Matthew 22:14 "For many are called, but few are chosen".
The process of God's calling and choosing us is a sorting that begins with a miracle from God.Jesus said "no one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him".It is a remarkable testimony to the mighty power of God that he can still reach us in spite of satan's influences,our flawed human nature and the pulls of this present evil world.God issues the invitation, he draws our hearts toward Him. He grants us the desire to learn His ways, to submit our wills to Him.But our natural inclination is to resist submitting to his laws,so yeilding our will to God is truly a miracle,"For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure"(phil.2:13).
Jesus uses the parable of the sower and the seed to illustrate people's varied responses to the gospel.In the parable all hear the truth of God's word preached.But only those whom God calls grasp the truth and understand it.People respond differently to the message.First Jesus explains the response of those who are not yet being called,they do not grasp what they hear" when anyone hears the word,and does not understand it,then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.This is the one who received seed by the wayside.Such people never comprehend the message and its significance. But he who receives the seed on stony places, this person's first responce is joyful acceptance, but he quickly retreats.He backs off because of pressure from other people, he cares more about what others think than what God thinks.He is afraid of rocking the boat,the tribulations, or persecution, he experiences from trying to live God's way of life makes him stumble,so rejects the calling of God. Now he who receives the seed among the thorns is not concerned about the opinions of his friends,his problem is selfishness.Acquiring things, possessions consume all his time and energy and he has no time for God, so he too rejects God.
But the chosen recieves the seed on good ground,he understands it and bears fruit and produces.This person understands God's word and takes it seriously, he puts it into practice,he changes his life! This person was chosen for salvation,he put God first in his life.Many are called, many receive the opportunity for God to work in them"to will and to do for his good pleasure". But only few respond. Those few truly repent and surrender their will to God, making a commitment to obey God's commandments.Those who respond to God's calling are chosen by God because they choose to serve and obey God and put him first.Have you answered the call?
When a farmer plants vegetables in his garden all on the same day, they don't all spring up at the same time but they are all still his vegetables in his garden.Even those who have yet to accept God's calling still belong to God ,so let us not give up on them , but continue to plant the seeds
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