The Encourager
“Election by God: Israel's and Ours”
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!
