Has God Already Chosen Who Will Be Saved?

In Psalm 139, David wrote that every one of his days had been written by God before one of them came to be. God told Jeremiah that He appointed him to be a prophet before he was even born. The Apostle Paul also said that he was set apart by God before he was born.

Jesus said to His disciples, You did not choose me, I chose you. That is the picture that we see throughout Scripture. We didn't choose God. It is God who chose us for His glory through the saving power of Christ.

We who are Christians were predestined before the world began by no action of our own. God chose those who would be saved and those who would be the objects of His wrath. Don't dismiss this teaching as some sort of ism.

It's what the Bible says. Now, that said, do you still have a choice? Well, as far as you're concerned, yes. Faith is given to us by God, but you still have to obey. Repentance is also granted by God, but you still have to turn from your sin.

No one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them, but you still have to follow. You choose to be thankful. You choose to help others. You choose to preach the gospel. You choose it. Though it is God who wills and works for His good pleasure, we're still held accountable for the choices that we make.

It's not for us to know now the full picture the way that God sees it. That comes later. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part. Then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

It is not you who chooses God, but God who chose you. Now confirm your calling by being obedient to what He has commanded when we understand the text.