Since I believe the Lord is coming soon I want to share this word with you.
“…many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) The call spoken of here is referred to as the “general call” (or the “external call”), a summons to repentance and FAITH that is FUNDAMENTAL in the gospel message. Jesus is NOT REFERRING AT ALL to THE CALLING OR ELECTION OF SOME TO ETERNAL LIFE. Instead, Jesus is teaching the consistent biblical message that while God desires that ALL PEOPLE WILL SERVE HIM, BUT NOT ALL DO RESPOND, and so God CHOOSES TO WORK WITH THOSE WHO PARTICIPATE WITH HIM in what He is doing in the world.
How do we know this? “God so loved THE WORLD (not “some” of the world but the “whole” world) that HE GAVE His only BEGOTTEN SON, that whoever believes in Him SHOULD NOT PERISH (apollumi: be destroyed) BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. For God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN THE WORLD, but that THE WORLD (not “some” of the world but the “whole” world) through Him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
“…but FEW are chosen.” The phrase describes a situation where MANY PEOPLE are GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY, BUT ONLY A FEW CHOOSE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT. It’s like the example of the 10 virgins, “…the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom…five were wise, and five were foolish. The foolish took their lamps but NO OIL, but the wise TOOK OIL with their lamps…they all slumbered and slept. “And at midnight a cry: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; GO OUT TO MEET HIM!‘ …all the virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out…the wise said ‘No, there WILL NOT BE ENOUGH for us and you; but go and buy for yourselves.” (Matthew 25:1-9) THE OIL REPRESENTS OUR SALVATION EXPERIENCE WITH THE LORD. How do I know that? The five with no oil went out to find some, came back and said, “Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’” (Matthew 25:11-12)
HOW MANY WERE IN THAT GROUP WHO JESUS DID NOT KNOW? HALF OF THEM… SO, WE MUST MAKE SURE WE ARE READY NOW, TELL THE LORD YOU ARE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS AND ASK HIM TO FORGIVE YOU!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham