Those Who Are Chosen Will Follow Christ at All Costs

To be stirred but not changed makes you no different from the millions of Americans who call themselves Christian. They agree there’s a problem. They believe something should be done. They may even be fooling themselves and thinking they are doing something. But they are unavailable and therefore disqualified.

Have you decided it’s your turn now? This cannot be a light decision. It must be from the core of your being. Unless it is, none of the training will stick, and you will not act on what you have learned. Without an irrevocable decision, the power will not come, and the fire will not fall.

We know God will use people in this massive opportunity. But who are they? In Matthew 22:14, we are told that “many are called, but few are chosen.”

The scriptural context is important. So, let’s see the context of that verse to understand who is called and who is chosen.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, “Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?” And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, “Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” For many are called, but few are chosen. —Matthew 22:11–14

Jesus’ reference to the man building on sand or the seed falling on hard ground represents a person who heard the Word but did not take it to heart. Wearing the required wedding garb says that you understand and honor the ceremony. This man did the unthinkable. By not wearing a wedding garment, he disrespected the event. He treated it as if it were common. He was invited, but because of his insult, he was rejected.

Similarly, another call goes out to the general Christian population, not to a wedding, but to a mission: “Who will march in and harvest the vast field of souls? Who will go and save a nation?” Indeed, many are called, but only those who hear and respond correctly are chosen.

Eli the priest, though corrupt, could still tell young Samuel how to respond to God’s voice.

And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. So, he arose and went to Eli, and said, “Here I am, for you did call me.” Then Eli perceived that the Lord had called the boy. Therefore, Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” —1 Samuel 3:8–9

Who is called, and who is chosen? The answer is so simple and clear that we stumble over it. The called who are willing to pay the price become the chosen.