BIBLICAL BRIEFS 16
Some translations, such as the Bible in Basic English and The Message, handle this verse from a Calvinistic viewpoint as referring to salvation, and that salvation in this sense is only meant for certain individuals: “For out of all to whom the good news has come, only a small number will get salvation.” (BBE). And: “That’s what I mean when I say, ‘Many get invited; only a few make it.’” (MSG). This is however, totally misleading. That which is regarded by the traditional church-doctrine to be “Unconditional Election”, leads to an understanding that this term could not remotely be applied to salvation because, “the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Tit. 2:11). The term ‘chosen’ is only applicable to the Bride, thóse who choose to walk in their divine purpose and high calling. The chosen or remnant is written up in the book of life – that Book is called Jesus the Christ. Nevertheless, it is possible that your name could be erased from that book (Rev. 3:5) if you do not fulfill your purpose and high calling.Thís does not imply that you will also lose your salvation! However, chosenness has nothing to do with salvation, although salvation (= also your choice, Joh. 1:12) becomes a prerequisite in order to identify your chosenness, as “a divinely implanted, sense of a purpose working through the ages” (Eccl. 3:11, AMP). Divine calling is explained in a simplistic manner in Rom. 8:28 – there are specific persons “who are called according to His purpose”. The term ‘purpose’, in Greek, translates as ‘prothesis’, which amongst others means: “a setting forth of a thing, placing of it in view” and is derived from the root word, which literally means “to be positioned afore time”! God is calling (Rom. 9:11; 1 Pet. 5:10), and man answers by making a choice (Deut. 30:19; Ps.119:173; Prov. 1:29). Clearly, this calling can only be coupled to chosenness if a person reacts to the call(ing)! The Bride has been chosen “from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thess. 2:13-14). The Bride is therefore chosen “according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Pet. 1:2). Thus – many have been called, but alas, few have been chosen, because they did not choose God’s calling on their lives.
Dr. Tom Gouws
