“CHOSEN,”

means literally a choosing out, a picking out, a selection.

For example, “…His calling and choosing you…“-{2 Peter 1:10}. “ For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,..“-{1 Thess 1:4} .Paul was “…a Chosen instrument of Mine“- The LORD Jesus said.-{Acts 9:15}.

“Ekloge”- (from eklegomai  in turn from ek = out + lego = select, choose, eklegomai meaning to choose or select for oneself,…God’s “choice of you” both refer to God’s selection of believers. In the passive sense ekloge refers to God’s selection for a purpose or task. In other words it represents a special choice as in this passage when God refers to Paul as “My chosen instrument” (Acts 9:15). Jesus chose Saul before Saul chose Jesus. Jesus described the mission in general terms (to bear fruit that would remain) to His original disciples

“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)”-{preceptaustin commentaries}

Paul Chosen To Be SAVED.

Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”  And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said“I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank…So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;  and he took food and was strengthened. ” -{Acts 9:1-9,17-19}

Paul Chosen Before His Birth.

“But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace “-{Gal 1:15}

Believers Chosen For Salvation.

 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. “-{2 Thess 2:13}

Believers Chosen For Salvation Before The Foundation of the world;{The beginning of time}

“just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. ” -{Eph 1:4}

Paul Chosen To SERVE.

Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel

Jeremiah was Chosen Before Birth For Service

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart  and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.-{Jer 1:5 NLT}

The Disciples were Chosen to Be Spiritually fruitful in Service -“You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.” – {John 15:16}

The Believers were Chosen to Proclaim the Excellencies of Christ- “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nationa people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ” – {1 Peter 2:9}

Paul Chosen To SUFFER.

“.. But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him HOW MUCH HE MUST SUFFER FOR MY NAME’S SAKE.” -{Acts 9:10-16}.

Believers Chosen To SUFFER;

For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,  experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.”-{Phil 1;29-30}.

Response To SUFFERING;

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. if you are reviled for the Name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this Name. – {1 Peter 2:12-16}.

Spiritual Growth Through SUFFERING

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen “-{ 1 Peter 5:10-11}.

SUFFERING For Christ Has It’s Rewards!

” Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”- {Matt 5:10-12}.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN

SALVATION, SERVICE, SUFFERING!