Why Would He Choose Me?

Deuteronomy 7: 7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people

The nation of Israel is the apple of God's eye (Deut 32:10/Zechariah 2:8) and has always been. Some churches have embraced replacement theology, which without going into tons of detail basically says, "the church has replaced Israel as God's chosen people." I think a good reading of Romans 9-11 (and chapter 11 in particular) will dispel that myth and prove that God is not finished with the nation of Israel. And at some point in the not-too-distant future, the fullness of the Gentiles will have come in, and the focus will again turn to Jerusalem as the major center of salvific activity.

But God wanted to make sure that Israel understood her election status as God's chosen people. He wanted them to realize it had nothing to do with their prominence among the nations, their military might, or their influence on global affairs. God chose them because of His great love, and because of the covenant He initiated with the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). Just a brief survey of the book of Genesis will reveal that even the patriarchs were not without blemish. The New Testament especially places emphasis on the fact that Abraham was justified by "faith" and by no other means. The same is true of the New Testament Church. We have been saved by grace, through faith.

After God explained to them the basis of their election (in Deut.7:7-8), He then went on to describe the commandments that they were obligated to obey. Much like Romans 12:1 begins "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God..", and then follows with a list of practical commands of the Christian faith. Today dear friend, you can rejoice that God has chosen to have mercy on you, not because of anything you have done, but because of the grace of God. This grace is not a license to sin- as a matter of fact, it is a means of overcoming it (read Titus 2:11-12 and Jude 1:4). But it is a tremendous reminder that in all things we should rejoice in the Lord and thank Him for His grace!

Until next time...

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