Matthew 20.16b for many be called, but few chosen.
Mt.22.14 For many
are called, but few are chosen.
Please comprehend these scriptures,
for the Lord Himself has spoken them.
Compared to few, many are the vast majority; so the vast majority of the called; including many who have
come and "believe" in Jesus, will not be chosen.
The called of God
are the children of the kingdom (Mt.13:38), being different from the children of the wicked one, referred to by the Lord in the parable of the tares . Some of the children of the kingdom will
not come, and others do come. (Consider Mt.8:11,12; and the parable of the wedding Mt.22:1-14).
Mt.8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west,
and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus spoke this to the multitude of people who followed Him when He entered into Capernaum.
In Mt.22:2-7,
He spoke of the Jews; in V 8-10 He spoke of the Gentiles; in V 11-14 He spoke of those called who will not be chosen.
Mt.22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain
king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 and sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not
come. 4 Again, he sent sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which were bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them.
7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wrath: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8 Then saith he to
his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid them to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.
11
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he said unto him, Friend how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? and he was speechless. 13 Then said the king
to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
When we are called through hearing the gospel preached, and have revealed to our hearts, by our Father
in heaven, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Mt.16:15-17); and we are reproved by the Spirit of Truth (Jn.16:7-15), that we are sinners, that we need God's righteousness, and that there is to come a day
of Judgement, and we then repent and return to God through Jesus Christ, we are redeemed, and the process of our election to
salvation begins.
1Peter1:9 Receiving the end
of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Matthew 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Hebrews 5:9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
10 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and
rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength; and ye would not.
Only
those called who are drawn by the Father can come to Jesus.
John 6:4a No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him:
John 7:65b no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
Is it only those called,
who do not come, who are not chosen ?
No! Many
who do come, and are even baptized into Jesus Christ, will not be chosen, as attested to by the Lord:
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many shall say to me in that day (the day of Judgement), Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
These many called but not chosen are ministering in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and so must be baptized
to have received these gifts; but they have not walked in the Spirit, but have walked in iniquity, outside of the law of Faith (see study on 'Workers of Iniquity'), and have followed diverse and divisive doctrines about the written word, with blind and dead
faith, rather than following the in-dwelling, ever-present living Word of God; walking in the Light of God, abiding in the Vine, resting in the Lord, with living faith, in Spirit and in Truth.
These many workers of iniquity prophesy falsely in the name above all names; Jesus Christ, and use His name
and word to cast out devils and to do many works of wonder, but do not walk with Him in the Light of His presence in Spirit and in Truth, but rather
follow their own understanding of doctrine about Him, and so walk in darkness. Of course
miracles of wonder may happen because they are using the Word of God, and the name above all names, but iniquitiously and not lawfully. Matthew used the Greek word for iniquity; an om i' a : illegality, violation of law. Luke and James used the Greek word; ad i ki' a : legally unjust, unjustness. Paul used
both these words. So these workers of iniquity spoken of by the Lord were not ministering lawfully and were unjust; not justified by faith; outside of the law of faith; ministering in dead or blind worldly faith. (see study on: 'Faith toward God' in 'First
Principles' and 'Workers of iniquity' on this website). Also those who are walking in unconfessed sin, and so are taking pleasure in unrighteousness.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The sacrifice of Jesus Christ our Lord, upon the cross of Calvary redeemed us from sin; paid
the penalty for our sin; in our baptism we were buried with Him into death and raised up into newness of life; and we arose out of the baptismal water sinless; and in this sinless state, we were baptized, by Him, with the Holy Spirit;
and we should have walked from then on, in newness of life; but did we? or did we start commiting sin again? Understand that sin is the breaking of God's commandments. Unlike the Lord Jesus Who defeated the devil in all areas of
temptation after His baptism, many of us, if not most of us, go back to some, or many of our old worldly selfish ways and desires and habits and preoccupations. Our Heavenly Father has made provision for this in His mercy, which is new every morning and endures
forever, Hallelujah! and we may come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need; Heb.4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace
to help in time of need.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1Jn.1:8). (Note that John included himself in this.)
Also Paul had problems with the flesh and sin.
Romans 7:15 For that which I do I allow not:
for what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For
I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20
Now if I do what I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit.
Among the called, are them also who are the called according to His purpose. Those who love God, whom He did foreknow, those whom He did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of His Son.
Romans 8.28 For
we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the
firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. 31 What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
( V29, ' whom He did foreknow', does not include those many workers of iniquity, who call
Him Lord, whom He told in Mt.7:21-23 to depart from Him , for He said unto them, "I never knew you".)
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
What
are we to make of this?
Paul is written in his epistle to the Romans that the called of God are to be justified and glorified. (When we receive the sacrifice
of our Lord Jesus, and obediently follow Him, we are justified by faith; when we are baptized unto repentance and remission of sin, and receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and His eternal life within us, we have Christ in
us, the hope of glory).
2Thess.2:14 Whereunto he called you
by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Why
has the Lord Himself said that many of the called will not be chosen?
Chosen for what?
2Thess.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 14 Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
James 2:5 Harken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which
He has promised to them that love Him.
It must be understood that the Word of God is a two edged sword, and the full counsel of scripture must be considered; and doctrine is not to be concocted from some scriptures
without taking into consideration other scriptures that verify, clarify, certify and confirm.
