By Not Known
Christ came at Christmas time because God’s response to human sin was to save rather than to judge (Jn 3:17). This is a remarkable love and it is totally undeserved.
However, the love of God GOES further than his choice to save and to send Jesus as Saviour. God also chose whom to save.
Consider these words:
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world (Eph 1:4).
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ (Eph 1:5).
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will(Eph 1:11).
The meaning of chose and predestined is clear in the context. God’s love meant a choice of those who are to be saved, long before we were on the scene.
The Bible’s teaching on predestination puzzles many, for it is hard and mysterious. Our puzzles are real and it is good that we continue to work at them, rather than take an easy solution or ignore the matter.
However, when we put predestination in the context of God’s love, it is a teaching full of beauty and comfort. God left nothing to chance in your salvation. He did not just send Christ and hope that one day you would believe in him. No – such was his desire to save that he also chose whom to save, one by one. In this sense. God’s choice to save Abraham is continued and repeated many times over.
Ask yourself this: would you have ever chosen to believe in Jesus had God not called you to faith? Our answer is: ‘No‘. Our choice to believe is a real act of our will. But, as Rom 8:29-30 makes clear. God’s choice to save someone is also followed by his call to that person to believe. We choose to believe because God calls us and we are called because God predestined us.
Lord, I am astounded that Jesus came to save me, and many others, because you chose to save and whom to save. There is nothing in me that would make you choose me. I thank you and admire you for the sheer love that led you to choose me. Please help me to walk worthy of your choice. I offer myself to be used by you in helping others whom you have also chosen to hear and believe.