Romans 8:29-30

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

There are Christians who love to get into a debate about whether we choose Christ or he chooses us. Besides being quite an exercise for the mind, the question is probably beyond the ability of humans to completely answer. The Arminians and the Calvinists will never fully agree on this—and maybe they don’t need to.

God gave us verses that make it sound as if we are chosen and do nothing whatsoever; and he gave us verses that make it sound as if we need to make a choice. What a gift! As believers, we have the peace of knowing that we have been chosen by God and called to him. He has given us right standing with him and has promised us his glory. Yet from our perspective, we don’t know if we’re chosen until we choose. We need to say the words and confess Jesus as our Lord. We have been chosen, so we choose; we choose, so we have been chosen.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME:

• I call you to be my own.

• I promise my glory to those who have right standing with me.

MY PRAYER TO GOD:

You know your people in advance, Lord, and you choose us to become like your Son. Thank you for choosing me and making me a part of your family. You have given me right standing with yourself, and you have promised me your glory. I look forward to the day when I will be with you forever. Amen.