Many Are Called....

[Catsmeow]

Matthew 22:14 Many are called but few are chosen....

I have never been certain what this verse means...it's always puzzled me.

If people are called, aren't they chosen...and if they're chosen, won't they respond?...

It indicates many are called but only a few are chosen...I really struggle with this verse...

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Catsmeow,

Well, let's look at the "context":

Matthew 22:2-3 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

Matthew 22:8-9 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

So we see that the "called" are those in (Mt. 22:3); and the "chosen" are those in (Mt. 22:9).

Look at:

Jeremiah 7:3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place.

Jeremiah 7:13-15 And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; 14 Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. 15 And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim.

And:

Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

Romans 9:25-27 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. 27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:

Here we see that Israel was CALLED, but did not respond. Whereas the Gentiles were CHOSEN.

Does that help?

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Catsmeow]

Uh, yeah...I think so, DE...I just have to retrain my thinking a little.

I'd always assumed that those called were people who God "wooed" but who rejected His grace.

The "chosen" were those who were (called and chosen both)...wooed and then responding to Him.

So, that's how I was interpretting it.

In this case, you're saying that God called the Jews as His chosen ones but they rejected Him through their idolatry and rebellion and insincerity.

Example: They'd intermarry and defile themselves - eventually becoming like the pagans they married.

Later, through Jesus Christ, He became available to the Gentiles. Now, we are the chosen ones by adoption.

I think that's what I hear you saying.

My problem is this: Our people are no different from the Jews.

Our nation has committed adultery and run off with idols too. Here's how:

1. We've kicked God out of our schools and courthouses

2. We profane His Holy Name without shame ( using His Name in vain)

3. We abort/murder millions of babies at the alter of selfishness

4. We sleep with the temple prostitutes of wealth and prosperity - sometimes in the name of religion and call it WOF

5. We sacrifice even our core Christian principals in order to flatter those offended by the gospel message *(we don't want to be intolerant)

So, how are we any more chosen or any different from our Jewish brothers?

We are siblings by adoption through Jesus Christ but we've betrayed Him just as much as a wayward wife.

[wordsower]

Cats,

The Gentile world as a whole may be unfaithful to God, but they aren't His church. The believers are the Church and we are the righteousness of God, not sinners because of Christ.

If you look at the parable in Luke 14:15-24 You see that those that were invited gave really lame excuses for not going, the first had bought some land and said he had to go and see it. Who buys land without seeing it first? Lame excuse. The second said he bought oxen and was going to test them. Again, who buys something without testing it first? The 3rd said he married a wife and couldn't come--that excuse is a little better, but the point, I believe, is that these were happy in their own circumstance and didn't feel they needed anything else. They were going about their lives "eating and drinking and marrying" and missed the supper concerned in their own affairs. So He sends his servants out to draw in anyone that will come.

Many are called but few are chosen, by their own hearts, I believe. The chosen, it seems, are aware that they have nothing better in thier lives and are honored to attend while the called were proud and didn't realize their need for the invitation--or their need for a Savior, they were depending on their own merits.

[BlindSeeker]

• Re 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are (1) called, and (2) chosen, and (3) faithful.
  
  
  
  • John 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
    

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Mt 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Hope this helps

William

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Catsmeow,

My problem is this: Our people are no different from the Jews.

You are absolutely correct. I look at the history of the Jews as some might refer to "The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire". Historically every people group has risen up to a certain point of corruption and then because of that corruption eventually fell. The early church was very communal, sharing all things and with one goal in mind - spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Over the centuries, there have been wellsprings of life come on the scene, but for the most part, has shown a steady decline, especially as a particular "people group" became affluent and prosperous, they also became decadent and ecumenical which is where we are now.

But as was said, God's Kingdom can ONLY MOVE UPWARD, for ALL THINGS must be placed under Christ's feet. The TRUE Christians may have to live in this world, but we are NOT OF IT. As went the Jews, so will go the Church - they are the example.

