Jul 11
15
Chosen of God
Hebrews 5: 1-6
Christ Jesus receives the preeminent glory in the election of God (Isaiah 42:1-4; Col 1: 18,19.) God’s first choosing was Christ Jesus to represent those God gave him from before the foundation of the world, just as Aaron was chosen of God to represent a particular people (John 6: 39; Eph 1: 3, 4.) And just as Aaron did not take this honor to himself, so also Christ Jesus glorified not himself to be made a priest, but was chosen of God (Hebrews 5: 1-5;John 8: 54.)
What does this have to do with us needy sinners? Every sinner whom God calls in sovereign grace is made a priest unto God through the finished work of Christ (Rev 1: 6; 1 Peter 2: 5) But if Christ Jesus glorified not himself to be made a High Priest then God forbid any sinner glory that by our will we took this honor to ourselves.
Since Adam’s one transgression, every man’s will is bound to choose that which glorifies man, not God (Rom 3: 10-18.) Still, our total inability in no way negates our responsibility to honor God. When the Spirit of God creates a sinner anew, making us to behold our responsibility in the face of our utter inability, the Lord creates peace in the heart, by teaching us, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” (John 15: 16.) Dear sinner, no peace compares to this peace! The willing heart which God gives through the power of his grace is the willingness to rejoice in this good news that it was not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son, the satisfaction for our sins (I Peter 2: 9.) By the one offering of our great High Priest He perfected forever them that are sanctified (Heb 10: 14.)
Oh, how we rejoice that our God receives all glory for choosing Christ and for choosing whom HE WILL in our Beloved! Those called of God want it no other way
Clay Curtis.