I’m On His Team - Election

Fortunately, I grew up in a neighborhood with lots of kids. We had pickup games all the time; dodge ball, kickball, softball, red rover …you name it, we played it. The two oldest boys in the neighborhood, Mike and Jimmy, were always the captains. And then we lined up and they picked. Mike used to pick me first. He liked me. I don’t know why. I’m not athletic. I didn't help his team. He picked me out of the group just because he wanted too.

When I was studying 1 Thessalonians I thought about this concept of selection to be on a team.  Chapter one and verse 4 says,

“We know dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you.”

1.       We know – We understand.  We have realized. We see God’s love for us every day, all the time, and in every circumstance.  It is that obvious and undeniable.

2.       God loves you – This is the agape love. It means that this is a love that is unconditional and all consuming. It’s amazing to think about this love given to us that we don’t deserve.

3.       He has chosen you – This is the Greek word “ekloge.” And it has a wonderful meaning. It signifies that He took us out of and put us into. God selected you and me.  He personally picked us. We weren't the best ones out there. In fact we sinned so much that, really, there wasn't any reason that He should pick us. But He did. He took us out of that sinful place and put us into His own family.

Thank you, Mike, for long ago showing me a little about God’s election.

When we were lined up with all the people out there,

God picked us.

We don’t know exactly why.

We don’t really deserve to be selected.

But out of His great love,

He chose us.

Now, we don’t need to get all proud of ourselves.

We didn't do anything to stand out in the crowd.

He just picked us.

Amazing love, how can it be, that You, my God, should have picked me?

I’m on His team.

Are you?