Jesus said in Matthew 22: 14 many are called, but few are chosen. Many are called because of the expanse of the work. Jesus said in Matthew 9: 37; Luke 10: 2, the harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Not every labourer is chosen but all the people chosen are labourers in God’s vineyard. The chosen are given special assignments to perform for God. Paul was chosen in Acts 9: 3-6, 16 just as Matthias who replaced Judas in Acts 1: 23-26.
God chooses people for his special assignments without making them superior to others. Revelation 22: 12 says everyone (labourer or chosen) will be rewarded according to his work. Only God does the choosing and cannot be influenced except by grace. Deuteronomy 10: 17 says for the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords,… and takes no bribe. Peter told Simon the magician in Acts 8: 8-20, may your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain God’s gift with money.
All God’s chosen people have identical traits though each may have one or more dominant traits. We pray that the Holy Spirit will examine our lives and choose us for God’s purpose in Christ Jesus as we discuss the traits which God’s chosen had in common so we may grow in Christ Jesus.
They had teachable spirits
Generally, all who were chosen in biblical times were submissive to the teaching of the Holy Spirit. It differs from formal education which is the doctrine of man though good by human standards. Christ is the teacher, the greatest Rabbi and works by his Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14: 26 but the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Paul was educated but Peter was a fisherman but Jesus chose both. Romans 2: 11 says God shows no partiality. God’s choice is reserved to only him.
They had trust and faith in God
Abraham trusted God in all circumstances. In Genesis 12: 1 the LORD said to Abram, go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. Abram vacated all the possible places of comfort to an unknown place still trusting God through God’s promises to make him a great nation and to protect him had no future guarantee. In Genesis 22: 2-13 Abram also accepted to sacrifice his only son Isaac at God’s request. Do we trust God’s word of life?
They were selfless patriots
No one wants to die for God’s people anymore. However, David showed a spirit of patriotism, care and sacrifice. When Goliath, called the champion, threatened Israel with annihilation, the shepherd boy David volunteered to save his nation and to protect God’s name. In 1 Samuel 17: 32, David said to Saul, let no one’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with the Philistine. In spite of opposition David fought and won for God and nation based on the skills and limited experience he had in that nature of war. Everyone can be patriotic in a special way to heal his nation.
They were humble in spirit
In the absence of humility, pride consumes. Samuel is a perfect example of humility. He had no bed or house, yet served God with delight. 1 Samuel 3: 3-10 writes that he ministered to the LORD under Eli, he lay down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Isaiah 57: 15 says… I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite. Humility in God’s service must not be predicated on what we have or hope to get but the love for God and a heart to serve.
They showed leadership
The people of Israel were and still are a very stubborn people just as many of us are. God said of Israel in Deuteronomy 9: 13; Jeremiah 5: 23, I have seen that this person is indeed a stubborn people. They were a confused and impatient people. Moses had the trait to lead a stubborn, rebellious, impatient and confused people under distraction of evil and doom. He showed tolerance and patience upon their incessant and baseless complaints, consulted God when he was insufficient, intercede in prayers for his people always, and was committed to his mission to bring them to the promised land. Do we show such traits in our corners where God has made us leaders for his purpose?
They showed boldness
The call to follow Jesus is primarily a call to spiritual battle so Gods’ chosen were to be bold in battle. Some of us chicken out in battle though we have the Lord on our side. The report from those sent to spy the land of Canaan said in Numbers 13: 31 we are not able to overcome it. However Caleb and Joshua boldly confronted the lies and said in Numbers 14: 7-8,… the land that we went through as spies is exceedingly good land,…. a land that flows with milk and honey. The people then threatened to stone them, Numbers 14: 10. Are we ready to stand for the truth even at the peril of our lives?
They showed resilience
God chosen people fulfilled their tasks against all odds. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 11: 25-28, three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger from the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food cold and naked. And besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches. They never gave up. Will we give up in times of trials?
They were loyal to God
Jesus asked Peter three times in John 21: 15, 17; 18:27 do you love me more than these? When Peter answered yes in all instances, Jesus said feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep respectively. Jesus knew Peter’s loyalty from his heart. He denied knowing Jesus at the cock crow but he repented with zeal till death. Coupled with his knowledge of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus said in Matthew 16: 18 I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. Based on loyalty, Peter said in Acts 5:29 we must obey God rather than any human authority. They were loyal because they loved and appreciated God. Are we loyal to our Maker?
God wants to choose us for his purpose if we are ready in heart. Are we ready to work and to die for him? The prophets did, the apostles did, Paul did, and Jesus did for us. It is our turn to work for Jesus.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we are ready to work for you however the costs. Make us worthy of our stewardship by your Spirit. Give us the spirit of boldness and faith. Increase our faith and love for you. Humble us with teachable spirits to learn of you in your holy name, Amen!!
