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Called - Not Chosen! By Pastor Bill Taylor A publication of My Father's House, inc. Volume 6//Issue 9 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.” (Mt20:16) Jesus is saying that many who God originally called haven’t properly answered and will be rejected in favor of others who come later but answer God’s call in a satisfactory way. In many so called “churches” today they think the call itself is salvation whereas the call is an invitation to salvation and must be responded to correctly to attain to salvation. Often Jesus teaches us how the Kingdom of God operates, and who will or won’t be accepted in the Kingdom. And many who are hoping to get into God’s Kingdom are going to be found unacceptable because they haven’t lived up to God’s requirements. Wisdom calls aloud outside; she raises her voice in the open squares. “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?” (Pr1:20,22) Doesn’t wisdom cry out, and understanding lift up her voice? She takes her stand on the top of the high hill, beside the way, where the paths meet. “O you simple ones, understand prudence, and you fools, be of an understanding heart. Listen, for I’ll speak of excellent things.” (Pr8:1-2,5-6) The call of wisdom is a call to life and those who hate wisdom love death. She (wisdom) is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD; but he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death. (Pr3:18,8:35,36) Wisdom has built her house, she’s hewn out her seven pillars; she’s slaughtered her meat, she’s mixed her wine, she’s also furnished her table. She’s sent out her maidens, she cries out from the highest places of the city, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I’ve mixed. Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.” (Pr9:1-6) How similar is this to Jesus’ parable of the marriage supper, (Mt22:1-14) which ends with “Many are called, but few chosen?” (v14) Because wisdom is calling to everyone, even a fool if he’d repent and answer God’s call would be made wise. So foolishness is actually a lack of response to God’s call. People aren’t born foolish. They aren’t hereditarily foolish. They become foolish because of their wickedness in not responding to God. And even as they didn’t like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which aren’t fitting. (Rom1:28) Foolishness then is a condemnation but there’s hope that no matter how much you lack you can attain to wisdom if you’ll respond to God’s call. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (Jms1:5) And that’s the same as saying no matter what state you’re in you can attain to salvation if you’ll properly answer the call. Jesus is made unto us wisdom. (1Cor1:30) Jesus is calling. If you come to Him you can have wisdom but you must respond. It’s also important to understand that the call doesn’t guarantee those who respond are going to answer properly but the call does guarantee you can answer – the door is open and you can enter if you will. If you answer and how well you answer is up to you. She’s slaughtered her meat, she’s mixed her wine, she’s also furnished her table. She’s sent out her maidens. (Pr9:2,3a) Because wisdom here is personified in the feminine, this wisdom speaks of the church, the bride of Christ and the pillar and ground of the Truth. (1Tim3:15) Her table is set with the rich provisions of God’s Word and Spiritual operations. God doesn’t call you to something He hasn’t already made full provisions to supply you in. So in calling you to His true church He’s already prepared everything you need there. There’s not going to be a call and then, “We have to wait on the Lord while He fixes dinner.” The dinner is ready or He wouldn’t have called. If I tell my children to get to the table it’s because dinner is ready. You don’t call them when you haven’t started cooking! When God calls things are ready. If they weren’t ready He wouldn’t call. So there’s no reason to delay in answering the call. If I call my children to dinner and they delay they’re letting their dinner get cold. So whatever God is calling to the provisions are already there for those who’ll answer. If He’s calling you He’s ready to give you what you need immediately. Answer His call and receive what He’s giving you. Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The Kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they weren’t willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I’ve prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding.”’” (Mt22:1-4) While God was preparing the guests who were first invited must have pretended they’d answer His call when the time would come, but when God actually called they weren’t willing. Here God is teaching that during His time of preparation the guests should be preparing also – so they’d be ready to respond when the actual call came. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you don’t expect. (Mt24:44) But these first “guests” weren’t prepared. When the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, “The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.” (Mt22:7,8) So He invites others. God is going to have His wedding. He’s not going to waste this dinner. