Lately I’ve been thinking about something Jesus said. In the Gospels, twice we find Jesus making the following statement – For many are called and few chosen. Both instances follow a story, a story of invitation and offense.
And so it is today as well; Jesus’ words still ring true. I am frequently saddened by the reality of the words. Far too frequently people hear the call and excitedly respond. Somewhere between the calling and the choosing we always encounter a test. Our response to the test either qualifies or disqualifies us. It determines whether we are chosen.
Even Jesus experienced the testing that either qualifies or disqualifies. Before He ever began His public ministry, he yielded to the plan of the Father and submitted Himself to baptism. That however, led to a more intense testing. The Holy Spirit compelled Him to go to the desert for more intense testing. Each test dealt with a specific realm of temptation. The first test revealed whether He would use His power to do things beyond the desires of the Father. The second test was directed at the need for self-validation. The third test offered a shortcut to glory that avoided sacrifice.
That point of trial instigated by the Holy Spirit reveals the condition of the heart. For Jesus, His devotion to the Father and His purposes shone through. His heart was revealed. I believe that not only was His heart revealed, but His resolve to do the will of the Father was strengthened.
One of my greatest disappointments has to do with people who hear the call but then disqualify themselves from being chosen by their response to the testing. So many people, at the verge of being significant in the Kingdom of God, disqualify themselves. They choose the way of human wisdom and understanding instead of embracing the ways and purposes of God. The ways of God seem too difficult.
So they settle for something less. They may become busy in church or ministry activities. However, everything they do is a faint shadow of what could be. They heard the call but were never chosen.
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1 comment:
I like your explaination of the 3 tests. From my own experience, the enemies tactics are the same today as they were back then. God will use those who he can trust. Also, the fact that we are being tested does not make us "chosen". We are chosen when we overcome the enemy. Chosen for what? To walk in His Glory, and not to use it for ouselves. God is very jealous of His Glory. Psalms says, "I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols." I believe the desire of God is that we walk in His glory...wherever that may lead and whatever that may mean.
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