“For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

Who is called? The Greek word translated “church”, in the New Testament,  ekklesia, means “a called-out assembly.” So it’s “the church” who is called. And, who is part of the church, the congregation, the body? “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;” (Ephesians 4:4). “Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:16). This tells me God had a plan for us even before we were born and wrote His plans down! So, we are part of the Body and are all called.

But Matthew 22 says, “few are chosen”. What’s up with that? Several places in the Bible, it mentions “free will”, the fact that God will give us gifts and will direct our paths but He gives us the choice, free will, to use those gifts or follow His leading. We may be called but we have the choice to be one of the chosen.

God called Moses to deliver His people from Egypt. “I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I…” (Exodus 3:1-11). Moses had a choice to make but had some excuses.  Then, there was Gideon: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:14-15). Gideon wasn’t the best but God called him.

God has called many of us as well. How are we answering? The song, “Nobody” by Casting Crowns says, “Moses had stage fright. David brought a rock to a sword fight.” They both were called but made the decision to be the chosen and God did great things through them. He wants to do great things through us as well.  So we have choices. First, get saved. Second, realize you’re called and equipped. Third, step out and say like Isaiah did, “Here I am. Send me.” (Isaiah 6:8). You are called…be the chosen!