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (Rom11:29) God’s not throwing the dinner away. He prepared it and it’s going to be eaten. He’ll find someone to feed it to, but not the first ones invited, who didn’t answer the call. So the first shall be last and the last first. (Mt20:16) But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who didn’t have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there’ll be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt22:11-13) This one has answered the call but in an improper way, so he’s rejected. From this we see the call alone isn’t a guarantee of salvation. The call is God opening a door for you but only if you come in the prescribed way and comply with God’s instructions will you attain to salvation. For example Assuredly, I say to you, unless you’re converted and become as little children, you’ll by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven. (Mt18:3) Assuredly, I say to you, whoever doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. (Mk10:15) To be “saved” you must become as a little child. Merely answering the call doesn’t mean you can attain salvation on your own terms or in some way that’s not measuring up to what God requires of us. God is calling us to many things which are inseparably united to and are needful to accomplish our salvation: things that accompany salvation. (Heb6:9) Another example is we’re called to holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb12:14) To be called to salvation you must also be called to holiness. And if your church doesn’t teach you to be holy, you’ll be rejected in the end even if you seem to have answered the call. But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (1Pt1:15) To properly answer the call to salvation you must also answer the call to be holy! To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called (to be) saints. (1Cor1:2) “To be” isn’t there in the Greek, called saints is to be called holy. The Greek word for saint “hagios” is the same root word translated “holy” so literally the saints are the “Holy!” The call to sainthood is a call to holiness. And the call to holiness is a call to fellowship with God. But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1Pt1:15,16) God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1Cor1:9) We’ve already seen the call to the marriage supper is like a call to wisdom. Jesus is made unto us wisdom. (1Cor1:30) But, James teaches us if we don’t ask for wisdom properly in faith we’ll get nothing! If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he'll receive anything from the Lord. (Jms1:5-7) But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Cor1:23,24) Those who are called have already had their eyes opened else how could they see what they’re being called to. And they’re being called to Christ! Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1Cor1:24b) God opens your eyes as He calls. But those who aren’t being called haven’t had their eyes opened. It’s amazing how the things God has shown us are so easy to see in the scriptures, yet most “churches” have missed them. Job says, “For You’ve hidden their heart from understanding; therefore You won’t exalt them.” (Job17:4) God doesn’t “cast His pearls before swine.” And too many “churches” today aren’t seeking God with such a heart that He’s willing to open Himself up to them. They’re playing religious games so God doesn’t let them see because if their heart is proud, avaricious, or mercenary and they were to see God’s Truths they’d make merchandise of them; they’d use them to serve their selfish aspirations whereas God has been protecting these Truths and keeping them for those who are pure of heart who’ll use them for the glory of God and the good of the saints. (1Cor1:6,7a) God’s gifts are given to be used for the benefit of all the brethren. (1Cor12:7,1Pt4:10) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You’ve hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.” (Lk10:21) To those “babes” who’ll use what God gives them to help the saints instead of for selfish purposes there’s a reward. (Gal 6:7,8) God blinds the eyes of the superficial, worldly or lukewarm “believers” to many things He makes obvious to the “babes.” He won’t let them see because they don’t have a heart to seek Him and serve Him, or build up His church. They wouldn’t use His gifts for His glory but for their own. If men don’t have a heart that really wants to know the Truth for the right reasons, why should God give it to them? Why shouldn’t He keep His pearls for the people who do love Him and do desire to glorify Him and to promote His Kingdom? It’s a very great blessing if God shares His Truths with you! Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see. (Lk10:23) The fact that God’s willing to share such things with us means He has a very much greater affection for us than for most people who call themselves “christians” because what we see is only what God lets us see. And it’s given to those who are blessed of God to see these things but it’s not given to others. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear. (Mt13:16) To those who are called Jesus is the wisdom of God and the power of God (1Cor1:24) but to those who aren’t called the things concerning Jesus are just foolishness to them. (v18) Their eyes can’t see the Truth. God wants everyone to be saved but they must come with a humble heart. He isn’t going to open things up to people whose hearts aren’t right. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (2Cor3:16) You see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. (1Cor1:26,27) It’s of God’s wisdom that He doesn’t call proud people for to share the secrets of God with them would only puff them up the more. They already think they’re so smart! So God has chosen to reserve His secrets for those who have humility. And not many in high places have humility – so not many of those are called. But when God’s wisdom and glory are poured out on an otherwise inconspicuous people, then everyone can see the glory has to go to God. Then everybody knows that it isn’t because these people are smart or educated, but because God is in them. (Act4:13) God is pouring His grace out on the lowly and He chooses to do it in that way to humble the proud and that’s His wisdom. But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister isn’t under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace. (1Cor7:15) God hasn’t given us such commandments as would require us to fight with those who disagree with us. Being called to peace means if the unbeliever wants to depart, don’t fight about it. We know divorce isn’t God’s will (Mt19:5,6) and it should be unheard of for two believers to divorce because they’ve absolutely every provision in Christ to get along with and love each other. So in a Christian household there shouldn’t even be a thought of divorce. But where there is a non-Christian involved it’s a different story. You aren’t commanded by God to force an unbeliever to live by your rules if he doesn’t want to. Even in sharing the gospel where Jesus says, “Dust your feet off” (Mk6:11) when you’re not received, He means it’s not right to stay there and argue. We’re to minister where we’re received but where men reject us we aren’t to fight with them but to depart because we are called to peace. