16. Chosen for service
When the Bible speaks of election, it is often in the context of a task or service, not in the context of being elected to be saved. Judas Iscariot, for example, was chosen to be a disciple, but still he was not saved, because he chose to betray Jesus.
Election for a task never means that one is chosen at the expense of another, but God chooses a single person or a certain group of people to be a blessing to others. But this never means that those not chosen for this particular task will perish forever. An example is Ananías. He was not chosen to be a missionary, but he was saved for eternity.
- Deuteronomy 7:6 For thou [Israel] art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
- Deuteronomy 17:15a Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee.
- 1 Samuel 2:28a And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me?
- 2 Chronicles 29:11b for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense.
- Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles.
- John 6:70,71 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve.
- John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
- Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him [Ananías], Go thy way: for he [Paul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.
- Acts 15:7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
- 1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.