“Elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to
obedience….” I Peter 1:2
“Elect… to
obedience.” Our “election”
is the result of the inner spiritual potential that the Lord sees to be within
us. In “foreknowledge” He knows
those who will respond to Him in submissive, willing obedience.
“If you be willing and obedient,
you shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:19
He then
chooses, or “elects” those who, in
foreknowledge, He sees to have the capacity and fortitude to fulfill the
potential that is hidden, deep within them.
The Lord
is at work, preparing those who, with a pure heart toward Him, willingly “choose” to rise above all of the pressures and
problems of their life circumstances. This requires of us a determined “set of spirit,” and “heart obedience.”
“For the kingdom of heaven is as a
man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to
them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another
one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his
journey.” Matthew 25:14-15
Through
“foreknowledge,” the Lord knew before we
were born, the choices that we would make (to
every man according to his several ability).
Therefore, He quietly guides us accordingly, toward His will and purpose for
us.
“I have compared you, O My love, to
a company of horses in Pharaoh’s chariots.” Song of Solomon 1:9
This
becomes a very powerful and penetrating compliment when it is properly
understood. Pharaoh was the greatest of the world’s rulers at that
time. His agents were sent throughout the known world to seek immature
ponies with “potential.” From
among these, the horses that would pull Pharaoh’s chariot were prepared through
intense, progressive training and discipline.
Then at
special times, these carefully chosen horses were harnessed to the chariot of
Pharaoh, and in a resplendent demonstration of earthly beauty, power, and harmony, they brought forth
the king into full view, displaying him in his regal glory.
So also,
the Lord is preparing those whom He sees (foreknowledge)
to have a potential to be “harnessed”
to the chariot of the King of all kings, and then in a resplendent
demonstration of heavenly beauty,
power, and harmony, they will bring Him forth “in
that day,” in all of His regal glory to be openly displayed before the
nations.
“But you shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me both in
Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the
earth.” Acts 1:8
Notice
that this “witness” is not what we are
doing, but rather, what we have become.
“For many are called, but few are
chosen.” Matthew 22:14
I have
opened my life to the Lord and He responded. In “foreknowledge,” He saw my life committed to Him, and this
article being written, many years later.
While
praying alone an “election” had taken
place, and from that day,
my life was altered and directed by the Lord even though I was not aware of
it. The circumstances or things that could have frustrated or hindered
His plan and purpose for my life were being channeled or altered by the Lord.
Through
“foreknowledge,” the Lord saw that I
would choose Him and rightly respond, and therefore, His “election” was established upon my life.
The Lord
knows the intent of our heart (all that we
desire to be and have), and “if”
we will yield this to His higher purpose for us. Thus, His “election” is not an arbitrary choice that is
made by Him, but rather, it is the result of the fact that He sees the end from
the beginning in each of our lives. He is the Alpha and the Omega.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to
this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Romans 12:1-2
There is
much that will be required of us, and the Lord knows whether we will rightly
respond or not.
“To him that overcomes will I grant...” Revelation 3:21
For us
to “overcome,” means that we will
rightly respond to the Lord and “rise above”
all that could hinder our walk with Him.
“Now therefore, if you will obey My
voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me
above all the people: for all the earth is Mine: And you shall be to Me a
kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. These are the words which you
shall speak to the children of Israel. Moses came and called for the elders of
the people, and laid before their faces all these words... and all the people answered together and said, All
that the Lord has spoken we will do.” Exodus 19:5-8
Today, I
am serving the Lord, because He remembered the commitment I had forgotten. Except for His
foreknowledge and election, I would not be in the relationship to Him that I
presently have.
“For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to good works….”
Ephesians 2:10
I was
now “His workmanship” and the Lord was
very busy, working deep within my life circumstances. I had come into the
ownership of a very prosperous business, but somehow, I was feeling that there
must be something more to life.
The Lord
had placed this desire within me, as He knew that when the right time came, I
would give Him specific permission to break into my life and do as He
pleases. He is the “workman,” but
He will not work within our personal lives unless we give Him permission to do
so.
Each one
of us has a testimony as to how the Lord apprehended our lives, and how His “election” brought us to where we are, at this
present time.
May our
Lord’s “election” upon your life have
its full outworking, as you give Him permission to take you beyond your present
spiritual experience, so you can have your part in being harnessed to the
chariot of the King of all kings, to bring Him forth into open view, as every knee
bows.
