God Chose You

“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

“You need to make a decision for Christ!” It’s common to hear phrases like that in Christianity, isn’t it? It’s phrased in different ways: “You need to accept Jesus.” Or, “you need to open up your heart to Christ.” Or, “it’s time for you to make the personal decision to receive Jesus as your Savior.” We hear that so often that we start to take it for granted: Being a Christian means choosing Christ, right?

No! The Bible says the opposite: “God chose you.” Our relationship with God isn’t based on our decision to choose God. It’s based on God’s decision to choose us. God chose you!

How? Did God choose us because he knew that we would one day choose him? No! Did God choose us because we’re better than other people? No way! God chose us “through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” Our faith isn’t the product of our personal decision. Our faith is the result of the Holy Spirit working in our hearts with God’s truth. The Holy Spirit uses the gospel message of Jesus’ death and resurrection to create faith in Jesus in our hearts. God chose you!

Isn’t that better than us choosing God? If our relationship with Jesus depended on our decision to choose him, couldn’t we just as easily un-choose him? If our relationship with Jesus depended on our personal conviction, what about all the days when we are filled with doubts? If our relationship with Jesus depended on us opening up our hearts to him, our salvation would depend on us, not on Jesus.

But God chose you. Salvation is not by your strength. It’s not by your decision. It’s by the grace of God. He loves you! He loves you so much that he chose you to be saved through the Holy Spirit. He loves you so much that he allows you to hear the gospel and believe in his truth.

Brothers and sisters, loved by the Lord, take comfort in these three words: God chose you!

Dear Holy Spirit, don’t let me take credit for your work by thinking that my faith is a result of my decision. Please strengthen my faith by working in my heart through your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Nathan