Lifestyle Evangelism is . . . Knowing Who Chose Who.

Do you remember as a child being on the playground at recess and all gathering to pick teams to play some sport? Do you remember that it seemed as if it was always your best friend who was one of those who always got to pick? Do your remember how you always chose to be on her team? Do you also remember that it really did not matter if you chose to be on her team or not? What mattered was whether or not she chose you to be on her team.

There are some people who can tell you the day, date, and time that they “chose” Jesus to be their personal Savior. There are some that will tell you that not only have they chosen Jesus to be their Savior, they have “dedicated” their lives to Him. They have made Him the Lord of their life. Perhaps they are trying to say that they believe in Jesus as their Savior.

As Lutheran Christians, we know who chose who. We know that, similar to its not being important as to whose side we choose to be on in a sporting event, it is not important that we “choose” Jesus. As a matter of fact, we even confess, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him” (cf. 1 Cor. 2:14; 12:3; Rom. 8:7; Eph. 2:8,9). What is important is that He chose us. We confidently confess, “But the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

What great comfort we can find in the thought that it was not we who chose God, but God who chose us. This truth is of great comfort because we know that God keeps His Word. If God says it, we can believe it. If God says it, it will happen. When God chooses us, we know that we are His, and we can rest assured that He will do everything He can to strengthen and keep us in faith until Jesus comes to take us from this earth to be with Himself in heaven for eternity.

What great joy to share with others that God chose us and that He has already chosen them, too.

25 of 52 © Rev. Ronald A. Bogs