Many are Called

by Ron Wilkerson

I have noticed in my time many people are bothered by predestination and it usually arises from the Apostle Paul's teaching while imprisoned in Rome. Romans 8:29-30 (NASB) ^[29] For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ^[30] and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. 

This scripture seems confounding at first glance. I mean if God foreknew who would choose Him, then is life not just going through the motions? Is everything we do only for the here and now; then we just die so eat, drink and be merry. Hopefully Jesus foreknew us so that we might spend eternity with him or this life just a dismal existence without purpose and then we burn in eternity forever. Is this fair?

Yes it actually is fair. I can already hear those thoughts out there saying that a loving, benevolent God will never condemn anyone to hell; He will simply just extinguish there existance. Not so dear friends, He is a God of perfect justice as well as a God of perfect grace and love. Since the Bible was written by men under inspiration of the Holy Spirit there must be an answer and in fact there is a great answer. 

Jesus makes the point very clear in HIS OWN WORDS. Matthew 22:14 (NASB) "For many are called, but few are chosen." He said this in the temple shortly before His crucifixion and this was his ending. Some of us know this verse as the last part of a larger parable of a marriage feast. It goes like this....

Matthew 22:1-14 (NASB) ^[1] Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying, ^[2] "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. ^[3] "And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come. ^[4] "Again he sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast."' ^[5] "But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, ^[6] and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them. ^[7] "But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire. ^[8] "Then he said* to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. ^[9] 'Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.' ^[10] "Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests. ^[11] "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, ^[12] and he said* to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. ^[13] "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' ^[14] "For many are called, but few are chosen.  


Notice, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a feast and many were invited. These invited guests (all humankind) did not pay attention and went THEIR own way. They chose the things of this world over Christs invitation. They even killed Jesus servants for the invitation (testimony of the gospel). Jesus was enraged, so He sent His servants out to the highways to invite anyone they found, both the evil and the good (everyone is called). Many came to the feast so the entire hall was filled with guests. So, when the King (Jesus) came in to look over the guests, He found one not wearing proper wedding clothes (without the seal of the Holy Spirit guaranteed to all who claim Jesus as Lord). Notice Jesus, knowing what had to be done still called him Friend. This man came in the banquet without the proper clothes. This should give you pause I believe, for in my estimation this man "held to a form of godliness but denied the power thereof". We are commanded to turn from such people. We see what must be done to this man, for what part hath light with darkness? NONE, darkness must flee in the presence of Light! Remember, even though God knows the end from the beginning, He still gave you the right to choose.  Choose wisely brothers and sisters. 


I want you all to know that I pray for you at this late hour. Each and everyone of you from my Facebook friends to my family. Don't let this world choke the knowledge of the gospel from your life. Don't be persuaded to live life as if there is no God and you are not accountable. You will be held to account. Trust now in Jesus as your Lord and Savior while you still can do so. Now is the time. There may be no tomorrow for you.


Let me reason with you atheists out there... when has something ever come from nothing? Ever? I would recommend you read a story, Google it, called "I the Pencil". 


Until next time my loved one's, Be blessed and may the God of all mercy keep you in your way. 

Feel free to email me with any questions you may have at ron-wilkerson@att.net.


Shalom