Divine Selection

Jack Binner

• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781098069056
• eBook ISBN: 9781098069063
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Theology

Jesus said in Matthew's Gospel, "For many are called but few are chosen." This statement by our Lord is somewhat confusing to many biblically oriented people. Paul, in his first letter to Corinth, wrote, "No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual." Paul wrote these truths to the Corinthians in 2: 11–13. Therefore, as Paul said, we can compare spiritual things by comparing Bible verses with other verses in God's word. As we do, we gain a greater understanding.This book, Divine Selection, examines many New Testament scriptures in order to make spiritual comparisons. I believe that any person who reads Divine Selection will come to understand Jesus's words, "For many are called but few are chosen." Your old friend in Christ, Jack Binner

Bible Verses

I have spoken of God’s election process enough. Now it is time to look into God’s word and consider what was written by divine inspiration. Before we begin in the New Testament, I want to consider some words that Isaiah wrote.

“And he (God) said, Go and tell this people, hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” (Isaiah 6:9–10)

It seems obvious to me that God was speaking to Isaiah about some Jewish people who were not chosen for forgiveness.

“At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them unto babes.” (Matthew 11:25)

God reveals Himself unto those He desires and hides His divine forgiveness from others. From Jesus’s words, we gather that many intelligent and self-disciplined people are not called. But rather, many average God-fearing people are called into His fold.

In our day, most colleges have atheistic, liberal professors. Their influence has produced a multitude of young people like themselves. America has changed. I feel that our education system has done a great deal of damage. Among our government’s elected officials now are many liberal atheists. These dead beats created a huge welfare system that houses and feeds people who are too lazy to work. Most of welfare folks are atheists. America has really changed since I was a boy. Fifty years ago, people worked for a living. They took their children to Sunday school and church on Sunday morning. People who do this today are slowly becoming a minority.

In my mother’s family, there were seven children. My mom and her two sisters went to a Bible camp for young people. Through the camp’s ministry, they gave their hearts to the Lord. My mother’s one sister even grew up to become a missionary to the people in Japan. My mother and her sisters are all now in heaven. Being the old guy that I am, I am really anxious to be with my mother again.

My mother’s brothers were a whole different story. Three of her brothers went to college. Two, of the three, went on to earn doctor’s degrees. All three of the college boys became teachers. One of the three brothers never earned a doctor’s degree. However, he was a high school teacher. The two doctor degree boys eventually became college professors. All of these three brothers were totally in opposition to the word of God. Now isn’t that amazing? My mother’s other brother attended the type of church that has a reputation of not preaching the word of God. These churches don’t teach people about their sinful condition and need for forgiveness. Bible church folks call these types of churches liberal churches. I am not sure if my uncle was ever born again. I’ll discover his eternal condition by and by.

“And the disciples came and said unto him (Jesus), why do you speak to them in parables? He answered them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.” (Matthew 13:10–11)

If we read down a little farther in this chapter, Jesus goes on to say, “Therefore I speak to them in parables: because they seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which says, by hearing you shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you shall see and shall not perceive.” So I would ask, why did Jesus teach some folks in an understandable manner and others He taught using parables? Before creation, God examined every human heart. God loves some people and He wrote their names into the Lamb’s Book of Life. Other folks do not fit His divine perspective.

“And Simon Peter answered and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, blessed are you Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:16–17)

So Peter’s heart knew that Jesus is God’s Son. This revelation happened because our heavenly Father opened Peter’s heart. God gave Peter the ability to understand spiritual truths. Peter’s understanding had nothing to do with someone telling him that Jesus is the Son of God.

“And again I (Jesus) say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it they were exceedingly amazed, saying who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:24–26)

I gather from this verse again that God illuminates some people’s hearts. You can discuss and argue with an unbeliever until you are blue in the face. If God is not speaking to that person’s heart, there will be no repentance. God gives the increase.

Many people, who are wealthy, dedicate their whole lives to financial gain. All they care about is here and now. They have no thoughts or interest in what will happen when they die. The common theory, in our world today, is that when you die, you are going to a better place. Over the years, I learned of a few rich folks who loved God. They dedicated their wealth to help needy people. A man named William Colgate loved God and tithed five-tenths of his income for the Lord’s work.

Jesus said, “so the last shall be first, and the first shall be last: for many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 20:16)

Prior to this verse, Jesus was telling a story about a man who hired laborers to work in his vineyard. At the end of the day, the vineyard owner paid all the laborers he had hired. He paid those wh...

Table of contents

• Divine Election
• Bible Verses
• Free Will Verses