How to know if you are called or chosen

This question has often passed my mind, I've lived most of my life believing that being chosen and called are the same thing and in many ways they are. I have now realized the difference and want to share that. This question was inspired from the verse in Matthew 22:14, where Jesus tells us how many are called but few are chosen. Today's blog just outlines the difference between being called and chosen, and acts as a guideline to finding out where you fit in. I encourage you to read Matthew 22: 1-14 to understand the whole passage.

In context to this passage, being called is an invitation that God sent out to us to follow Him. God calls us to repent and recieve the Holy Spirit and when you have recieved His salvation you can never lose it.

Everyone is called in different ways, these are the following examples of being called: (please note these are not the only two examples there are more ways God can call you)

• a feeling of something missing in your life: Some people go through a moment where nothing can satisfy the numb feeling in their heart or a feel as though something more can happen in their lives. Going to Christ has made them feel whole and fulfilled.

• turning to Christ during a difficult situation: It is not a secret that God sometimes uses pain and tribulations to bring you closer to Him, looking to Christ during those times can increase your faith and strengthen your relationship with Him.

What we do with this calling determines whether we are chosen or not.

Being chosen is the act of responding and accepting God's invitation, obeying and following Him. The reason why Jesus said "a few are chosen" is because not everyone wants to go through the sacrifice of obeying God. Obeying and giving up your life for God makes you chosen.

While reading Matthew 22:11-14, we see how the man with no wedding clothes was thrown out into "outer darkness", he was called to the feast, but because he was not dressed in proper clothing he was kicked out. We can assume it was customary to attend royal events with your best clothing, the man not doing so was a sign of disrespect to the King. The man answered the call, but did not put in the work of dressing himself and preparing himself for the banquet. This is how he remained called and this is how many Chirstians today remain called, we have been called to accept Christ, but just answering the call is not enough, we have to put in the work, we need to obey, sacrifice ourselves and live for Christ, this is what separates the called from the chosen, the called recieve God's call, but the chosen accept it and live for God. One can become called if they fully accept God's call and put in the work.

How does one accept God's call?

Well, first you need to repent, you need to be in a place where you can accept God's call and you can't do that while you're committed to your life of sin. Then you need to sacrifice yourself (aka "your flesh"), this is a daily task and it takes some time to master it, you need to remove bad habits and live for Christ throughout the day, you do this by obeying Him and spending time with Him. More importantly, pray. Pray for God to help you live for Him, pray for Him to give you the desire to sacrifice yourself and put Him first in your life. As hard as it may be, it is possible through Christ and it is worth it.

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I hope this has helped and gave more understanding to what being chosen means, maybe this is a sign to finally accept God's call in your life. You can contact me for any questions or advice as this is my first blog.