God Chose Those Who Would Love Him

Our God is all knowing, all powerful. Yet He is also full of love, and wanted children to give His love to, children who would love Him back. But for us to be able to love our God we had to have a free will, you cannot force anyone to love another, love must be given. And even though our God knew by giving man and woman a free will they would sin, He made a plan by which He could forgive our sins out of His great desire to have us as His children.

*And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1Jn 4:16 NKJV+

*But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 1Jn 2:5 NKJV+

*This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1Jn4:10 NIV+

Because our God is all knowing, He knew who would love Him before He even created us, created the world. He chose those who would love Him above all things, our neighbors as ourselves, to be His adopted children; adopted through the blood Jesus shed on the cross as atonement for our sins, adopted according to our Father’s pleasure and will. These He predestined to be His children forever.

*Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love Eph 1:3-4 NASB+

*he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—Eph 1:5 NIV+

*And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Ro 8:28 NASB+

Our Father predestined those who would love Him above all things to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, Holy; that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Jesus was the first human being to be born holy (Adam + Eve were created not born). Our Savior committed no sin; and His sacrificial death upon the cross is the only means by which all of our sins can be forgiven. And when we receive the indwelling baptism of the Spirit, we become spiritually holy; we become brothers and sisters of Jesus, of whom He is not ashamed.

*For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Ro 8:29 NIV+

*Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. Heb 2:11 NIV+

Our God alone saves us, makes us His children; according to His mercy, according to His will. He is just, and has mercy on whomever He wills, and hardens whomever He wills; and is always right in His decisions.

*What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Ro 9:13-14 ESV+

*So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. Ro 9:18 ESV+

Our God chose us; we did not chose Him

We are called by our Heavenly Father, He chose us, we did not chose Him; and the only way we know we are chosen in this New Covenant of Christ’s grace, is when we surrender our will to our Heavenly Father, to Jesus.

*But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1Pe 2:9 NKJV+

*So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. Ro 9:16 ESV+

And then our Father spiritually washes away our sins through Christ’s grace on the cross, and puts the Holy Spirit in our hearts; which is the baptism of the Spirit, as our spirit is renewed or born again. Christ’s grace began after His sacrificial death on the cross, became the only way our sins could be forgiven, after Israel was given 40 years to accept Him; and in 70 AD the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, ending sacrificial offerings to God. See Baptisms of the Spirit

*Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Eze 36:25-27 NKJV+

*In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. Jn 3:3 NIV+

*not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5 NKJV+

Now only the Spirit can fill us with the love and faith to believe in Jesus, to call Him Lord. Only those who have the Spirit living in our hearts are one with Christ, a child of God, part of the Body of Christ, His one Holy Spiritual Church. All others are on the outside looking in; children of satan.

*Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed "; and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 1Co 12:3 NASB+

*You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Ro 8:9 ESV+

Our God calls us to be His children in different ways, at different times in our lives

We cannot put our God in a box and say this is how our God calls us to be saved. We are all unique to our God, and He calls as He wills, as He wants out of His mercy for us. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners like Paul, who our Father knew would follow Him; do the work He would have him do, after he was given the indwelling of the Spirit.

*When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Matt 9:12-13 NKJV+

*This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1Ti 1:15 NKJV+ Paul speaking

Our Father calls many; but only the chosen ones will surrender our will to Him, receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so we can remain faithful, and become children of God. The words we say to surrender to our God, are not as important as is what is in our hearts; that we truly want Him to be our Father, are willing to accept His will. For many are called but few are chosen!!!

* Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 2Co 1:21-22 NKJV+

*"These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." Rev 17:14 NASB+

*"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matt 22:14 NASB+

Those who have been chosen are called in many different ways; from direct physical action as Paul was when he was called by our Savior to become a child of God, to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles. To being quietly called as a humble little child, who when they hear about Jesus, want Him to be their best friend.

*As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Ac 9:3-4 NKJV+

*“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:5-6 ESV+

Those who have been chosen are called at many different times in our lives. This includes babies who have a believing parent, and are quietly called to be children of God; after the Holy Spirit has created our spiritual being (our soul and spirit), which has given us life. See Soul and Spirit; Body and Mind

*But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother's breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother's womb You have been My God. Ps 22:9-10 NKJV+

*For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 1Co 7:14 ESV+ Unbelieving husband or wife only made holy for their children sake, not themselves; see 1Co 7:16

To those who receive Jesus on their death bed, right before they die. Just like the thief who was crucified with Jesus, believed in Him as the Son of God, and was saved as he was dying on a cross next to Jesus. Our Savior promised the thief he would take Him to Paradise that very same day; after He had died as atonement for our sins, for the sins of all, including the thief on the cross.

*Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Lk 23:42-43 NKJV+

*And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:10 NIV+

Some are given the Holy Spirit in emotional evangelistic crusades which have had over a million people respond to our Father’s calling; others are called when they are all alone. Some receive the Holy Spirit with much emotion, others quietly with joy, and many may not even realize they have received the Spirit. Yet when we surrender to Jesus, we all receive spiritual peace with our God, as we are given the indwelling of the Spirit, which fills us with all the fullness of God. Though we will never receive complete peace on this earth, until Jesus returns in power and establishes His Kingdom here.

*so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Eph 3:17-19 ESV+

*And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:7 ESV+

Our Father chose us, and calls us; yet we must surrender to His will

Salvation is a free gift from our Father. Our Father created us to be His children without any help from us. Christ’s atoning grace on the cross is a free gift to those who have faith; and our Father gives us the faith to believe in Him and to love Him above all things, when He gives us the indwelling baptism of the Spirit; and when we love our God above all things, we will obey His commands.

*For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Eph 2:8-9 ESV+

*He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Lk 10:27 NIV+

*"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. Jn 14:15 NASB+

The only thing we must do is surrender our human will to our God, and accept His will to receive the indwelling of the Spirit, and come into the spiritual Kingdom of our Heavenly Father. Not everyone who calls out to the Lord, including congregational leaders, some who have done many wonders in Jesus name, will come into the Kingdom of God. But only those who are sincere, and want the Spirit to live in our hearts, guide us all the days of our lives, so we can do our Father’s will. And when the Spirit lives in our hearts He continually sanctifies us, keeps us holy, when we fall short and sin. By forgiving our sins as we commit them, as long as we love our God above all things; through Christ’s atoning grace on the cross.

*“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matt 7:21 ESV+

*Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' Matt 7:22-23 NKJV+

*that I should be a minister of Christ Jesus unto the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be made acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Ro 15:16 ASV

The “Race of Life” to receive the “Crown of Righteousness”, the “Crown of Life”

We must all run the race of life here on earth to win the crown of life. Our God has completed everything we need for our salvation, to become children of God. Yet we must still run our race through this world to receive eternal life; and only our Father’s narrow road can lead us to Heaven. Each of us must overcome and endure different trials and temptations as we travel this road, this pathway; and must complete this race to win the Crown of Life, eternal life in Heaven with our God.

*I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2Ti 4:7-8 NKJV+

*Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Ja 1:12 ESV+

The race of life begins when the Spirit creates our spiritual being (soul + spirit) within our physical being (body + mind) after our mother has conceived us. Our Father gives a believer’s baby the indwelling of the Spirit, as He first creates their spiritual being in their mother’s womb, giving them life. The Spirit brings these little babies through the small gate which leads to our Father’s narrow road to eternal life, and keeps them on this road by sanctifying them; until their mind becomes mature enough to rule over their hearts. See Infant Baptism

*When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. Ps 104:30 NIV

*But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matt 7:14 NIV+

God will also have mercy on whom He will have mercy. He can give the Spirit to unbelievers little babies when the Spirit gives them life in their mother’s womb, as He wills; though we will not know which babies receive this blessing. Yet we do know that when the Spirit gives life to babies in the womb of parents who hate our God; these babies will likewise hate our God, and will start on the broad road which leads to destruction.

*You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, Ex 20:5 NIV+

*The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies. Ps 58:3 NKJV+

*"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Matt 7:13 NIV+

Our minds continually mature from conception, until they are able to make decisions, while they are still guided by the thoughts in our hearts; and they are still able to believe in Jesus. If these young children accept Jesus as their Savior, our Father will wash away their original sin, all other sins, and keep or put the Spirit into their hearts (baptism of the Spirit; renewing of the spirit, the mind).

*Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:5-6 NKJV+

*And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Ro 12:2 NKJV+

As our minds mature more they become strong enough to rule over the thoughts of our hearts; and because our minds were conceived sinful, inherit Adam’s sin, they will be spiritually discerned, will not accept our God. This sin will push or keep the Spirit out of our heart.

*Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—Ro 5:12-13 NKJV+

*But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1Co 2:14 NKJV+

The great race we must all face when our physical mind matures

All who have a mature mind, and have not received the indwelling of the Spirit, must be born again (indwelling baptism of the Spirit). To do this we must become like a little child, and come to our Father, surrender our human will and submit our physical minds to Him. And He will spiritually wash away our original sin, and put the Spirit into our hearts. Until we do this we will never be able to understand the Word of God, find the small gate to get on the narrow road and begin our race. We will merely run around in circles on the broad road of the world, never getting anywhere.