It should be noted that in Romans 8:28 the foreknown, the predestinated,
those who love God, are called according to God's purpose, which
is, that they be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Will those called,
who will not be conformed to the Image of His Son, be among those chosen to salvation?
For in
James 2:5 It is those poor who are rich in faith, and who love God, who are chosen heirs of the Kingdom.
Will
those called, who are not rich in faith, but have blind and dead faith, those that "only believe" and not do, and who do not
love God, be chosen to salvation?
To love God is to obey God.
(Many are taught that to obey God is to believe in Jesus. This shows complete lack of understanding of Faith which works by love; to love God is to obey His commandments; Jesus
commanded us to love God; if we obey Him, He is our Lord; if we do not obey Him, He is not our Lord.)
Jn.14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Jn.14:21 He
that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
1Jn.5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep His commandments. 3a For this is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments:
Will those who do not obey
God be chosen to salvation?
No.
It is those that do the will of God that enter
into the kingdom of heaven.
(See study on 'How are we Saved' and 'Faith toward God' in 'First Principles', on this website.)
The Chosen.
Mark.13:20 And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be
saved: but for the elect's sake, whom He has chosen, He has shortened the days.
So those chosen to salvation are the
elect.
(Elect; Gk: Ek lek tos; to choose or select a favorite.)
1Peter1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto
obedience, and the
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto
you, and peace be multiplied.
(Sanctification: Gk: hag i as' mos; purification, holiness.)
1Pet.1;15 But as He which has called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (Gk; an as' troph e; behaviour); 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
When we know that we have been called unto holiness; we understand.
2Pet.3:14b that ye may
be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
Some of the
ways through which we are conformed to the image of His Son....
Romans 6:19b even so now yield your members
servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man,
which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
1Thess.4:7 For God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
1Thess.3:13 To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
II Cor.7;1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves of all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man will see the Lord.
(See study on 'Holiness' on this website).
Romans
8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom.8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things
of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Those called who keep living
after the flesh will be condemned and not chosen for salvation.
IIThess.2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.
(belief;Gk; pistis; assurance of faith; [from Gk; pisteuo; faith]).
Living, obedient, faith in the Truth; obeying God, following the Way, the Truth and the Life, in Spirit and in truth. (Not in following man's diverse and divisive doctrines about the written word with blind, dead, or so called
simple faith, but in following the ever-present, in-dwelling, living Word of God, Jesus Christ our Lord, Redeemer, and Saviour, in living faith). (see study on: 'Resting in the Lord').
Mt.16:24 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall
lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
We must deny self, put off the old man,
the physical man, and the things of the world, and put on the new man, the Spiritual man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, and follow the Lord Jesus Christ, in Spirit
and in Truth.
Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were
baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by
the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of HIs death, we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection:
By baptism, we are buried and resurrected with Him, unto newness of life.
We should live this new Spiritual resurrected life; but most of us do not; after our baptism, most of us go back to some, or many, if not all of
our old worldly, physical ways.
Romans 8.6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
We can not serve God and Mammon.
Isaiah 28:17 Judgement also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: exactly
according to the truth.
We cannot be wishy-washy or casual about our faith, the salvation of our
souls is the purpose of our lives on this earth. Nothing is more important to us.
Mt.16:26 For what
is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
And why call ye me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
If
we do not obey Him, He is not our Lord.
If we do not follow Him, we cannot come unto the Father.
(see study on 'Resting in the Lord' on this website).
Consider this parable;
Mt.22.1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage
for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to
the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them
spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wrath: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then said he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which
were bidden (Gk; kal e o; called) were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the
highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid (Gk; kal e o; call) to the marriage.
10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests 11 And when the
king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he said unto him, Friend, how came you in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.
13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.
From
this parable, told by the Lord Himself we can see that even some of those called who make it to the wedding are in danger of being cast out because they have not on a wedding garment.
The wedding garments: the robe of Righteousness, the garment of Praise, the Oil of Joy, Thanksgiving, and the shoes of Peace. (see study on; 'Wedding garments' on this website).
John15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandsman. 2a Every branch in me that beareth not fruit
he taketh away:
Lu.13:24 Strive
to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Mt.7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be that go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few that be that find
it.
Mt.16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his
life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
Mt.22:14 For many are called,
but few are chosen.
I pray that we will be numbered among those called who will love and obey
God with living faith and thanksgiving, who will deny ourself, take up our cross, die to our life in the world, and submit ourselves
to God; enter in at the strait gate, abide in the Vine, walking in righteousness and peace, to the praise of the glory of Your grace, joyful in the holy Spirit, fellowshipping
with You in the Light, dwelling in the secret place of the Most High; among those that wait upon the Lord, who will trust in, and rest in, and follow
the in-dwelling, Holy Spirit of the Son of God Whom God has sent into our hearts crying Abba Father, that we may be made holy by the God of peace; that we might be adorned with the wedding garments, that we might be conformed
to the image of Your Son, and be among those comparative few chosen unto salvation, in Jesus' wonderful name, thank You Father. Amen! Amen?
Thank You Father,
thank You Lord Jesus.
Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that
is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for what we see not, then we do with patience wait for it.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God
would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved,
as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling.
Fear God and give glory to Him!
Mt.13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity: 42 And shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Love God, obey His commandments.
Be numbered among the Chosen.
To Live, as God's family, forever.
Hallelujah!