Called and Chosen-Printer Friendly

Called and Chosen

by Dan Cafeo
and Jason Busa

What did Christ mean when He said, “many are called and few chosen”? What is the difference? And why? Many have supposed that all those who received the “call” into God’s church have received God’s Holy Spirit and that only the “chosen”—who pass the test of many trials—actually make it into God’s Kingdom. And, therefore, the majority are lost. But is that true? Let’s not “suppose” any more. Let’s find out what our bible says.

THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER

Christ’s “Parable of the Sower” is one of the key places in the bible that categorizes all those who hear the gospel message. These categories can be useful in understanding “called” and “chosen.” But even though Christ Himself explained the meaning of this parable to His disciples (and to us), it has been widely misunderstood.

This parable can be found in Matthew 13:1-9. Here, God is likened to a farmer planting crops. Before we analyze these scriptures, it’s helpful to understand a little about farming. In our modern day, farmers are often viewed as simple folk, who lack the aptitude for other professions. They are generally viewed as unsophisticated, uneducated and dumb. But the truth is, farming is no easy task. It requires a real understanding of all facets of agriculture. A farmer must know everything about seeds, soil, plants, hydrology and seasons. It is a highly specialized skill that requires experience and timing. It requires special care and planning to yield vibrant, healthy produce, while avoiding crop contamination and insect infestation. A farmer just doesn’t clear some land, throw some seeds down and go on vacation to return to an abundance of grains or vegetables. It’s not that simple. A farmer must thoroughly clear the land, prepare the soil with nutrients months in advance, properly space and plant the seeds, give it the correct amount of water, carefully observe conditions, keep an eye out for weeds, watch for insects, and harvest within a small window of opportunity. Often a farmer must place certain plants around the perimeter of his crops to ward off insects and animals. And this is just a thumbnail sketch of farming. The point is, farming isn’t done willy-nilly. It’s done with skill, planning and precision. It has been for thousands of years. It’s the only way to be a successful farmer.

Now, let’s read the Parable of the Sower. Turn to and read Matthew 13:3-9.

“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

“And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

“Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

“And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

“And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

“But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matt 13:3-9)

In this parable, we see a farmer (sower) planting crops. On the way to his prepared field, some seed spilled out in various places. On the “wayside,” the “stony places” and the “thorns.” What exactly does this mean? Christ Himself explains this parable in the following verses. Turn now and read Matthew 13:18-23.

“Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.

“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.

“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

“Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (Matt 13:18-23)

This analogy categorizes four types of individuals, which are represented by ground. The ground on the wayside, the stony ground, the ground among the thorns, and the good ground.

For many years, it was generally believed that the ground on the “wayside” represented those who heard the Gospel message, who were called but not chosen. That the stony ground and thorny ground represented those who were called and chosen, but fell away and were lost. And that the good ground represents those who were called and chosen, and who endured to the end. But this is only partly true.

It is quite obvious now, that the only ones called AND chosen were those on good ground. We know this because of two factors. (1) God would never intentionally plant seeds in ground that has not been prepared—no more than a farmer would. God has carefully chosen His people. He chose us even before our physical birth (Eph 1:4,11; Rom 8:28-30; 2 Thes 2:13). (2) Greater clarity gained after witnessing many decades of recent church history—that many who were considered members in the Worldwide Church of God were not converted. Rather, they were co-workers. We’ll have more to say on this later in the article.

So what about the other three categories? They can be classified as follows.

• Ground by the wayside = called but not chosen

• Stony ground = called but not chosen

• Ground among thorns = called but not chosen

Can anyone say that God would plant seed haphazardly, on stony ground or among thorns or on the side of the road? Certainly a farmer never would. Seed can only find it’s way to those places unintentionally. Think about it. Good ground requires preparation, even as God was preparing us before our calling and conversion (Eph 1:4,11; Rom 8:28-30). The same way He prepared Moses in Pharaoh’s royal family before His calling to lead the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. The same way He prepared David as a shepherd before His calling to be King over Israel. Likewise, the senior members in God’s church now can look back and see the ways God was preparing them before their calling and conversion.

CALLED, CHOSEN AND FAITHFUL

The main point of this article is to reiterate the importance of enduring to the end. Christ said only those who “endure to the end” will be saved (Matt 24:13). That means even those who are “chosen” don’t have it made. They can be disqualified (1 Cor 9:27; 2 Cor 13:5) if they fail to grow spiritually. Any dead fish can float downstream but it takes a live one to swim upstream. It requires daily persistence to overcome our carnal tendencies and strive for perfection (Eph 4:13). We must be hungering and thirsting for righteousness (Matt 5:6). We must be seeking greater understanding (2 Pet 3:18). We must be under constant self-examination (2 Cor 13:5). We must be actively engaged with God’s people, in total peace and harmony (John 14:27; 1 Cor 1:10). We must be organized in a proper governmental structure (1 Cor 12:12-31). This is a full-time occupation and the very reason we exist.

