What It Means To Be Chosen by God

What does it mean to be chosen by God?

To be chosen by Him means we have special value, identity, and purpose. To be chosen by God is a fundamental identity element of every believer but also implies an immense responsibility to fulfill the God-given purpose.

What It Means to Be Chosen by God

We must know and understand what God chose us for, and devote ourselves to our heavenly calling.

Here are 7 major purposes, callings, and missions for which God has chosen us. We can trace them from the Old to the New Testament and better understand who we are.

We are chosen to know and believe in God, imitate Him, be filled with Him, and glorify Him. He chose us as His treasured possession forever.

We are chosen to know and believe in God, imitate Him, be filled with Him, and glorify Him. He chose us as His treasured possession forever. #Biblestudy #encouragement #purpose #identity Share on X

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#1 Chosen by God for a Righteous Life

Let’s look at the Old Testament when God chose Abraham and his descendants to be His own people through a covenant. Since Abraham is the father of faith and we are all children of Abraham, if we put our faith in the Lord, His words are also relevant to us:

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” (Genesis 18-19)

God has chosen us for a righteous and holy life as a reflection and product of our relationship with Him. Such a godly life of obedience is a prerequisite to inheriting His promises.

God has chosen us for a righteous and holy life as a reflection and product of our relationship with Him. #chosen #faith #trustGod #encouragemen Share on X

#2 Chosen by God to Know and Trust Him

It is impossible to keep the ways of the Lord if we don’t know Him: His character, what He hates, what He loves, what He deems evil and what good, how He acts, and what He expects from us. That’s why the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah:

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. (Isaiah 43:10)

Knowing God, believing Him, and understanding who He is makes us His witnesses. This is an awesome calling and responsibility.

#3 Chosen by God to Stand in the Gap and Intercede

To be chosen by God means to have a special responsibility as His royal priesthood.

^“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

As royal priests, we not only declare and bear witness to the praises of the Living God, but we also have the responsibility to stand in the gap and intercede for our families, nations, and the world. We can do this because we have access to the throne of glory and God hears our prayers.

“Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” (Psalm 4:3)

#4 Chosen by God to Bear Fruit

In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ shares a fundamental truth with His disciples:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.”(John 15:16)

God chose us first. What an amazing truth to keep in our hearts! We turned to Him because He first chose us.

His will for us is to be fruitful and exhibit the spiritual fruit of His Holy Spirit at work in our hearts and lives. God wants to adore us with beautiful treasures for eternity, born from the union with His Spirit.

#5 Chosen by God to Imitate Him

The apostles also understood the importance and implications of what it means to be chosen by God.

For example, in Ephesians chapter 5, apostle Paul gives several practical implications of our lives as chosen. The first one is the call to imitate God.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love.” (Ephesians 5:1)

Imitating God implies most of all walking in the way of love. As recipients of God’s unconditional love, grace, and compassion, we are to love others with the same love.

#6 Chosen by God to Live as Children of Light

The Bible calls the chosen ones light in the Lord or children of light. This implies a certain way of life, too.

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.” (Ephesians 8:10)

This way of life is a life of seeking, knowing, and doing God’s will and prioritizing the things that please Him.

#7 Chosen by God to Be Filled with the Spirit

Finally, God has chosen us not only to seal us with His Spirit for eternity but also to fill us with His Spirit continuously.

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18-19)

Filling with the Spirit means we get more of God, so we can decrease and He can increase, transforming us more and more into the image of Christ, and making our identity complete.

More Helpful Resources for You

If you need more resources to encourage you and help you live worthy of your calling as God’s chosen in any circumstance, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

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Your Turn

Which of these 7 purposes and callings of being chosen by God resonated most with you? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

What does it mean to be chosen by God? Here are 7 major purposes, callings, and missions for which God has chosen us. #Biblestudy #encouragement #chosen #purpose Share on X

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