*I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." Mk 10:15 BIV+

*"Hear then the parable of the sower. "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. Matt 13:18-19 NASB+

*Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Jn 3:3 NASB+

Some believe since our Father has predetermined those who would be saved, there is nothing for them to do, but wait to see if God calls them, and then saves them. They are forgetting our Father lets us have full control over our will, our human mind. If we do not surrender them to our God, we cannot find the narrow gate; and then if we do not keep submitting our human will and mind to our God’s will, we cannot stay on the narrow road. We condemn ourselves by not submitting our will and minds to our Father. He has merely chosen those He foreknew would surrender to Him, so they could love Him above all things; to be His children. See Chasm

*In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, Eph 1:11 ESV+

*“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. Matt 7:13 ESV+

*Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Heb 12:1 ESV+

The battle to save our soul when our minds become mature; is between our God and ourselves alone. No one else can save us; no church, congregation, congregational leaders, the one who water baptizes us, any other believer, or other person can save us. Other believers can plant and water our seed of faith; but only God can make it grow when we give up our will. Then after we have received the indwelling of the Spirit, Jesus would have us receive water baptism; to show how our God forgives, spiritually washes away our sins; to receive a blessing for obeying Him, and to bring us together to worship with other believers.

Likewise there are no works, or anything we can do to save ourselves; except surrendering our human will. We must come to run the good race as we are, as we have come to the Lord, with the gifts He has and will give us.

*I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 1Co 3:6-7 ESV+

*For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph 2:8-9 NKJV+

*Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 1Co 7:17 NASB+

The good news is the race we must run on this earth has been fixed; our God has made it so all who will love Him above all things, will win the crown of life. We can only navigate the narrow road if we let the Spirit give us accurate directions though God’s Word. We will ultimately be judged, be held responsible, for the words Jesus gave us, the gospel Paul gave us; and they are found only in the Word. Theology, worldly values and ideals, history, what others believe, what we want to believe, will merely get us lost on the narrow road we need to follow.

*For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

*The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. Jn 12:48 ESV+

*on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus. Ro 2:16 ESV+

Believers must be prepared for the problems they will encounter when they accept Jesus as their Lord, so they can stay on the narrow pathway. They will face sarcasm and be ridiculed, by those who do not believe; the tribulation and persecution of being beheaded, made sex slaves, because they love Jesus.

*But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. Heb 10:32-33 NASB+

*For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. Mk 8:35 NKJV+

*You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? Gal 5:7 ESV+

This will cause many who will hear the gospel and received it with joy, to change their physical mind over which they have control. And put their comfort, safety, their pride, wants, and pleasures of this world before the will of our God. This brings sin into their hearts, while pushing the Spirit out of their hearts, and they are no longer children of God. Yet there are others who will completely surrender our will to our God, be enslaved in His love. We will be ashamed of our sins, and strive not to commit, though we will still fall short. And because we love our god above all things, He will sanctify us; continually forgive our sins as soon as we commit them, so we can remain His children and live with Him eternally.

*As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. Matt 13:20-12 ESV+

*Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Ro 6:21-22 NASB+

The race can be short for some believers, as they can die in their mother’s wombs. For other believers who had a believing parent and live to a very old age, it can be very long race. Yet we must all persevere and remain on the narrow road that our Lord would have us travel; overcoming the worries of this life. The rich must overcome the equally hard obstacle of their wealth. For it is very hard for the rich to trust Jesus, instead of their money; to part with their luxurious lifestyle, and follow our Savior.

*The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. Matt 13:22 NIV+

*"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. Mk 10:25 NASB

We must keep reading, learning, and studying in the Word, so we can navigate and finish this race; complete the task Jesus has given us to do, tell everyone about the gospel of our God’s grace. For through the Word we are given the secrets of Heaven, and the one who diligently searches the Word, will be given more knowledge. While those who will not read and study the Word, will have even what knowledge they knew about our Savior taken away from them. Only the one who understands the truths of God’s Word will produce much fruit for Him; as we complete that which our Father had planned for us to do before creation.

*However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. Ac 20:24 NIV+

*“To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. Matt 13:11-12 ESV+

*"And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty." Matt 13:23 NASB+

We must fight the good fight, loving our God above all things until we finish the race; for there are no partial prizes, it is winner take all. We must persevere doing the will of our God to receive what He has promised us, the crown of life; whether we physically die and Jesus tenderly takes our spiritual being to Heaven; or until Jesus returns in the clouds to call up our physical body and replace it with a glorified one; and take us to be with Him forever.

*So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:35-36 NIV+

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Phil 1:21 ESV+

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