Those who finally overcome are considered “called, chosen and faithful.” (Rev 17:14). Of those who have been chosen—who have God’s Holy Spirit—Christ will judge who is considered “faithful.” (John 5:22). Let no one suppose he or she is a “shoe-in.” “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” (1 Cor 10:12).

Furthermore, as Christ taught, we must take heed HOW we hear. He said, “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” (Luke 8:18).

Please notice the phrase, “which he [seems] to have.” In other words, there are many members in the Church of God who are not converted. They “seem” to have God’s Holy Spirit but they don’t. We know this because we can look back into recent church history and see how many members dropped out of the church of God completely. After Mr. Armstrong’s death, when church doctrines began to change and the church became apostate, many members became disillusioned and walked away for good. And many members actually stayed in the apostate church that adopted worldly protestantism. Surprisingly, even ministers stayed, who appeared to be fully trained and experienced in teaching the truth.

Armed with this knowledge and experience, we can now see that the term “co-workers” can be applied to many members inside the church. In the Parable of the Sower, those on the wayside, stony ground and thorny ground, are co-workers. God is not working with them on a spiritual level. He is working only with those who are chosen, who’s mind’s have been impregnated with His Holy Spirit.

WHY THE CO-WORKERS?

We must always ask “why?” We must always seek understanding. There are so many things we don’t know. There may be errors we have yet to correct. But we can’t grow and overcome unless we are always desiring to know more—hungering and thirsting for God’s righteousness.

So, why the co-workers? Very simply, as Mr. Armstrong explained years ago, the co-workers comprise a vital component of the work. Without co-workers, God’s work could not be effectively performed. They help provide the means to perform the commission Christ gave. They may be intellectually engaged with the truth and have a little understanding, but they don’t have God’s Holy Spirit, therefore they can’t fully understand. But Christ tells us that those of “good ground” can fully “understand” (Matt 13:23), because they have the Holy Spirit.

This is an important point to make for two reasons.

One, many who have left the church are assumed to be “lost.” In other words, we pity and lament them because we assume they have fallen away and will comprised the incorrigibly wicked, who will be burned up in the third resurrection. But we can see now that not all of those who have left the church are lost. Most were undoubtably not converted. And they will have a opportunity to receive God’s Holy Spirit in the future. In fact, there is reason to believe that the co-workers who are alive at Christ’s return will comprise the “guests” at the wedding of Christ and His wife (the elect). But that’s another study altogether and one which we will conduct in the future.

Two, it makes it easier to understand why so many people are complacent in the church groups today. Who are “ho-hum” about their calling and lack enthusiasm for growing and overcoming. Who are introverted and detached. Who care little for others and would rather fellowship with mindless chit-chat than discuss principles of life.

So, can we know who is a co-worker and who is a spirit-begotten child of God? Generally, yes. How well do they know God’s plan? Can they teach it to others? How well are they living God’s way of life? How enthusiastic are they about it? How humble are they? Are they consumed with worldly recreational activities in their spare time? We’re taught to “[test] the spirits whether they are of God.” (1 John 4:1). This is to protect us from false teaching and bad influence. But a peaceable co-worker is not to be despised or ignored. Who knows if and when God will open their mind? We can pray for them along with all of God’s people.

Can we know if we ourselves have God’s Holy Spirit? Yes! We know because we would count it joy to die tomorrow for our beliefs. We know because we’re actively engaged in growing and overcoming. We know because we hate ourselves for constantly sinning and are always on our knees repenting. We know because we understand our true value, which is nothing. God calls us “less than nothing” (Isa 40:17). The bible calls our righteousness, “filthy rags” (Isa 64:6). We know because we understand that our true potential is to be eventually born as God beings. We know because our hungering and thirsting for knowledge keeps us up late at night with study and prayer. We know because we spend more time analyzing and correcting ourselves and very little time analyzing others. We know because we love the church brethren more than our own blood relatives. We know because we’re not a bit shy to tell friends and strangers about this way of life, when they inquire. We know because we want Christ to return more than anything and we won’t miss a single thing in this world, when He does finally return.

Our very purpose in life is to grow Holy, righteous, Godly character. God’s “chosen” or “elect” must prove their obedience and loyalty through many trials. God has handpicked each of us. He knew us before we were born and has a plan for us, IF we pass the test. Because nobody has it made. Not even Christ’s disciples/apostles had it made. They had to endure to the end like the rest of us. Christ said so.

Brethren, let’s get zealous about our calling! Let’s stand up for the truth. Let’s grow in grace and knowledge. Let’s crave understanding. Let’s admit error (James 5:16) and stay humble (1 Pet 5:5). Let’s question those who are arrogant and proud boasters (Jude 1:3). Let’s pray for more of God’s Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). Let’s be diligent to make our calling and election sure! (2 Pet 1:10). Let’s pray for wisdom and scriptural clarity (James 1:5), and really study our bibles to show ourselves approved (2 Tim 2:15).

If we really strive to do these things, we’ll please God. Then, “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

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