Jesus said, “many are invited, but few are chosen.”[1]
A Christ-follower is someone who has been chosen by Jesus by choosing Jesus.
We need to take off our religious hat in order to appreciate this. As long as we’re still wearing it, we hear it and nod our head and respond with something like, “Yes, amen” and maybe add a “Thank you, Lord.” But most of the time, we’re just agreeing with something we’ve heard a lot in church.
From time to time, we need to go off alone and take a long look at ourselves, see ourselves as we’ve become, give thanks to Jesus and maybe even remember ourselves as we were, when we reeked with sin. It’s an ugly sight, but it helps us keep life in perspective.
Just get a glimpse. Don’t stay long. Then, be quiet and remember your Father’s voice. Remember him saying of Jesus, “Here is my servant whom I have chosen.” Remember that your Father chose you, too. And remember how Jesus described the resulting union:
I pray for them all to be joined together as one even as you and I, Father, are joined together as one. I pray for them to become one with us…. For the very glory you have given to me I have given them so that they will be joined together as one and experience the same unity that we enjoy. You live fully in me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity….I have revealed to them who you are and I will continue to make you even more real to them, so that they may experience the same endless love that you have for me, for your love will now live in them, even as I live in them![2]
You are one of the few people born into this world who was chosen by the one and only, immortal and immeasurable God, who, driven by love, created you, suffered crucifixion and death for you and now lives in and with you, thereby enabling you to live in perfect intimacy and glory with him forever.
Have a unique day.
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[1] Matthew 22:14, TPT.
[2] John 17:21, 22, 26, TPT.
