“even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:4a ESV
Reflection: why has God chosen some and not all?
Every year, many sports teams have a tryout period before the season starts, so that they can pick the best players for their teams. This happens therefore before they play any competitive games that count towards a seasonal standing. And, of course, the higher the standing or ranking, the more money is involved from sponsors and fans. So, it is important for each team to select the right, the best players. And, from a player perspective, this time also gives them an opportunity to show what they can do, what they have trained hard for. And this general idea of a “tryout period” is also used by some companies, where a new employee has a “probational” period. The job could be theirs, depending on how they do for a period of time. It protects the employer, and gives the new employee a chance to “prove” themselves. We have many examples around us of similar “election” process of people. We elect people all the time. In politics, for jobs as we looked at. But even friends we choose, and certainly we choose a marriage partner. We don’t just pick anyone, we are very selective and choose very specifically someone we love, and that love us back.
Yet, the idea of choosing, of election by God is a very difficult concept for us. In a way we think that God, who is love, therefore loves all, loves everything, so nothing really matters. But as we see in our focus verse today, God absolutely has an election methodology. In fact, it says that He has already chosen His people. And, His decision was made long ago. Paul writes “he chose us in him before the foundation of the world”. These are such difficult concepts to wrap our minds around; first the election, secondly the timeline, and finally the purpose. So let’s dwell on these thoughts, these concepts today.
The first being the concept of election. Does God “play favorites”? Are there some He loves, He favors more than others? Again, as we pick our spouse, we don’t just close our eyes and pick anyone, as long as they are breathing, right? So why wouldn’t God do the same? James wrote “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?” James 2:5 ESV. If we think about David from the Old Testament, he wasn’t chosen by God because he was the mightiest among men, and most influential. He was a lowly shepherd boy, but he loved God as we can see through his many psalms. And, if we think about the disciples of Jesus, he says that “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” John 15:16 ESV. The election of the twelve was His choice.
Which brings up the idea of free will. Even for the elect, for those who respond to His calling and follow Him, there is still a choice to be made. We also read “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”” John 6:66-70 ESV. Judas was one of the chosen twelve, was given all the same privilege as the other eleven; yet he chose to betray Jesus. And, we see this exact thing illustrated again and again with the Israelites. Although God had chosen them, many rejected Him. And we can see the same pattern in life, given the same great opportunity, some will accept it while others reject it.
The second concept is around the timeline, as Paul states God’s election happened long ago. He doesn’t need a “preseason tryout” to know Man’s heart. He already knows. And He desires, He longs for us to come to the full knowledge of truth which will lead us to a relationship with and worship of God through Jesus. And the fact that you are still reading this, is the Spirit of God speaking to you. Which brings us to the final point of purpose. His desire for you is life; eternal life with Him. But it is so much more. We get an insight here into one of the eternal purposes of God, of His creation, as Paul writes “that we should be holy and blameless before him.” Ephesians 1:4ab ESV. This is the whole point, that we can in Christ have a worthy presence before God; now and forever, as His sons and daughters. To be made in the likeness of Christ. “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30 ESV
It is nothing that we have done, nor deserve. It is what Jesus Christ has done and God the Father has chosen. The only thing we can do is to respond.
