Core 52 Week 24 - Our Calling

Threw away the rent check. Before you judge me, how many gift cards got thrown out at Christmas time in the wrapping paper at your house?

So easy to overlook or lose sight of value and simply toss it away.

Underlying our discussion today about election and predestination. Some of the most vexing doctrines in the Bible.

But we can ask a better question.

Q: For what did God choose me?

Matt. 22.2-13

Parable of the wedding feast.

Summary: Many are called but few are chosen.

Matthew 22:14 NLT

14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Chosen = election. Deeply theological but simple in the context.

In the parable, people are invited, they came.

Many chose not to attend and were not elected.

The guests wound up being people who never “deserved” an invitation but got one and attended with joy. They were elected.

One showed up for the wrong reason and without the visible signs of respect (wedding clothes) and was rejected.

The story illustrates the God’s desire to invite (elect) us into his kingdom and our response. But the story also reminds us that there is a response to the invitation required. The tension between these elements in the story reflect the challenges in understanding predestination and election.

The Principle

2 views:

1) God alone chooses who goes to heaven and who does not. Or,

2) God has determined the parameters of salvation and we get to choose whether or not to enter.

Regardless of any theologian’s definitions, Jesus own definition of election as we see in this parable is both God’s invitation and our acceptance.

God determines the time, place and parameters of salvation, we choose whether or not to accept it.

Clarifying some important points:

Everyone is invited.

John 3:16 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

2 Peter 3:9 NLT

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

1 Timothy 2:4 NLT

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.

But not everyone gets the same invitation.

Notice in the parable that there was a first set of guests who were invited but rejected it. Clearly speaking of the Jewish people.

God is inclusive but not egalitarian. Every person in history has open access to election but not necessarily equal access.

But this isn’t God playing favorites. He is gracious to all.

For his own purposes, His story included some very specific elections.

Abraham - designated Father of faith to be the source of Messiah. Gracious but hardly egalitarian.

You must respond to the invitation.

Election does not equal invitation.

It’s a response to the invitation.

While God alone invites, his image bearers, humanity, are obligated to respond.

Luke 13:24 NLT

24 “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

God knows who will respond.

We know this from dealing with little kids.

This is foreknowledge. In Greek lit. “knowing beforehand.”

1 Peter 1:1–2 NLT

1 This letter is from Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ. I am writing to God’s chosen people who are living as foreigners in the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. 2 God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. May God give you more and more grace and peace.

This is where predestination comes into play. (proorizo) only 6x in the NT - “to determine beforehand.”

Root word is where we get “horizon.” Basically, “ to set boundaries.”

God determines the boundaries of salvation. He knows who will accept it. The call is to everyone. His election is for those who accept the invitation (election) to step into his predetermined boundaries of salvation.

Romans 8:29–30 NLT

29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

The Purpose:

Why it matters.

If God’s predestination sets boundaries of salvation, then His election should be corporate, not individual.

So God declares the kind of people who would be saved.

But God’s love and election are universal:

John 3:16 NLT

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

God shows no partiality

Acts 10:34 NLT

34 Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.

Romans 2:11 NLT

11 For God does not show favoritism.

1 Peter 1:17 NLT

17 And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.”

So when God chooses (ordains) and individual, He is calling them to a task, not a destiny.

Abraham tasked to found a nation.

Pharaoh to release that nation.

David to lead the kingdom.

Cyrus to restore that kingdom.

John the Baptist to declare the coming Messiah.

Jesus to die on the cross.

Remember, that while not all get the same invitation, all are invited.

Not all receive the same call, but all are called.

You have a God-given purpose for your life.

In every season of your life, God wants to use your gifts, passions, experiences to glorify Him.

There’s something going on in the world right now that only you can address and do for God’s honor.