THE CHOSEN PEOPLE.

Salvation is not an exclusive prerogative of any people, tribe or nation. It is a special and un-meritorious gift of God to mankind. Indeed there are no special or chosen people who are destined for salvation while others are a condemned and un-chosen people for salvation. The idea of a ‘chosen people’ springs from God’s election of Israel and subsequent extension of the tentacles to the whole of human race.
All men and women who do what pleases God, and are incorporated or granted unto him are to be seen and distinguished as a CHOSEN PEOPLE.
In the prophecy of Isaiah (66:18-19) “The Lord says this: I am coming to gather the nations of every language. They shall come to witness my glory….”
What strikes the mind, is that God is benevolent is extending his goodness/love to all mankind. The reason is that our eternal predestination is to live forever with him here in this world and in the life to come.
However to belong to a special group is a challenge to behave like unto a special people. This is what we must say about the CHOSEN PEOPLE. The chosen people are characteristically belonging to the Lord their God who has not only called, but chosen them. Scripture says “You did not choose me but I chose you and send you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last forever”. Jn.15:16.
The measure of bearing fruit and identically resembling one’s mentor/or God is an effort that is sacrificial. The letter to the Hebrews (12:5-13), states “the Lord trains the ones that he loves and punishes all those that he acknowledges as his sons”.
What we want to elicit here is that the ‘chosen people’ are known for their ‘suffering’, though transient, but still a unique attribute of this category. We cannot remain the chosen Race and People, without passing through the NARROW DOOR. This narrow door explains the fact of our need for Mortification, Renunciation and Purification to be made worthy of the kingdom of the chosen people o God. The Christian who is on pilgrimage must realize that he/she needs a spirit of detachment from the externals, but a firm focus on the attainment of one’s goal; namely the kingdom of God.
We may begin the journey and sometimes begin to wane in spiritual strength; then the value of the prior discipline that we have received from God will prove effective in our defeat of fatique in faith.
Indeed “any punishment” most painful at the time, and far from pleasant; but later, in those on whom it has been used, it bears fruit in peace and goodness” cf. Heb. 12:11-12.
The emphasis that should be laid before us, is that though we a “God’s chosen people” we should work harder to justify it by good and honest living. To be chosen is to be challenged to work harder in justifying why we are called. To lazy away, on the foundation of the syndrome ‘we are Abraham children’, is next to an illusive dream of failure.
If we fail to become always God chosen ones, God himself will not delay to raise up, from the corners of the earth, those who will realize his dreams of a destiny for each of us. The exhortation left for us is “Hold up your limp, arms and steady your trembling knees and smooth out the path you tread; then the injured limb will not be wrenched, it will grow strong again. Cf. Heb. 12:13.