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Don’t be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who’s called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. (1Cor7:18-22) If the Lord had not accepted you as a slave He wouldn’t have called you as a slave. Unless He was willing to accept you, He wouldn’t have opened up your heart to see what was being offered. In whatever lawful physical condition or social position you’re in, the fact that God has called you means you are acceptable in that place. But if you can better your position to become even more useful to God, do it! (v21) Likewise he who’s called while free is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; don’t become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. (1Cor7:22-24) There’s a moral aspect to this, which is you’re called to holiness and you can’t stay in something that’s unholy and get into holiness. So Paul here is speaking of your physical position not your Spiritual. You have to come out of whatever’s unholy because you’re called into holiness. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. (1Cor7:19) More than anything else you’re called to obedience. I marvel you’re turning away so soon from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to a different gospel. (Gal 1:6) We’re called into grace. But the Galatians are turning away from that call towards something other than grace. If you turn away from God’s grace, you’re turning away from God. (Gal 5:4) Most so called “believers” these days think grace is merely forgiveness of sins but most of the scriptures that speak of God’s grace show it to be the power God gives a believer so he can serve God acceptably. (Heb12:28) If you’re called to be a son of God, God’s grace will provide you with the power to be a son of God. Through faith the indwelling Christ gives us grace by which we may fulfill the will of God. We’re called into grace so we may accomplish God’s purposes by the Spirit. (1Cor15:10) But the Galatians are turning away from God’s grace. They’re turning back to depending on their own abilities to fulfill the law. Paul says they’ll lose their salvation if they do that. “I’m afraid for you, lest I’ve labored for you in vain.” (Gal 4:11) You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the Truth? This persuasion doesn’t come from Him who calls you. (Gal 5:7,8) If you’re being persuaded by anyone other than the one who calls you what would they persuade you to do except something contrary to your calling? Paul prays that we might know the hope of our calling. (Eph1:18) If you know the hope of your calling you should be doing everything necessary to attain to the calling and be found acceptable among the elect. Many are called but you have to attain to that which you’re called to in order to be chosen. These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He’s Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful. (Rev17:14) You won’t be with Jesus unless you’re “called, chosen, and faithful.” So you need to run your race in such a way as to be chosen, not just called. And to be chosen you must be faithful. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. (1Tim1:12) To be faithful includes the idea that you’ll resist and overcome anything that could draw you away from your calling, as when Paul says, “This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.” The faithful will recognize anything that’s contrary to what they’re called to and not succumb to it. You must discern where persuasions are coming from and where they’re leading. For example, the cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches and lusts of other things, (Mk4:19) often distract unfaithful “believers” from serving Christ. Many are called but few are chosen because so many who are called prove to be unfaithful. They fail to overcome and are drawn away after other things than what God has called them to. For you, brethren, have been called to liberty. (Gal 5:13) Paul says, “I will not be brought under the power of anything for even though all things are lawful for me they may not be wise or beneficial.” (1Cor6:12) Thus we aren’t living by the law, but by the Spirit and wisdom of God in Christ! All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (1Cor10:23) All things are lawful if they’re helpful and they don’t destroy my liberty. As New Covenant believers because we can draw upon Christ within to follow His righteousness, we’re set free from the law as a means of attaining to righteousness. We don’t give our attentions to the law, but to Christ! If we abide in the love of Christ, the wisdom of Christ, the Spirit and the guidance and the light of Christ, we’ll be far more righteous than the law could ever make us. But being free from the law doesn’t mean we’re to indulge our flesh. Indulging your flesh is going to destroy your liberty. Indulging your flesh will cause you to fall into bondage again. If anything will cause you to lose the liberty Christ has given you, then don’t do it! For you’ve been called to liberty; only don’t use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Gal 5:13) Did Christ set you free so you could be selfish or so you could do the will of God? Did He set you free so that you could serve yourself or so you could love and serve others? He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. (2Cor5:15) Since you’ve been crucified with Christ the body of sin (flesh) has been done away with and you’re free to serve God and your brethren. So use your freedom for the right purposes. You’ve been called unto liberty but use your liberty