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Am I called but not necessarily chosen?

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javajoe:


There is something I need to resolve, and I am hoping to get some answers.

I came to Christ in 1984, not through a "sinner's prayer" (although I tried that approach several times), but just by a "quickening" of faith while in prayer and praise with my brother.

Although I am definately a believer and feel God working in my life, I have always had a problem with "assurance" of salvation., that others claim they have.  I couldn't absolutely tell someone in all honesty that I would go to heaven if a died right now.

My question is, can we, as believers, have the absolute assurance that we are one of the chosen, or do we just wait and hope for this,knowing that God will eventaully "reconcile Himself" to us?  It does say in scripture that, "he who endures to the end, the same shall be saved".  Am I off the mark here?  The bottom line is that I need to come to terms with the faith and understanding of Scripture that I do have, and live it honestly. 

Ciao

chuckt:
chosen=elect  same exact word in greek.

so:

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

2Pe 1:5 ¶ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;


 2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;


 2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness LOVE.


 2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make [you that ye shall] neither [be] barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 2Pe 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.


 2Pe 1:10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:


 2Pe 1:11  For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.





the fact you are asking the question proves you are chosen. so now walk in it!!!


inlove
chuckt

jacieleigh:
God is so much bigger than we can even imagine. You desired God and He desires you.Rest in the knowledge that God has it all!

dawnnnny:
Hi Joe,

I struggle with this question too.  I'm still not sure if we can ever be 100% assured.  I read those verses (thanks Chuck) and then ask myself, well yes...I see a lot of that in me but I fall short in so many ways (as we all do) - so it begs the question (which I hate) - Am I good enough yet?  And if I am, will I stay that way?  ??? ??? ???  But of course, its not about being good enough - but that's what my carnal mind still wants to think, when my spirit knows better!

It all leads back to that feeling of having to do the work ourselves (again, a part of that free will thing).  Since reading though, on the BT site, I'm starting to see that God is faithful and when my carnal mind still fights with doing the work myself (its not an overnight change), I'm remaining hopeful that God will purge out everything that still remains.  I thank Him for that because I know He is MY ONLY HOPE.

How many Christians walk their walk and can really answer that question "If you died today, would you go to heaven?" (ohhhh the bondage of that famous question!)   Well we now know when we die, we sleep.  So I guess the new question is "what will we be resurrected to?"  Are we one of the chosen, or just one of the called????   I've been the prodigal daughter several times in the last 20 years but I see that HE keeps DRAGGING me back to His Word.  Can you be called (BACK) 50+ times in 20 years?   ;)

So I don't have an answer for you.  This is my experience.  For me, I'm not going to worry about being chosen.  I'm in awe at this time in my life that's He's brought me to today.  I'm hopeful.  And I leave the rest in His hands.

Much Love,
Dawn

skydreamers:
Hi Javajoe,

The way I see it is:

there's a big difference in having confidence while running the race and aspiring to win

and

running the race with confidence that you've already won it....

The first confidence still keeps you on your toes and ever reaching for the goal.

The second confidence is dangerous because it has the potential for arrogance and complacency.


I think this is why we read:

You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Message)

and

Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins.
Hebrews 12:1 (Message)

Only God knows who His chosen are, but let's run the race like we want to be part of that group.

Peace,
Diana

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