Matt 22:14
"For many are called, but few are chosen."
Well the Bible says what it says... the word Few, well it means FEW... Perhaps we should take the verse at face value, I hope that is not too simplistic for you. Indeed I have often found the Bible to be concise and written with an immeasurable amount of reasonableness... Insight into the basis for GOD's wisdom presented in the Bible, does substantiate this position, note the following verse...
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity.
Understanding the Bible is not necessarily a result of hours upon hours of endless study.. , although study is good. And our Lord tells us to study to show ourselves approved... We should know what we are talking about..
The key to understanding the Bible is this, we do not study alone..
John 14:26
"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
A teacher's job is to transfer both knowledge AND understanding..
Anyone who says we all have different interpretations of the BIBLE is in error, there is only ONE... and that interpretation is provided ONLY by GOD HIMSELF...
2 Pet 1:20
[Yet] first [you must] understand this, that no prophecy of Scripture is [a matter] of any personal or private or special interpretation (loosening, solving).
2 Pet 1:21
For no prophecy ever originated because some man willed it [to do so--it never came by human impulse], but men spoke from God who were borne along (moved and impelled) by the Holy Spirit
Now, I said all this so that I might build a foundation for how I feel lead to talk about the subject verse. Matt 22:14
And, the best way to bring open our understanding of the Bible is with the Bible..
When GOD says chosen what is HE saying again.. Here are a few verses to meditate on.. I suggest you clear your mind from any past presumptuous regarding choice, it will help.
Acts 9:15
But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the descendants of Israel;
Acts 9:16
For I will make clear to him how much he will be afflicted and must endure and suffer for My name's sake.
Paul was the enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ, yet GOD chose HIM, Like all of us, in spite of what we might think, We did NOT chose GOD, GOD chose us and therefore we have no pretense or basis for boasting.
I would have to make the point here that this goes against most theology, the theology that suggest, we are unilaterally making the decision for Christ... let me present more scripture that will challenge you.. and hopefully cause you to seek the LORD even more..
Rom 9:10
And not only that, but this too: Rebecca conceived [two sons under exactly the same circumstances] by our forefather Isaac,
Rom 9:11
And the children were yet unborn and had so far done nothing either good or evil. Even so, in order further to carry out God's purpose of selection (election, choice), which depends not on works or what men can do, but on Him Who calls [them
Wait a minute, is not this unfair!!! How can GOD chose one person over another, Have we not read GOD is NOT a respecter of persons..!! What is going on here... Again the Bible explains the Bible.. lets see what scripture might bring out some clarity for us here.
Rom 9:14
What shall we conclude then? Is there injustice upon God's part? Certainly not!
Rom 9:15
For He says to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity) on whom I will have compassion. [Exod. 33:19.]
Rom 9:16
So then [God's gift] is not a question of human will and human effort, but of God's mercy. [It depends not on one's own willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God's having mercy on him.]
Wow, are you reading this!!! is your mind doing flips saying.. what about free will!!! I know I had trouble with this until I read and prayed more on the subject.. Some of us will just dismiss this and use our own flawed reasoning to explain this away... BIG mistake of course... The battleground is largely in the mind..
2 Cor 10:4
For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
2 Cor 10:5
[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),
When we see a conflict between what GOD says in HIS Bible and what we actually think , warfare begins...
Consider this verse as we engage in the warfare of reasoning...
Ps 139:16
Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them
I really understand now how David felt when He was lead ny the Holy Spirit to write this verse:
Ps 139:6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.
Ok, so HOW do we win this battle !!!
Jer 23:29
"Is not My word like fire?" declares the LORD, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?
Here is some additional fire:
John 15:16
You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.
Eph 1:11
In Him we also were made [God's] heritage (portion) and we obtained an inheritance; for we had been foreordained (chosen and appointed beforehand) in accordance with His purpose, Who works out everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His [own] will,
I would like to make a another point.., We all have dreams ambitions, goals and many other things we give to our LORD for fulfillment... yet none of those prayers are answered unless .. yes they line up with GOD's purpose and HIS will...
Again the Bible explains the Bible, consider this verse for clarity
Rom 8:26
So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
Rom 8:27
And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will
If we pray for something that is NOT GOD's will GOD's own Spirit will transform our prayers to be in line with GOD's will, purpose and intent.. The GOOD News is... He is blessing us above all we will ever be able to ask for or even think...
Jer 29:11
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome
ummmhummmmm, My conclusion rest with this thought. , GOD does the choosing, that way no one can say I did this or I did that , and that's why I am sooo Spiritual and I sit close to GOD .. No ONE will boast before the LORD... and if we are chosen by GOD, dare not get the big head because just like He chose you, He can un chose you.... Again against popular Theology.. READ THE BOOK!!
Rom 11:21
for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
Rom 11:22
Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God's kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
1 Cor 1:27
[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame.
1 Cor 1:28
And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are,
1 Cor 1:29
So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.