to serve Christ! I, therefore… beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called. (Eph4:1) How are you to attain to this calling if you don’t walk worthy of it? You’ve been called unto specific things which accompany salvation: wisdom, sainthood or holiness, peace, obedience, grace, liberty, all of which conform you to the image of Christ. (Rom8:29,Col 1:28) These are some of the things of which salvation is composed and it’s in the putting on of these things that salvation must be worked out. For it’s God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. (Phil 2:13) That you might come to the perfect man, the fullness of the stature of Christ before Jesus returns. (Eph4:13,2Pt1:5-11) You must walk by a faith purposed to attain to maturity in Christ because ultimately the call to salvation is a call to Christ-likeness! Beloved, now we’re children of God; and it hasn’t yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He’s revealed, we’ll be like Him, for we’ll see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. (1Jn3:2,3) When Paul says we must walk worthy of the calling he’s actually considering the final prize, the destination we’re called to; if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3:11) If we’re to attain to the resurrection or the glorified body (Phil 3:21) we must walk in the things which pertain to that glory now. That’s what it means to walk worthy of the calling. So the call isn’t just a call to salvation, but it’s a call to the behavior that must accompany a true salvation. Beloved, we’re confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. (Heb6:9) Things (plural) that “accompany” salvation means salvation isn’t a singular thing that stands alone but is made up of many necessary things which compose and complete it. So your call to salvation is a call to every facet of behavior that’s required to attain Christ-likeness. Since it’s necessary that you walk in the Spirit to attain to salvation, you’re called to walk in the Spirit. Since it’s necessary to walk in love to work out your salvation, you’re called to walk in love. Since it’s necessary that you put on Christ’s righteousness to please God, you must put on His righteousness. So the call to salvation is a call to all the many virtues that are needful to conform you to Christ. There’s one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling. (Eph4:4) The hope of your calling is to be found acceptable to Jesus at His glorious appearing. (Tit2:13) To attain to that we must be like Him. (1Jn3:2) So we must be called into everything that pertains to the fullness of Jesus Christ and that’s needed for us to completely express the mind and the behavior of Christ in our lives. That you’d walk worthy of God who calls you into His own Kingdom and glory. (1Th2:12) For God didn’t call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1Th4:7) Holiness is synonymous with the call to sainthood. The literal translation of saint, “Hagios” in the Greek, means “Holy.” If you’re not becoming holy, you’re not a saint. If you’re not a saint, you’re not “saved.” So you see how the call to salvation rests upon your answering the call to holiness. If you don’t walk worthy of God and take hold of holiness, you won’t enter God’s Kingdom! You’re called into God’s own Kingdom and glory thru holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb12:14) God has called us to peace (1Cor7:15) and holiness. And without holiness you won’t enter the Kingdom which means you won’t be saved, since salvation has to be synonymous with being made worthy to enter God’s Kingdom. But it seems most “christians” don’t like to consider the requirements to get into God’s Kingdom anymore. They prefer the easier requirements of what they falsely consider salvation. They like to believe they’re already saved just because they’ve received the call to salvation. Yet the call to salvation is a call to God’s Kingdom and look at how many factors there are involved in being found worthy of God’s Kingdom because anything that pertains to the entrance into God’s Kingdom is synonymous with salvation. If you don’t get into the Kingdom, you aren’t saved! Whatever’s required for you to get into the Kingdom is required for you to be saved. So again the call to salvation is a call to God’s Kingdom and the call to the Kingdom includes all the Spiritual virtues and qualities you must put on to be conformed to Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith. (Phil 3:8,9) In the natural world if a person believes He’s called to be a doctor, what does he have to do? To be a doctor he has to learn Latin, anatomy, biology, chemistry. There are numerous subordinate things he must learn like self discipline, to be able to work well under stressful conditions when he doesn’t get enough sleep and such because people don’t get sick on your schedule. He must learn to manage his own life well. Doctors have access to drugs and such which most people don’t have legal access to. They must be able to abstain from illicit behavior on the basis of their own character. And, of course, they should have social skills, being able to communicate and empathize with people. To become a doctor there are a lot of necessary things that accompany the call and getting into the Kingdom is like that too. There are many needful things required to answer God’s call acceptably! Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1Th5:23,24) To sanctify, “Hagiazo” in the Greek, means to make holy. Again God’s call is to holiness but if God calls you to be holy, He’ll provide what you need to be made holy. The table is set. God hasn’t called you to an empty table. He’ll give you a complete sanctification if you answer His call and obey Him. God is faithful. He’s not going to call you into the desert and then let you die of thirst. If He calls you into the desert He’ll supply you with water. He’ll make the desert blossom. (Is35:6) God’s made provision for you. What He calls you to He’ll provide for you. If there’s ever failure it isn’t with God but in our lack of faith. It’s our failure to obey what God’s asking us to do. It’s our failure to go where He’s telling us to go. It is our failure, in some manner, to properly respond to His call. Many claim they want salvation, yet when they say yes to salvation, they say no to holiness. (Heb12:14) They say yes to salvation but no to the grace that’s the power to serve God acceptably. (Heb12:28) They say yes to salvation but no to obedience. (Act5:32) Yes to salvation but no to wisdom! (1Cor1:30) The false “churches” and “christians” are saying, “Yes, I’ll be a doctor but, no I won’t go to medical school.” So they want the reward but they don’t want to pay the price. But you’re being called to pay the price if you expect to receive the reward. You’re called to walk worthy so you may obtain the reward. A common heresy in these false churches is to say salvation is a free gift! Yet the Kingdom has a price on it. Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Mt13:44) According to Jesus this “free gift” is going to cost you everything. So likewise, whoever of you doesn’t forsake all that he has can’t be My disciple. (Lk14:33) So the false christians say, “I want salvation, the free thing, but I don’t want the Kingdom that costs me everything.” Something is dreadfully wrong with such theology because the Kingdom is salvation so if what’s being offered as a free gift isn’t the Kingdom, then it’s not salvation. What’s really being offered as a free gift, is entrance into the call to salvation. You can come in the door and have the right to pursue all these things which lead to salvation freely, without price, but to be successful in attaining the goal you’ll have to leave everything of your old life behind. It’s going to cost you everything if you want to attain to the Kingdom. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him. (Lk14:28,29) But we’re bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the Truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Th2:13,14) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience…(1Pt1:2) The Greek word for “chosen” and for “elect” are synonymous. So the elect are chosen and they’re chosen because of God’s foreknowledge that they’d properly respond to the call. Many are called, but few chosen. (Mt20:16) Those who are chosen are those who’ll fulfill all of God’s requirements to answer the call and God knows in advance who they are. If you’re among these elect you’ve not only been called but you’ve been chosen for salvation, but according to God’s requirements through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the Truth. So among the necessary things that accompany salvation, are sanctification (holiness) and belief in the Truth (faith). And we must answer the calls to sanctification and faith in the Truth to be saved. Many “believers” claim to be saved by faith but it has to be faith in Truth. Often people have faith in things that aren’t truth, and they won’t get into the Kingdom thru such faith. Faith in the Truth is an absolute requirement to obtain salvation. Concerning faith in the Truth Paul says, “to which He called you by our gospel.” (2Th2:14) So the gospel is the call to believe the Truth! You know there’s a difference between the idea of something and the reality… you can, for example, understand the concept of honesty without really practicing honesty, and so while entertaining the idea of it you never possess the reality of it. Likewise many “christians” have received the concept of salvation, but they aren’t receiving the reality of Christ in them so while claiming to be “saved” they’re actually denying Christ and not allowing Him to work in them through His Spirit to bring about the reality of the salvation they erroneously believe they have. To enter into the reality of salvation you first must see it exists and that’s the idea of salvation as it’s presented in the gospel. But if all you do is receive the idea of it and never let the Spirit of grace or the power of God produce the reality of that salvation including all the Christ-like virtues God must put in you so you can be chosen for His Kingdom, then you aren’t going to get a real salvation; you’re only going to have the idea or theory of it. The power of God has to manifest to bring you into the reality of what He’s describing in the gospels. So the gospel reveals what’s available but you have to take hold of the realities of those things by faith not just receive the idea of them but obtain the very power, the Spirit, the very life of Christ who only can bring you into a real salvation and the Kingdom of God. To which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2Th2:14) So again faith in the Truth and sanctification are necessary to attain a real salvation (v13) and how can you obtain the glory of Christ without being made one with Him. And the glory which You gave Me I’ve given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one. (Jn17:22,23a) In a sense being chosen for salvation is like being chosen to attend Harvard. To be chosen by a top university they must examine your scholastic record and determine you’re capable of successfully completing their curriculum. But what are you to do after you’ve been chosen, join a fraternity and party your way thru school? If I’ve been chosen to go to Harvard, that doesn’t mean I’m already a Harvard graduate. Unless I complete the curriculum I won’t be chosen to graduate. That aspect of being called to salvation isn’t well understood. Yes, I’ve been chosen to enter the race but if I’m going to attain to the prize I have to be chosen when the graduation ceremony is taking place; I have to be chosen to attain to the resurrection of the dead and the Kingdom of God. (1Cor9:24,Phil 3:13,14) Many are called but few chosen. The door is open to almost anyone to apply to Harvard – like salvation the call is to many! But only those who are qualified will be allowed to attend. Only a few will be chosen. And those who are chosen to enter into Harvard, must then devote their time to preparing and qualifying that they may be chosen