Nougat 1

Although the nougat reflection is on a bite sized portion of God’s Word, we are all aware that it is interrelated. That’s the joy of Scripture. Today’s Holy Nougat is this an extension of our reflections over the past few days.

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬-‭30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Chosen and Called

We began with the concept of God’s Good Plan in everything, regardless of how it looks. And as we reflected we noted that this comfort is directed to Lovers of God and the Called. And being called is somewhat exclusive since God knew (knows) us in advance and chose us. It doesn’t stop there. Our closeness includes God’s plan for us to come into the fullness of our similarity with Christ.

Here is the positive news: when we are God’s Chosen, we are under Godly jurisdiction and protection. Weapons will come at us – no one escapes the enemy of our souls. Weapons may even injure us. But, God has The Last Word over our lives and so we rest assured that the weapons formed will not last into eternity. They may even have been sharpening tools to prepare us for life in Christ.

Note, neither the Chosen nor the Called are perfect. Look no further than the named author of this epistle. Paul was a co-signatory to the murder of Christians, the People of the Way. In his words, he is the least of the apostles (see 1 Timothy 1:15).

But God!

His Chosen-ness took him out of Jerusalem to be Called on the fateful Damascus road. And Saul the murderer became Paul the Apostle.

We can look at so many other people; the disciples, Anna the prophetess, David, Ruth the Moabite woman … not all were Jewish or from ‘perfect’ backgrounds. Yet they are the Chosen and the Called. Not only for this world or their natural prosperity; but for the Kingdom to come.

That’s Good News for you and me! For God is an equal opportunity Giver: we can expect to be equally blessed. We are also open to being counted among God’s Chosen and Called. No matter what our mess looks like, no matter the obstacles before us.

A question for us, if God has taken the liberty of choosing and calling us – how will we respond?

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May all we seek be found in Christ