding garment: 

Mat 22:12  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding 

	garment? And he was speechless. 

Mat 22:13  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and 

	cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 

Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen. 


	The invitation had been given and it was desired that all would come to the wedding 

feast, but there was a requirement in attending the occasion. For this man, who arrived in 

something other than the appropriate wedding garments, the choice of whether or not he would 

remain was made in his choice of clothing. Little did he know how critical this simple choice 

would be, not just in his staying at the feast but in his ultimate punishment. So, everyone was 

called or desired, but only the ones that made the right choices would be among the few that 

were chosen. 

	There is for us a daily and moment by moment choice of wearing a garment of praise and 

allowing ourselves to be clothed in garments of righteousness or wearing worldly garments that 

are inappropriate for the occasion of His presence. The prize of an abundant life of pleasures in 

Him is very appealing to everyone and, in fact, it is available to all. God desires it so much for us 

that He's done everything He can to call us to it in Christ. However, everyone will not be 

numbered among the ones He chooses. Only those whose continual choice is a life of worship and 

devotion to Him will be His few chosen ones. In our choice of Him we become His choice.  


Exo 19:5  If you will listen obediently to what I say and keep my covenant, out of all peoples 

	you'll be my special treasure. The whole Earth is mine to choose from, 

Exo 19:6  but you're special: a kingdom of priests, a holy nation.' 




									


3/18/04