to graduate – even as those who answer the call to salvation must now devote themselves to being found worthy of attaining to the resurrection of the just. (Phil 3:11) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called ... (1Tim6:12) So the call to eternal life is a call to a fight of faith that you must win in order to lay hold on eternal life. The call isn’t the victory – the victory must still be won to attain to eternal life. One thing Jesus was called to was the cross. Do you remember what He said when facing it? Do I have to drink this cup? And He did drink it. What cups do we have to drink? How many battles do we have to win before we can attain to what God has called us to? It’s not enough to start the race, you must finish the race to attain to eternal life. I’ve fought the good fight, I’ve finished the race, I’ve kept the faith. Finally, there’s laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who’ve loved His appearing. (2Tim4:7,8) Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who’s saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. (2Tim1:8,9) The calling is to holiness and attaining to holiness always requires suffering. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who’s suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. (1Pt4:1) If you aren’t willing to suffer you won’t be able to take hold of what Christ is calling you to. Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. (Eph1:4) If you know you’re doing what God requires of you then you can have a great assurance that you’re indeed attaining to the prize. And by this we know we’re of the Truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. (1Jn3:19) Because the only way you wouldn’t would be that you’ve disobeyed. So if you’re in obedience, you’re being saved, as long as you stay in obedience. God has called us with a holy calling that’s not according to our works. We didn’t earn our place in Christ. It was His grace that made a place for us. We didn’t earn the right to become the children of God. Jesus purchased that right for us. Yet even so, now that we’re in we must be living up to what He’s called us to. The calling is according to His purpose and grace. Why does He choose to save some before others? It’s because of where you fit in His plan. When He says He’s called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose He’s indicating the value you have to the Kingdom isn’t according to what you think you ought to be doing but according to what Jesus is assigning you to do because we all have one hope of our calling in attaining to the fullness of the stature of Christ, but we fill different positions within the church. (Rom12:4-8) And you’re to discover and obey God’s purpose for you not to offer Him your own. Too many new believers think, “I’m a musician – so now I’ll be a musician for God.” Or “I was a business man now I’ll do business for God.” The largest financial backer of My Father’s House wanted to be a preacher but Jesus made him into a Christian business man. Before I was “saved” I was a successful business man and after I was saved I wanted to be a traveling evangelist but Jesus made me a pastor – the very thing I didn’t want to be. It took a crucifying of my flesh to obey Him – but I delight to do His will. Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling…(Heb3:1) Paul is speaking to a people who’ve answered the call by partaking in the things that accompany salvation because if they’d rejected these things they couldn’t be “brethren.” The call has to be partaken of. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he’d receive as an inheritance. (Heb11:8) For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb11:10) But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God isn’t ashamed to be called their God, for He’s prepared a city for them. (Heb11:16) Jesus says you must hate your life in this world to become fit for the Kingdom of Heaven. “If anyone comes to Me and doesn’t hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be My disciple.” (Lk14:26) Abraham looked at Ur and Haran and thought, “This isn’t satisfactory.” He saw all the idolaters, fools, wicked people and the vain and useless things worldly societies are consumed with and he knew, “There must be more to life than this.” Similarly, Solomon in Ecclesiastes also speaks much of the vanity of this life. “Why do we even exist if all we can have is a life that’s going to end in foolishness and uselessness?” But God answered Abraham as He’s answered all of us who’ve seen thru the façade. “Abraham, I do have something better and if you’ll follow Me I’ll lead you to it.” So Abraham turned his back on the societies of this world and followed God into a place he didn’t know. (Heb11:8) In the same way Noah condemned the world by building the ark (Heb11:7) Abraham condemned his world by leaving it and proved he was worthy of salvation. Therefore God isn’t ashamed to be called (his) God for (God) has prepared a city for (him). God has prepared a Kingdom for those who aren’t interested in having their Kingdoms in this world. I’ve looked at this world and I don’t want it. There’s a pearl of great price, there’s a treasure in the field and it’s not of this world. It’s God’s Kingdom! (Mt13:44-46) But it’s going to cost you. You have to give up this world, forsake it and everything in it to follow Christ. (Lk14:33) “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called.” The key word here is obeyed. When God calls you to His Kingdom, God calls you to obedience. The highway to God’s Kingdom is the road of faith that leads to grace and that takes us down the path of obedience till we get to the thoroughfare of sainthood and then we’re going to move forward on the boulevard of wisdom until we get to the crossroads of peace. From there we’re going to travel on the avenue of righteousness and we’re going to follow that until it takes us to the main street of love and love gets us to the parkway of holiness and we’re going to follow it all in the Spirit of Truth. We get to the Kingdom by way of these other virtues (2Pt1:5-10) all of which “accompany salvation” (Heb6:9) and when these things aren’t – salvation isn’t. For salvation is composed of Christ-likeness and that must be taken hold of for salvation to be real. