“For many are called, but few are chosen.” – Matthew 22:14
These are Jesus’ own words! They came from his own mouth, heart, and mind. What did the Lord mean by them? What truly constitutes many? What really constitutes few?
The Bible declares “Whosoever will, may come.” “Whosoever” is truly an all-encompassing group. In reality, then, all humankind is “called” by God to come to Him. But among all those who are called, Jesus says there are few who are chosen.
In Romans 1:19 the Word of God tells you, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.” There is no doubt in this context “them” refers to all mankind. Those who are incapable of sense or receiving communication are exempt and covered by the mercies of a just God. But a few verses later in Romans 2:1 God’s mind is expressed about the result of this revelation of Himself from creation, “Therefore, you have no excuse, O man.”
Man knows in his heart there is a God, and the creation makes such clear. In other words, God is calling all humankind to acknowledge Him as the one Creator. Special revelation, which includes both the Scriptures and the Living Word of God made flesh, gives to us the Gospel. And the Gospel tells us that, “No man comes to God the Father, except through Jesus Christ (God the Son).” (John 14:6) Apparently, then, from Jesus’ own words, only a few come to God the Father through Jesus.
If you love Jesus, the Son of God, you are among those “few” who are blessed beyond all blessing. Peter writes: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” By the practice of your faith you can confirm God’s election, His sure choice of you.
God’s election is sovereign and a truth which is not thoroughly grasped by us. Not one of any human beings knows anything about who exactly God has chosen. But anyone who so desires can by faith insure THEY are one of those who are chosen; by following Peter’s words, you can confirm your own calling and election. If you are presented this choice by God’s Word you cannot honestly object that God is unjust. Anyone who reads and follows Peter’s words can pursue such confirmation of their own calling and election.
Salvation has been described as a door which from the outside has a big sign on it reading, “Whosoever will may come!” Once you have passed through that door and close it you read another sign on the inside of the door: “Chosen from the foundation of the earth.” You can do what you wish with this analogy, just know that you are enabled to pursue the confirmation of your own salvation according to Jesus’ Apostle Peter.
A good friend of mine now in heaven often gave a speech titled “Are there few or many who are saved?” He answered “many!” I do not think he actually compared the exact number of how many are truly saved to eternal life versus how many are not and will not be in heaven. But he did think that there will be many people who become citizens of heaven. He included in that number a forgotten great host of human beings: that is, everyone who had been aborted or died in the womb, or died in infancy. Such is a great, great number.
Whatever you may think of the above, Jesus’ words must be dealt with by you. What he said is clear. What he means by it must be considered without twisting his words to mean the opposite. I think you would be more concerned to insure you are among the “few,” than quibbling about whether Jesus is right or wrong. You can take your chances accusing Jesus of a falsehood. Personally, I do not advise you take such a chance.
Be sure with everything that is in you that you be found among the “few!” Make your calling and election sure by practicing the qualities Peter speaks about in his epistle to prevent yourself from falling. Jude ends his brief epistle with an amazing benediction about keeping you from falling. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”
Your challenge is this: Keep yourself from falling by appealing to Jesus to make the feet of your heart stable, to empower you with His grace, to save you with His blood, to present you before His Father at the great judgment, BLAMELESS!
“See the Judge, our nature wearing, clothed in majesty divine; you who long for His appearing then shall say, ‘This God is mine!’ Gracious Savior, own me in that day as thine!”
(2nd verse of John Newton’s hymn, “Day of Judgment! Day of Wonders!,” 1774)
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