Chosen

I’m not big on “favorite scriptures”, since all of the Word is inspired and profitable (II Timothy 3:16.) Still, I guess everyone has certain ones that come to mind more than others. One of those, for me, is Ephesians 1:4, a verse I lean heavily on. In fact, when I’m tired, which is pretty often, or stressed (who isn’t?) this one pumps me up beautifully.

According as He has chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.

I love breaking this down.

“According as He has chosen us in Him —”

Chosen. Now there’s a word some of us aren’t familiar with. Maybe you’re used to being chosen. Maybe you were one of the guys or girls we envied in high school, part of the “in” crowd, good looking, or talented, or blessed with a great personality. If so, then you know what it’s like to be seen, evaluated and wanted, and that’s great.

But that’s not everyone’s story. Some of us know more what it’s like to be tolerated than chosen.

Chosen is what happens when the two captains of the basketball teams are told to choose who they want playing for them. The rest of the guys are standing in a line and the captains call the names of the ones they want. Those guys were chosen. Then the leftovers are, well, leftover, standing there waiting because someone has to take them. So when the two team captains have chosen everyone they want, now they’re tossing a coin to see who gets stuck with Dallas. Funny now, but it wasn’t then. That’s definitely not being chosen.

Yet Jesus said “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (John 15:16) Incredible. Me choosing Him? No brainer. But Him choosing me? Amazing grace. He has chosen us in Him, a single thought that can change and make your day; your life, really.

“Before the foundation of the world —”

Oh, it just keeps getting better. Not only were you were seen, named, loved and chosen, but it all happened before the foundation of the world, before this world existed. God who’s omniscient – all knowing – glanced across the vistas of countless centuries and saw you, as you were, and are, and will be. And with full knowledge of every up and down your life would take, every right or stupid decision you’d make, He said “Yes” to you.

I’m flat out staggered when I realize that the divine “Yes” came eons before I physically arrived here, guiding the events of my life, the protections I didn’t deserve when I was so lost, and the steps leading to the moment I would in turn say “Yes” to Him after He’d first said the same to me.

That’s a confidence builder. Big time.

“— that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love.”

Holy and without blame means, among other things, set apart. You and I were set apart in His sight before creation. But then came the time/space moment of setting apart when we passed from death to life, when we heard the gospel and received His promise through faith. We became believers, born again and made alive. Then, throughout this life, there’s also the ongoing setting apart – the fruit bearing, the correction, the sanctification process. So every new level of holiness you’re brought into, every unclean habit discarded, every carnal immature tendency corrected, is you fulfilling your destiny. “Holy and without blame, in love” is our goal post, never moved, though never fully arrived at in this life, and always strived for. By us, and, more importantly, by Him.

I’ll think about that this weekend. I hope you’ll join me. Have a great one, and thanks for being here.