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Christians: Chosen by God - John 15:15-17
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5/11/2010 2:45:38 PM
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Christians are Chosen by God!Jesus: "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another." (John 15:15-17)
This intimate communication between Jesus and His disciples was given before His crucifixion to relay to them & us His personal and special relationship. It was given to us directly by Jesus own mouth while He was on earth because it is a sincere, yet truthful expression of His will and relationship with us. Jesus felt so strongly about our relationship to Him, that He wanted to tell us about it personally and not just second-handed via His future Apostles! Jesus made it a point to reveal His "friendship" with us Himself as it means a great deal to Him!
But Jesus also wanted us to know WHY He felt such a closeness to us. His love for us is not something that he takes lightly! He does not just randomly call people His friends! In fact, He, being "the Way, the TRUTH and the Life" (John 14:6), was totally TRUTHFUL in how our personal relationship with Him was established: "I Chose you"!
Since Jesus is Truth, His declaration is one of Doctrine: TRUTH! Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you"! He left no room for doubt or misunderstanding here. It is an imperative statement of fact, not a whimsical "it's kinda like this..." type of statement. Jesus was not just being faltering about His affections for us. That requires lying! Something He can not do! No, He is clear, He CHOSE us! Ironically, something that is so personal and so emotionally, yet truthfully, declare by Jesus as an expression of His love for us, is yet another thing that foolish people who claim to know Him, so easily dismiss as a mistake on His part or an out right lie! No, "Jesus does not push Himself on anyone, we are free to accept OR reject Him" is the statement of faith many misguided "Christians" say; totally nullifying His words! Compare: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 6:44).
As a result, many Christians skip over this verse (and many, many others like it) because it does not "fit" into their believes about Jesus, or God in general. They think that their preconceived ideas as to who God is completely answers all questions about God's identity.
The sad thing about this is that it is a slap in the face to the Lord who spoke the words in TRUTH! Why did Jesus say such a thing in such an intimate conversation with His "friends"? Because Jesus was giving the outcome of that friendship He feels for us. Jesus put allot of thought in His decision to "choose" us. He could have chosen anyone, but He Chose us! He loved us before the world began! He chose us because of that love, and He now calls us His friends!
Are you Jesus' friend? Do you know Him personally? If so, then look at the verses again, and see just how much an expression of His love His words are to you! Stop ignoring Him, He died for you; listen to everything He shares with you as it is all of eternal importance. Don't pick and choose verses based on what YOU think, but rather on "Thus saith the Lord"! |
Summary
We are being
warned! God is showing us what His purpose for this
world entails. As we get closer and closer to the end,
the world has become more and more sinful! And
unfortunately, this condition will worsen till He
returns and redeems us from ourselves. Don't let sin,
self or Satan who has invaded our planet separate you
from the free gift of salvation that Jesus extends to
you in His invitation to be born-again:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only
begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not
perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send
His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that
the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes
in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe
is condemned already, because he has not believed in
the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18)
Are You Ready? If not get ready, "Repent
for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand"!
Click to Read:
Luke 13:3;
Ephesians 2:8-9;
Romans 10:8-13;
Acts2:38
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Name: Paul Paradise
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