Do you remember playing sports with your friends and when they were choosing sides, you would yell out to the team captain, “Pick me, pick me!” Being picked on the best team is something we still yearn for as grown-ups. As we apply to schools, or jobs, or professional organizations, we are always trying to be chosen by the most beneficial groups.

I believe this even carries over in our spiritual life. We desire to know the true God and be on His side. For many religious seekers they work hard to be approved. For the Christian, we appreciate what Jesus Christ has done to redeem all mankind. We desire to be a part of the family of God.

Thankfully it is not about begging God to choose us, but it is all about recognizing the finished work of Jesus Christ so that we can be chosen in Him. We do not work for God’s acceptance. We simply believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ and God raising Him from the dead, then we become a member of God’s family. Jesus Christ did all the work for our redemption before God. We chose to believe on Him.

Jeanie, my wife, was inspired to share this antidote: “God fights our battles; we celebrate the victories.” In other words, God wants us to trust Him and His Word, knowing that He does the fighting, we accept the blessings.

The spiritual reality of our new birth is that God has chosen us. Yes, we have to believe Romans 10:9 to get saved, but our Heavenly Father knew we would chose Him. This reality of God choosing you is confirmed by the following verses:

           Ephesians 1:3-5: ASV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ:

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:

having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

God knew some day you would believe. Knowing this, He expressed His love and complete ownership of us by choosing us before the foundation of the world. There are not too many things that God has “chosen before the foundation of the world.”

He picked you and me as His child forever. You are not only on His team, but in His family “holy and without blemish.” Also you are seated in the heavenlies next to Him (Ephesians 2:6). Aren’t you glad He picked you?

Agape,

Bob