To God’s elect…
If you live in a place where there are elections, you might think that being one of God’s “elect” has something to do with being chosen. Looked at in a certain light, you would not be far off. Some people like to make a fuss over the idea that some are chosen and others are not, but it is not that simple. We all come into this world the same way by birth. We all leave through the same door; death. The problem with being human is that we cannot “see” things the same way that God sees them.
When a human being looks towards God, all we see is the sky. Unless, of course, we look through the eyes of the heart. When we look around us our vision is limited by tree and fence, house and hill, and ultimately the horizon. When we look at each other we see faces and expressions, clothing, and actions. Beyond that, we are limited in what we can know.
God looks from his place in heaven and there are no limits to his vision. He sees everything. He knows everything. When he looks at you and me he sees more than the outside, he sees the inside, too. He knows, without question, what is in our hearts and mind. Yet there is something more. In addition to all of this, God also sees the beginning and the end. He knows us before we are born and he knows where end. Where we see a moment in time, God sees all time all at once. (Revelation 1:8; Psalm 139: 13; Psalm 90: 4; 2 Peter 3: 8)
When the Bible uses the word “elect” to refer to us humans[1] it is not in the sense that we are chosen for some quality that God admires. Instead, it is because God knows the heart, he knows our beginning, and he knows our end. He knows who are his and who are not his. To us, it may seem like we are chosen. To God, it is a matter of knowing who are his. (John 10:14)
Application: Accept that God knows more than we do. It’s okay. Really.
Food for Thought: How can the idea that we are “chosen” by God lead to arrogance?
[1] Some versions of the NIV use the word “elect” and some do not. Some translations use, “strangers,” “chosen,” and one uses “pilgrims.”
Pride leading to arrogance is a human response to being called out or honored for any reason, a trap.
Proverbs 18:12, Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
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Ephesians 2:8, saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.
Romans 12:3, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
Matthew 16:17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
Ron,
Great summary! You put your finger on the right word, “trap.” When we argue out of a certainty in our own reasoning instead of from a position of humility before God, we are standing on pride. Preaching is a precarious business.
I agree with Ron. It can be a trap. God has chosen us by grace, but we can quickly transform that into thinking we had some inherent merit in that choice. We should learn from the nation of Israel that it is all God and not us.
Deuteronomy 7: 7: The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
Deuteronomy 8: 11 – 18: Be careful that you don’t forget the Lord your God. Don’t fail to obey his commands, rules, and laws that I’m giving you today. 12 You will eat all you want. You will build nice houses and live in them. 13 Your herds and flocks, silver and gold, and everything else you have will increase. 14 When this happens, be careful that you don’t become arrogant and forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of slavery in Egypt. 15 He was the one who led you through that vast and dangerous desert—a thirsty and arid land, with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He was the one who made water come out of solid rock for you. 16 He was the one who fed you in the desert with manna, which your ancestors had never seen. He did this in order to humble you and test you. But he also did this so that things would go well for you in the end. 17 You may say to yourselves, “I became wealthy because of my own ability and strength.” 18 But remember the Lord your God is the one who makes you wealthy. He’s confirming the promise which he swore to your ancestors. It’s still in effect today.
Great Scripture Rich. He, He, He…….Not us, us, us.
👍🏻