Many Are Called but Few Are Chosen - Part 1

 

This week, Michael writes: In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus said, “Everyone who says Lord, Lord will not enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Not everyone that said unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in your name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.”

Many are called but few are chosen. Many say they believe but do not follow through with actions that agree with their vows. Why? In Matthew 13:18-22 Jesus explained to His disciples and us, “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.

 

The Holy Scripture says that all men and women are liars. Nobody is perfect. We have all spoken words that we cannot keep. God alone is faithful to His word. According to Numbers 23:19, God is not a man that He should lie, nor the Son of Man that He should repent. God alone is righteous. All men have sinned and come short of the glory of God. The words of Jesus on the Sermon on the Mount are contrary to the world’s perception of “truth” (Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been, or shall be). John 17:17 says, ‘Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth”. To do truth, is to practice what God commands. Following after Christ is not the difficult way ... it’s the impossible way when we rely on our own power. However, as the Apostle Paul said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  

According to Hebrews 12:14, Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. There is no peace with God without Jesus Christ, the prince of peace. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Without the righteousness of Christ, we cannot stand in the presence of God who is holy and righteous. When you call a someone a “man of God or woman of God,” most people will look down. When you ask a person why they’ll say, “because I feel unworthy.” In our own fallen flesh dwells no good thing. If we’re looking at the fallen nature we inherited from Adam, then we will be ashamed in the presence of God who is holy, just and pure. However, for us who have been born-again of God’s seed, Jesus Christ who was without sin became the perfect sacrifice for sin on our behalf, that we may be made the righteousness of God in Him.

Let's continue Michael's message