Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today we’ll celebrate the fact that we’re chosen by God.

Today’s scripture, 1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 (KJV), declares…
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Consider…
Growing up, I used to play football or basketball with guys from my neighborhood. The game began by choosing two captains, who in turn took turns picking players for their team. The best players were chosen first, and everyone hoped they weren’t the last player chosen, or not picked at all.

In John 15:16 (NLT), Jesus, our captain, told His disciples…
You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

Imagine being chosen by God!

But even more amazing, imagine being chosen to be God’s friend (John 15:13-15). That’s the context of Jesus’ statement in John 15:16, friendship.

However, before we get a big-head about Jesus choosing us, we should pay attention to why He picked us. The verse says, we’re to “go and produce lasting fruit.” He explains what that fruit is in the Great Commission, which says…
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 NLT

Jesus tells us, who are His disciples, to make more disciples like ourselves. Also known as fruit bearing fruit after it’s kind.

There’s something we must remember in our fruit bearing/disciple making efforts, which is that we must remain connected to Jesus Christ. Jesus explained it this way…
Stay joined to me and I will stay joined to you. No branch can produce fruit alone. It must stay connected to the vine. It is the same with you. You cannot produce fruit alone. You must stay joined to me. “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I to you, you will produce plenty of fruit. But separated from me you won’t be able to do anything. – John 15:4‭-‬5 ERV

Now let’s go back to the fact that Jesus said He chose us. The Holy Spirit gave me three important truths to remember about being chosen…

• Choosing is The Chooser’s prerogative. (Matthew 20:1-16). Jesus’ disciples weren’t the religious elite, rather they were nobody’s who would tell everybody about somebody who could save anybody. Don’t worry about who else God chooses, just be thankful He chose you too.
• The Chooser picks people for a purpose. Ephesians 2:10 says we were chosen to spend our lives doing His preplanned good things. And today’s scripture says that we were chosen to “shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light”. We should be living in such a way that when people see the good things we do, they can’t help but to praise God. (Matthew 5:16)
• Lastly, choosing reveals The Chooser’s heart. Meaning, The Chooser picks based on how He feels about those He chooses. That’s good news because He chose all of us based on His love for us. He did this even though we were sinners living against Him. (Romans 5:6-8). In fact, God loved and chose us before He made the world. (Ephesians 1:4)

The Holy Spirit is compelling me to clarify, that although Jesus said we didn’t choose Him, He only chooses friends from those who choose to love and obey Him. In fact Jesus said, “You are my friends if you do what I tell you to do.” – John 15:14 ERV.

Also, the Holy Spirit is emphasizing that we’re chosen to make disciples by inspiring others the same way the Apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians 11:1 (ERV). He said…
Follow my example, just as I follow the example of Christ.

You see, while it’s important we teach with our words, it’s more important that we teach with our lives. That’s because more lessons are caught, by what others see, than taught, by what others hear.

That means, we’re to be Christ’s role models to others, as we live our lives for Him. 2 Corinthians 5:15 (ERV) exhorts…
He died for all so that those who live would not continue to live for themselves. He died for them and was raised from death so that they would live for him.

So you see, we’re chosen by God to inspire others to want to become His friends too.

The last thing the Holy Spirit is showing me is that sinners are saved, but friends are chosen. Once we’re saved, the Lord wants us to become His friends. The difference is, being saved happens by confessing and believing Jesus is Lord, but being a friend-disciple happens by loving and obeying Jesus as Lord! That’s what He chose us to do, grow from knowing He is Lord to loving Him as Lord.

Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with God. Is He still just your Savior, or has He chosen you to be His friend? Your love and obedience will reveal the answer. It’s wonderful to be saved, but it’s truly a different level and good thing to be chosen!

Shout out to my sister, and Heart, Renee for inspiring today’s message by introducing me to today’s song….
A Good Thing To Be Chosen

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)