Many are called, few are chosen?

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Permalink Reply by Lucas Bicknell on August 25, 2014 at 7:57pm

I would say that those called, but not chosen are the ones who hear the gospel/are given the chance to believe, but do not believe. Think about how many are evangelized to, but reject the gospel. This would fit with the other parables as well.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on August 26, 2014 at 9:33am

Tammy,

I believe understanding the specific words and looking at the context where both passages are found (noting that the Matthew 20 is in the KJV, but not in NIV or NASB) and staying within these passages will help with an basic understanding.

 

The word “Called” comes from the Greek word “kletos.” This word primarily means to “invite.” The word “Chosen” comes from the Greek word “eklektos.” This word primarily means to select, by implication favorite. If we go with a base understanding of one referring to inviting and the other as selecting and place it in context I believe we get the following.

 

At the market place the land owner invites people to work. All who accepted the job received the guaranteed wage. None were overlooked as all were paid. The ones who worked the full day were not happy with their wage, but none-the-less they received a full day’s wage, as did those who worked only a brief time. The key to this is not in the amount of the wage, but rather three things happened. 1) There was an invitation to join the work force. 2) At each stage of the day when the invitation was extended people responded. 3) At the end of the day they all received a full share. If we apply that to the offer of salvation we find that 1) The offer has gone out to many. 2) People have to respond to the offer. 3) Those who responded received a full share (or salvation if applied as a parable such as it is).

 

When we look at the wedding banquet we find that there are the same basic principles found there. 1) The invitation goes out. 2) People are given the opportunity to freely respond. Note that they are expected to accept and come, but not forced. We also see that failure to come has powerful consequences. 3) Those who responded to the invitation are received at the wedding. Again, if applied to salvation we find that there is 1) An invitation to come. 2) An opportunity to accept or reject the invitation. 3) Those who responded are welcomed at the banquet (saved) and those who rejected cannot come at a later time (acknowledging that the banquet is a final timeline event, thus no further opportunity available to them).

 

Not all will agree with this because of the predestination view points, but from the specific text I can only conclude that God Has extended His offer of salvation which is the call. God who is sovereign has given man the liberty to receive or reject that great salvation. When we receive (respond) the invitation we are selected or set apart for that salvation. We also must remember that as God sees the beginning from the end that before the foundation was laid the Lamb of God was slain (salvation to be imparted for future fallen man) and that He already knows the outcome of who will and who will not be in the Book of Life. This knowledge and His sovereignty need not restrict Him in the giving of the liberty for us to receive/respond to His great offer of salvation. I close this acknowledging again that there is an opposing view to this, but am only examining the text before us and its implications.

 

Hope that helps …

 

Lord Bless,

LT

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on August 26, 2014 at 8:54pm

LT. Since you have explained what the original Greek is, it totally makes sense. I understood the parables following it & preceding it but couldn't apply that one Scripture & you definitely cleared that up for me. I totally agree about God offering it to all but also believe He has the foreknowledge. Thanks for the help.

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Permalink Reply by Leonard T on August 27, 2014 at 3:00am

You're welcome. Glad it helped.

Lord Bless,

LT

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Permalink Reply by thewatchman on August 26, 2014 at 7:31pm

I was going to respond when I got home...but it looks like LT pretty much hit on every point.  I believe that was a biblical view and I will stand in full agreement on that.

I am reminded of the wedding banquet, the one who was sitting there without the wedding garment.

1And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.4Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and myfatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14For many are called, but few are chosen.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on August 27, 2014 at 5:27pm

Thanks watchman

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on August 26, 2014 at 9:31pm

Hi Tammy,

Good discussion topic. Thank you.

Another passage that might be applicable here is Matthew 7;13-14, " Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. (14) Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (NKJV).

So most folks want to stay on the wild free-way of life......and don't heed the call to take any exits, and refuse to travel a narrow, tight, "confining" route in their lives.

Many stay on a one-way route to destruction as the call goes out.....and a few who hear the call, get out of the rat race, go to  the way, the truth, and the life, and are chosen.

So, one might wonder.......what kind of a call/chosen ratio could this be? My estimate of how many are called, then chosen, is based on Chapters 13 and 14 of the Book of Numbers.

All the children of Israel stood at the Jordan River, arguing about dangers waiting for them in the promised land that God was giving them. Two tribes, Joshua, leading Ephraim, and Caleb leading Judah were wanting to cross in faith, and occupy the land.

The other ten tribes, in disobedience and a lack of faith, wanted to go back to Egypt.

 

Here's the formula: two out of twelve with God  - 2/12 = 1/6 = 17% of the people were chosen.

I'm thinking that might be about how many people of the world, past, present, and future, will both hear the call...... and through repentance, obedience, and faith......be chosen by the Lord...........17%.

Grace and Peace........while you consider this possibility.  

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on August 27, 2014 at 5:26pm

Thank you so much Richard for the reply. Interesting mathematics as well.

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on August 26, 2014 at 11:12pm

Thank you so much Amanda. I enjoyed reading these.

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