Finding the Strength to Bear Witness

05/14/24 – 05/22/24

The Grace of Election

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  05/20/24

As Christians, we must remember God chose us not because we are lovable but in spite of our unlovable condition. His love is unconditional. His choice was a function of His sovereign will. Why He chooses one and not another is a mystery known only to God. And because His sovereign election of you and me is an act of His sovereign grace, we have no reason to be arrogant. His election of us drives us to our knees in humility and brokenness before Him.

We can only cry out to God and say, “Lord, I don’t know why You love me, why You called me, why You chose me, why You predestined me—but in utter amazement and humility, I say thank You, I believe in You, and I want to spend all of eternity praising You.” There is no power in the universe more humbling to our egos than the sovereign election of God.

Jesus said to His disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16a). If it were up to us, we would not choose to follow Him. As fallen human beings, we are willful and rebellious by nature. Yet Paul says that God chose us so that we might make Him known. “[H]e has chosen you,” Paul wrote, “because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. . . . You became imitators of us and of the Lord, . . . The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere” (1 Thessalonians 1:4-6, 8).

God chose us so that His message might ring out from us and the Good News of Jesus Christ might become known everywhere. Are you ready to answer His call and bear fruit that will last?

Prayer: Lord, I praise You for Your kindness, mercy, and grace powerfully displayed in Your sovereign election. Thank You for calling me out of darkness into Your light. Grant me strength to boldly proclaim Your Truth, trusting that You will bring fruit to bear in my life and the lives of those around me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16a).

*Excerpt adapted from Fearless Living in Troubled Times by Michael Youssef © 2017. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.