Called and Chosen

For many are called but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14

14¹ To be called is to receive salvation (Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:2; Eph. 4:1), whereas to be chosen is to receive a reward. All believers have been called, but few will be chosen to receive a reward. (http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=829)

Many are called, many have experienced the salvation God wrought for any who believe. This aspect is rather general and simple, it requires a simple faith of believing into the Lord Jesus Christ and baptising into His Name. All genuine Christians have been experiencing this. But how about being "chosen"?

To be chosen is to receive a reward, to enjoy the kingdom of the heavens. This is a special portion among the many called, exclusively for the overcomers. To be a Christian is one thing and to be an overcomer is altogether another thing. A simple faith in Jesus Christ qualifies one to be a Christian, but to be an overcomer needs a daily exercise of living out the subjective righteousness of Christ.

This morning as I read the Word, I was reminded of my need to daily live out Christ, taking Him as my life and my living. It is not sufficient just to be a Christian, much more, I must exercise my spirit to live Christ, gain Christ, enjoy Christ and express Christ.

The Lord even convicted me of my lethargic nature towards matters, things and persons. I should be more aggressive in my pursuit of Christ and more severe in dealing with my self, my flesh and my soul life, even apply the strictest lifestyle, trusting in the grace of the Lord and yet having more grace in dealing with others. Specifically, the Lord reminded me to make a covenant by exercising my free will, , not to give Satan, sin and the world any opportunity whatsoever or whensoever. And I must do all that can be done as my human cooperation to not let the evil one have any say or any ground for anything in my life. This is indeed a fresh reconsecration of my tripartite being to wholly be sanctified for the Master's use.

Any by this covenant, He paved the way for me to be an overcomer. Called? Yes. Much more, Chosen. Not just being called in a generic way, but specifically chosen to be an overcomer. May the Lord grace me to be an overcomer with all the saints who have been called and chosen.