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you’ll be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you’ll never stumble. (2Pt1:5-10) But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. (1Pt1:15) For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… (Heb2:11) You can’t be one if you’re not of the same substance and since the one who’s calling you is holy then you must be holy to be one with Him. You can’t be “saved” unless you’re one with Christ, bone of His bone, flesh of His flesh. (Eph5:30) But you’re a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. (1Pt2:9) But if we walk in the light as He’s in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. (1Jn1:7) And this is condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (Jn3:19) Everything related to the call of God is a call to light. To answer the call you must leave the darkness. If we say we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and don’t practice the Truth. (1Jn1:6) He who says he’s in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there’s no cause for stumbling in him. (1Jn2:9,10) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I’ve loved you, that you also love one another. (Jn13:34) While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. (Jn12:36) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in Truth. (1Jn3:16,18) The call to light is a call to love that’s expressed in deeds. Can you receive the call to salvation while you reject God’s light? Absolutely not! If you reject God’s light you reject His salvation. Yet many so called “christians” think they can hold on to their call to salvation while they reject God’s light! You can’t have salvation apart from God’s light. Any of the things that “accompany salvation” that you reject; you’re rejecting salvation. You’re rejecting salvation when you reject holiness. You’re rejecting salvation when you reject obedience. You’re rejecting salvation when you reject the grace to serve God acceptably or any other aspects of His grace. You’re rejecting salvation when you reject God’s wisdom. You’re rejecting salvation when you reject liberty because to whom you’re a slave to obey you’re that one’s slave. (Rom6:16) You’ve lost your liberty when you turn to sin so you’ve lost your salvation – Jesus isn’t your Lord! You lose your liberty because when you obey sin, then sin is your lord and you aren’t saved because you don’t have the liberty to do the will of God anymore. You belong to the one you’re serving. For what credit is it if, when you’re beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. (1Pt2:20) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps. (1Pt2:21) You’re called to suffer for doing good. Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who’s suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin. (1Pt4:1) That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (Phil 3:10) Which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the Kingdom of God, for which you also suffer. (2Th1:5) The Thessalonians are suffering for doing good. It’s because they’re doing the will of God, they’re suffering. So we’re likewise called to fellowship in the sufferings of Christ and to suffer for doing good. Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1Pt3:9) For he who’d love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1Pt3:10-12) But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus…(1Pt5:10) We’re called to eternal glory but to attain to this we must be chosen, and to be chosen we must fulfill everything the scripture requires of us. We’re called by Christ Jesus. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. (Heb12:2) And what are the things we’re called to except the very life and character of Christ. Christ suffered so we’re called to suffer. Everything Jesus is we’re called to become! (Eph4:13) Everything Jesus does we’re to do. (1Jn4:17) We’re to be like Him because we’re being called into God’s Kingdom by becoming conformed to the image of Christ. (Rom8:29) He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. (1Jn2:6) Being called to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus means we must behave the way Jesus does. Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing... (1Pt3:9) For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps… who, when He was reviled, didn’t revile in return; when He suffered, He didn’t threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. (1Pt2:21,23) So we’re called to be like Jesus and to do what He did. And why would He do it if we weren’t supposed to do it? For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… Christ and the believers must be the same to be one. Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. (Heb5:8,9) Every aspect of what He went thru is something we’ll need to go thru and He went thru it first so He could lead us thru. Even His atonement prefigures the fervent intercessions of the saints on behalf of the church. I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what’s lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church. (Col 1:24) We know God wouldn’t have put Jesus thru sufferings that weren’t necessary. God doesn’t cause suffering just for the sake of suffering. If He causes us to suffer, it’s necessary for a purpose. So whatever Jesus had to go thru fulfilled a needful purpose and to attain to that purpose the saints must go thru it also. As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. (2Pt1:3) We’re called by glory and not just to glory. Now glory can be defined as the presence of God – to see Him is to see glory. (2Cor3:18) If you’re reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1Pt4:14) If you’ve been called by glory and virtue then you’re called by the presence of God and if you’re in His presence the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them. (Mt18:20) The presence of God is there. No one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1Cor12:3b) When you truly call Jesus Lord the presence of God is with you and whenever you stand up for Christ or are reproached for His name the Spirit and glory of God rest upon you. Now consider what it means to be called by virtue. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1Th4:7) You must attain to Christ-like character or you won’t enter God’s Kingdom! (1Cor6:9,10) For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you’ll never stumble. (2Pt1:5-7,10) There’s much stumbling going on in many churches because the “believers” aren’t adding these virtues to their “faith.” But it’s certain no-one’s going to “stumble” into God’s Kingdom! To make your call and election sure you must stop stumbling! And only if you add these Christ-like virtues to your faith will you stop stumbling and have an abundant entrance into God’s Kingdom. (v11) To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ. (Jude1:1) If you’re to be chosen you must be sanctified. Sanctification includes being set apart unto God and as we’ve previously shown being made holy without which you won’t see God. (Heb12:14) You can only be preserved in Christ Jesus not outside of Him. You’re preserved by abiding in Him, in His Spirit, which includes all the righteous behavior that make Him the son of God. When you’re abiding in these things, you’re abiding in Christ. He’s our wisdom – He’s our holiness – He’s our peace – He’s the Spirit of obedience in us – He’s our grace to overcome – He’s our liberty. When you’re actually in these things you’re in Him, you’re in His Spirit and you’re preserved in Him. You aren’t preserved if you’re in the flesh. When something is preserved it doesn’t corrupt. You can preserve meat in salt and it won’t spoil. If you sow to the flesh you reap corruption because there’s no preservation there. But if you sow to the Spirit you’ll reap eternal life. (Rom8:13) That’s where you’re preserved: in the Spirit. Now the Lord is the Spirit. (2Cor3:17) Jesus is your preservation. As salt preserves bacon, as sugar preserves peaches, as vinegar preserves cucumbers, Jesus preserves the saints. It’s His Spirit that’s our preservation. But you must abide in Him! You must abide in the preservative. If you get out of the preservative you’re going to spoil, so to be preserved unto God’s everlasting Kingdom you must abide in Christ. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and keep Him on! ((Eph4:24) Perhaps the greatest problem with the so called “christianity” around us is “believers” who see “salvation” as standing alone, and can’t see the many necessary things that “accompany it.” And when those things aren’t pursued then the believer isn’t “saved” but near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (Heb6:8) Because the things that “accompany salvation” are necessary – all of them, and if we’re saved these are the things we’re called to, every one of them being a quality of Christ’s personhood and divinity. So if we want to run our race in the way to win we must run it lawfully. (2Tim2:5) The way to win is to diligently pursue everything we’re called to: wisdom, holiness, peace, obedience, grace, the liberty of the Spirit, the Truth of God, suffering for God, love in all it’s Godly aspects, walking in the light, adding to your faith virtue, glory, etc., putting on the very presence and essence of Christ’s character in every way, growing up into the fullness of Christ to the perfect man. (Eph4:13) That’s how we’ll attain to eternal life. I’m called to the Kingdom of God but I’m called to get there by receiving wisdom – peace – obedience – grace – liberty – holiness – virtue – love – glory – suffering – all of these are specific components of the composite call to the Kingdom. To properly answer the call I must put on all these things or I won’t be counted worthy of God’s Kingdom. God in His foreknowledge knows who’ll attain. And concerning the term “election” we can presume to some extent upon who the elect are, but we can never be presumptuous in considering ourselves to be elect when we aren’t attaining to these things the elect are called to. The elect are those who are pursuing wisdom, obedience, love, faith, grace, holiness, and they’re making real progress in acquiring them. Anyone who’s without these things is certainly not proving he’s among the chosen. Anyone who turns away from light isn’t amongst the elect because they’re children of light. (1Th5:5) Anyone who’s turning away from holiness and obedience isn’t amongst the chosen because the elect are holy and obedient. (1Pt1:2,2:9) It’s because they’re faithful in answering all they’re called to that they’ve been chosen to be together with Jesus forever. And those who are with Him (Christ) are called, chosen, and faithful! (Rev17:14) Prophecy: Those I’ve called who’ve properly answered My call, I’ve justified and glorified and given a place in My work. And you who’ve properly answered My call, I’ve equipped and I’ve blessed and I’ve filled you with the knowledge of My ways and opened the doors for that knowledge to go forth and it will accomplish that which I’ve sent it to do for I’ve not called you in vain. Now who is he who’ll condemn? Who is he who calls useless that which I’ve called useful? Who is he who can speak against that which I’ve ordained and brought forth? I tell you My people don’t fear men or the words of men for they who do not know Me, don’t know how to judge what’s useful to Me and what isn’t. Only those who know My ways can judge what’s helpful to Me and only those who’ve answered My call and are following Me can be a part of My plan and only they are useful and precious to Me. And I’ll watch over you and I’ll keep you and I’ll show those who’ve misjudged you how badly they have misjudged for I shall be glorified in the ones who properly answer when I call, saith the Lord. (Prophecy delivered at “My Father’s House”)
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