So we are NO BETTER than the Jews, and we owe them God's LOVE, even as He has first loved us.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Catsmeow]

DE: I know and I agree. I feel a deep warmth in my soul for the Jewish people. I feel a sense of kinship - of relationship. I call them my brothers.

I know that someday, God's remnant of Jews who will embrace the Messiah are our true brethren. I do concern myself with them and their good.

I still feel confused about the "Called vs chosen" concept. What are we?

Called or chosen?

[wordsower]

Paul was a Jew and then had the damascus road experience and became a part of the Church, so Romans 1 makes me believe that the many are called is everyone and the few are chosen are the ones that accept, that are saved by the blood, or, the church.

Romans 1:1,2 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures......

[Catsmeow]

That makes sense...

Wordsower: I often wonder if I was "chosen"...because when I was little, my God-fearing grandmother *(a Roman Catholic, BTW) was showing hospitality to the parish priest. She was a kind woman and I remember how much she loved Jesus.

Back then, it was still customary to invite clergy over for dinner. My grandma was a great cook!

I was about 3 years old but I remember like it was yesterday - I was coming down the stairs and Father Don was sitting in Grandpa's chair. Grandma was sitting next to him.

She bid me to come to Father Don so he could "bless me"...At that age, I wasn't sure what that meant.

I just remember him annointing me and laying hands on me and praying over me.

Later in life, I was involved in a car accident but was strangely protected from being harmed in it.

Another time I was savagely attacked by a stranger while I slept. While I should have died from my injuries, (he tried to kill me) I survived the attack.

So, I do believe in miracles in this day and age and I do believe in God's special care and protection. I believe He has His hand on my life and is caring and protecting me.

I wonder..am I called? Am I chosen? If chosen, what am I chosen for and why me? Do other people wonder, "Why did God choose to reveal Himself to me?"

[Guest zebulon]

God is saving a "remnant"... he teaches this generation after generation through his prophets, and finally through His Son. A remnant, nonetheless, which will be "an uncountable multitude" in the end, as John sees in the Revelation vision.

Many are called to wedding supper, Jesus points out. But then he shows us an example... the whole nation of Israel was called. But when it came time, they said "I'm busy with other things"... busy with the world, the flesh and the devil. Ego. Wealth. Earthly pursuits. They saw the kingdom in worldly terms... political and social and religious power, personal power, etc. They thought that just by being born a Jew, they had it made, "God's CHOSEN people." Ahh, but they didn't understand WHAT they were 'chosen' FOR. God will do as he will to accomplish His perfect end result. He is the master potter and thing formed will not say to him who formed it "Why have you made me this way?" No man can answer back to God Almighty. He has mercy upon whom he has mercy and hardens whom he so chooses, according to his good pleasure and perfect, infallible will. Though all Israel was called, only a remnant were chosen.

Only 8 persons were aboard the ark.

Has the church learned this lesson? Not very well. All things written aforehand in scripture is set forth as an ensample to us, Paul and Peter delcare. Will the church learn? "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, will he find faith on earth?" Jesus asked.

Many are called, and even move to great lengths and extents in their live as Christians. They will say "Lord, Lord! Did we not cast out devils in your name? And do many miracles in your name? and prophesy in your name?" But he will say to them, "I never knew you." They knew Jesus, but he did not know them... called, but not chosen. He knows the heart of every soul.

Just as the Lord warns, "The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers." Many called, few chosen. We are all his servants, but we do not all do God's will.

Jesus called all the disciples by name. But one of them was a devil. He was not chosen. He was chosen for a task, but not for glory. (john 6:70)

Some go the way of Esau, others the way of Balaam. They do not abide in the Lord. He said "abide in me." We must abide.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 1:10

You have been taught, more than likely, in this age, to have total certainty and no doubt about your standing, but in the first church age, the Apostles admonished believers as above. We must all make our calling and election sure. This voice of warning has been diminshed by apostasy over time.

"For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Romans 11:21. Notice... "if" you continue in his goodness. We must ABIDE.

Fear God, and give him glory!