Election by God: Israel’s and Ours

By Jeff Curtis

God chose Israel, or elected Israel to be His special people. Through the prophet Amos, He said, “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth” (Amos 3:2). He didn’t choose them because of their goodness or greatness, rather, in His sovereign will, He determined that they would receive the gracious blessing of being His own people, therefore, He made a covenant with them. His election didn’t solely bestow blessings upon Israel; it also gave them responsibilities. It required them to obey God and to be a blessing to others. Because they failed to live up to the requirements of the covenant, God had determined to punish them.

Christians today have also been called, chosen, or elected by God to be His special people (2Timothy 1:9; 1Peter 2:5,9). God didn’t choose us because of our goodness or greatness; rather, we were saved by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) when we responded in faith and obedience to His call (Acts 22:16; Romans 10:13; 2Thessalonians 2:14). Neither was our calling just a means of providing blessings for us. We were chosen to serve, to glorify God and to bless mankind. If we don’t live up to our calling, we can expect to be condemned. It’s up to us to “be… diligent to make our calling and election sure” (2Peter 1:10). If we fail to do so, we can expect to be punished even more severely than those who have never experienced the blessing of being among God’s people (Luke 12:47-48; 2Peter 2:20-22).

Walking Together

Amos asked, “Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?” (3:3). This question is the first in a series of rhetorical questions. The prophet was not trying to teach that Israel must walk in God’s way to ne pleasing to Him. But, the question can be used to illustrate the need for agreement in differing human relationships. One speaker used it to demonstrate the need for harmony in our social and family relationships, and especially in spiritual matters. From a spiritual standpoint, we need to be united with one another, but that can only happen if we are united with Christ.

Meditate on this:

Deuteronomy 5:29

Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

Apathy

By Ethan Tidwell

Apathy is defined as a lack of interest or concern about something. In the context of Christian faith, it often manifests as a disinterest in serving God and participating in worship. Some Christians may find themselves going through the motions of worship, lacking genuine engagement. As John 4:24 reminds us, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” Without heartfelt participation, worship can become vain and unfulfilling.

Moreover, some individuals may abandon church services altogether. Hebrews 10:25 cautions against forsaking the “assembly of saints.” When Christians choose not to gather with their fellow brethren, they not only neglect their own spiritual growth but also isolate themselves from the support and fellowship of the brethren. It's important to note that missing church due to illness or genuine circumstances is not the same as making a conscious decision to forsake gathering. Choosing to prioritize other activities over worship can lead to spiritual apathy and, ultimately, sin.

Apathy can also extend to our relationships with fellow Christians. James 2:15-16 addresses the importance of action in faith, illustrating the inadequacy of merely offering comforting words to those in need. True faith is demonstrated through deeds; simply expressing hope for someone’s well-being without taking steps to help them signifies a deeper lack of care.

The danger of apathy cannot be overstated. It can lead individuals away from a vibrant faith and, ultimately, jeopardize their spiritual well-being. Recognizing and addressing feelings of apathy is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship with God and fellow Christians.

Meditate on this:

Numbers 22:18

Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more.