Who’s in Control, You or God?
Put on then, as God’s chose ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. (Colossians 3:12)
The Biblical concept of "the elect," or "the chosen" holds a place of confusion and misunderstanding within the Christian community. The key to the Presbyterian understanding of being chosen comes down to the idea that God chooses us rather than our choosing God. When the evangelicals ask, "Have you chosen Jesus as your Lord and Savior?" they misunderstand the Old and New Testaments. Deuteronomy 23:5 states, "The Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the Lord your God loved you." We couldn't heal ourselves. In John 15:16, the New Testament is just as clear: "You did not choose me, but I chose you!"
God's choosing us changes our understanding of our role with God. For example, if we choose God, believer baptism is the appropriate response. Waiting to be baptized until we can accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior puts us in control of our salvation. Infant baptism is a Biblical response because it isn't about our choosing but God's choosing to guide the child to the font. It is exciting to realize that God cares enough to bring us into a covenant relationship with the Godhead. Jeremiah confirms this belief in chapter 1, verse 5, "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you." Next to these Scripture passages, it feels wrong to insinuate we can choose God.
The challenge becomes one of understanding the role of human freedom. We can indeed choose to ignore our identity as God's chosen. Yet, that doesn't mean that God accepts our stupidity and arrogance. Despite our foolishness, God often keeps us close and retains our elect status. There is comfort in knowing God's commitment to us is not based on our current thoughts. Thankfully, God's love and dedication are more significant than our weak human mind can grasp.
Today, offer a prayer of thanksgiving for God's commitment to you. Think about what it means that God knows you and wants to be in a relationship with you now and always. Then, take some time and consider what it means that God controls your life. Freedom and baptism are just a few themes to consider as you seek to honor God for loving you. We should respond by thanking God weekly in worship and continuing our relationship through prayer and caring for others. Our choice doesn't come from choosing God but from deciding how to praise the one who gives us life, now and always.