Context:
John 15 - Some of Jesus last words to the disciples.
Ephesians 1 - Beginning of Paul's letter to expand their knowledge of God's purposes and grace
2 Thes 2 - Letter of Paul warning Thessalonians of false teachers
Text:
John 15 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.
Eph 1 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
2 Thes 2 13But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you[b] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings[c] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. (NIV)
taken from www.biblegateway.com
Have you ever waited on the sidelines to be chosen for a team? I was never athletic, so I usually waited a long time. I knew I would get chosen because the gym teacher oversaw the whole process, but the embarrassment of not being good enough started the moment team leaders were picked and pretty much stucks with me through the whole game. Especially when I did 'unathletic' things that justified the leader's desire not to pick me!
The Bible tells us that God chooses us. But we don't have to stand around wondering where we fall in the line up. He chooses us before we are born and he puts us right into the key parts of the game. He understands that we will falter and fail, but he is patient enough to use these times as lessons. The game is the longest one in history, and (shhhhhh!) it's fixed! God knows the outcome, and he wins.
Many of the players he picks will be frustrated with the plays God calls and they defect over to the team that looks like it's having more fun -- wild parties, spectacular plays, and that cocky sort of arrogance of a group that thinks it will win hands down. But God's plan is steady, and he uses the least likely players to persistently move the game forward. And he has a pinch hitter warming up in the bull pen that will cause all members of both teams to fall to their knees in awe.
God chose you for his team. You...with all your fears and failures. Make him proud! I hear there will be one heck of a victory celebration -- see you there!
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