The call to the chosen

2 John 13 The children of your chosen sister greet you. The letter closes with a similar greeting as was given in the introduction. Remember, John called his recipients, “the chosen lady and her children.” The church where John lived was a chosen sister to the chosen lady. Each “lady” had children who were the elect of God. Their election united them as family with a common love for Christ and for each other. What a wonderful and amazing image we are given in the Scriptures of the universal church throughout history. God chose a family for Himself in Christ from the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:3-6 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 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. John called these beloved children of God the chosen. It’s not like we might choose a handful of jelly beans out of a bowl, perhaps based on our favorite color or taste. No, before God created anything, in eternity past, He and the Son created a family, among whom Jesus would be the firstborn. Or we could think of it this way. God created a bride for His Son like He created a bride for Adam. We were chosen in love, adopted in love, and filled with love for one another to the praise of the glory of His grace. This great truth encourages me to honor my brothers and sisters in Christ as God honors them. They are each special because God set His affection on them and called them His own, even as He did me. Our being chosen wasn’t based on anything in us, but solely on His love for His Son through whom we were created and exist. It’s mysterious and glorious. I wish for everyone listening to my voice that they might believe in and know the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Listen to the Father’s call from 2 Cor. 6:17-18. Therefore, “Come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. and do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” says the Lord Almighty. So he calls His chosen to leave the family of the world and come to Him. The world with its idolatries, controlled by an antichrist spirit, is unclean to God. He’s calling you to forsake your earthly gods and agendas, including yourself, and separate yourself from them and give yourself to Him—lock, stock, and barrel, so to speak. He promises to welcome you and be a father to you. You will experience His love and forgiveness for ignoring Him and living for yourself. He will give you the spirit of His Son to dwell with and in you. He will give you a new purpose and joy in life—living to love with Jesus for the joy of your Father in heaven. To all who respond, I greet you. Welcome to the chosen.