Many people have many unanswered questions pertaining to their life purpose on earth. One of the most mind-boggling out of all these questions happens to be whether one has been chosen by God or not. In this article, we will learn those signs that prove a person has been chosen by God.
I believe that an individual wanting to know whether they've been chosen by God or not isn't something strange. Everyone who is created by God should question such things. It is one of those questions that no one has to be taught to ask.
1 Peter 2:9 NIVBut you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Here are a few things you should expect to learn from this teaching:
- Signs you are marked by God
- Signs you are the chosen one
- Signs that God is calling you
- Purpose and calling of God
- Signs you are chosen by God
Questioning the purpose for our existence is not different from questioning where God has placed us among all the people living on earth, and what He called us to do. It is very necessary we individually know the answers to these questions, so that at the end of the day, we can have a fulfilled life and destiny.
What does it mean to be chosen by God? Being chosen by God is a divine calling with purposes that transcend this present life into eternity. A good number of people believe if they're chosen by God, that means they're called to do something for God on earth. But the reason why God chooses people goes way beyond being used of Him on earth.
How do you know if you are God chosen? Being chosen by God is a privilege; it's by divine election. It is something that happens even before the birth of a person. Recall what God told Jeremiah: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”- Jeremiah 1:5. Everyone who is chosen by God will be born with an inherent desire to know and follow God. Even when they stray from God's ways are the earlier stages of their life, along the line, they will definitely find and follow God.
Signs Of Chosen One By God
I understand that it is not an easy thing for one to accept the fact that not everyone is chosen by God. But the Bible says that the Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19)... which means that there are some other group of people who are not His.
You might want ask, how then did everyone come into existence if they weren't all created by God? I'll briefly answer that here:
The Bible makes us understand that there are people who are born of the will of man and of the flesh:
John 1:12-13But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Which therefore means that not every copulation that results in pregnancy produces a child from Heaven.
Reproduction is a natural biological process that affects all living things. When all necessary factors are in place, a new offspring will always emerge. But there is no basis to conclude that every offspring brought forth by two humans through reproduction is a child sent from Heaven.
Just as it is said in 2 Timothy 2:19, God alone determines who is chosen and through whose womb He sends them to the earth. They are the ones born not of the will of man but of God. The chosen ones just cannot be everyone sent through every womb.
Even from the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we heard Him classify people into groups, as shown below:
- The children of this world (Luke 16:8)
- The sons of perdition (John 17:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:3)
- The sons of light (1 Thessalonians 5:5, Luke 16:8)
- The sons of the kingdom (Matthew 8:12)
- The sheep and the goats (Matthew 25:31-46)
- The wheat and the tares (Matthew 13:24-30)
If there is a group known as the Sons of light, then there is also the sons of darkness—just as there are the sheep and the goats, with the wheat and the tares.
I believe it is now an established fact that not everyone is chosen. We can now go further to see who is chosen and on what basis such choice is made.
1. The Israelites As God's Chosen People
Right from the onset, the Jewish people have always been God's chosen people. They are God's heritage. The basis on which God made this choice is not something that can be fully grasped by man.
Deuteronomy 14:1-2 KJVYe are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. [2] For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.
From the days of their slavery in Egypt, to the days of their deliverance and trip through the wilderness, it can clearly be seen that the Israelites were a very rebellious people—but God still loved them anyway. We can say that Israel was chosen by God out of unmerited love. And when God makes covenants with people, it's always difficult for Him to go back on His words—despite how rebellious those people may become.
It is made clear many times in the holy scriptures, that God's purpose for sending Jesus Christ was first for the salvation of the Jews before that of anyone else. But the Jews, having been known for their rebellion, rejected the Lord. The Pharisees and Scribes stood against Him throughout the days of His ministry on earth.
John 1:11 ESVHe came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
Even Paul acknowledged that the gospel was sent, first to the Jews and then to the gentiles:
Romans 1:16 NIVFor I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Because the Jews rejected the Lord, by God's superior wisdom and master plan, a pathway was created for every other person who believes in Jesus Christ to become grafted into the family of God.
Romans 11:17-19 NLTBut some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.”
From this knowledge, it is easy for one to assume that every other person apart from the Jews were only a substitute to God, and not seen or treated as a priority by Him. But that is far from the truth. Ephesians 1 makes us understand that the choice of the chosen ones was made even before the foundations of the earth. The chosen existed in God long before they manifested in the flesh on earth.
Jesus Christ also made it clear that He has other chosen people (apart from the Israelites), to whom He said “must also be brought into the sheepfold.” Everyone who is not a Jew falls within this category and is equally important to God.
John 10:16 ESVAnd I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
We can see that the rebellion of the Jews was used by God as a doorway to bring other chosen ones into His family, and nothing else.
Ephesians 2:12 NLTIn those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.
How then can we tell we have been chosen by God?
Because we are chosen, we are able to receive the salvation message and welcome Jesus Christ into our lives.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIVFor the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The things of God don't make sense to those who are not chosen; the gospel is foolishness to them. A person who isn't chosen by God cannot get saved—no matter how powerful the salvation message is.
Jesus Christ made us understand that no one comes to Him and gets saved “except the Father draws that individual” (John 6:44). For the Father to draw an individual to Jesus so that they get saved, it simply means He had chosen that person before time. That individual is among the chosen ones—destined to find and follow God. The Father knows “the sheep” from “the goats.” Your salvation message, no matter how sweet-sounding it may be, cannot change a goat into a sheep and get them saved.
Therefore, if you are saved, there is no doubt that you are one of the chosen ones. If you're not yet saved but found this article, it is neither a happenstance nor a mistake. So go ahead and pray this Salvation Prayer.
2. Followers Of Christ Are God's Chosen People
People don't follow God by mistake. This is something that is carefully strategized and panned out by God. If you found and followed God, rejoice and give glory to Him for seeing it needful to place you among the chosen.
When Jesus came to the earth, He didn't second-guess on who to make His disciple and who He shouldn't. Because He knew them before time, He just went ahead to hand-pick them. To these ones, the Lord always went into details and revealed to them the mysteries of the kingdom of God. What a privilege that is!
Mark 4:11 NIVHe told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables
If you find yourself serving God in one area or another, you also have been hand-picked by God as a chosen one. In that place, whether or not you are a chosen one should no longer be a question.
With this being said and clarified, we can now proceed further into understanding callings from God.
What Is A Calling From God
Some people go after God due to fear of Hell, because they don't want to be damned for eternity. But as the chosen ones, we must understand that there is a higher purpose for our election.
If you've been chosen by God, it isn't supposed to end at just being saved from from Hell and becoming a candidate of Heaven. There is something wrong in being “heavenly-conscious but earthly useless.” We must be spiritually productive; we must be useful to God on earth. This is where our individual callings and ministries come in.
A calling from God is a calling into partnership with Him—to see to it that His will is done on earth just the way it is in Heaven. We are chosen to serve as ambassadors of Christ in the earth realm (2 Corinthians 5:20).
1. Called To Be Holy And Blameless
It is one thing to be chosen by God, it is another to live a life worthy of that election. We are instructed in 2 Peter 1:10 to be diligent towards making our calling and election sure. One of the most important steps towards making that happen is walking in holiness and innocence before the One who called us.
Ephesians 1:1-5 ESVPaul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love.
The chosen ones of God are first of all called to holiness, before being called into ministry. We cannot say we are chosen while we live as sons of perdition who are reserved for destruction.
It is mandatory that we serve God with clean hands and a pure heart. Before proceeding to work for God, holiness as a requirement must be addressed, understood and lived out. So that after ministering to others, we ourselves will not be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
2. Every Christian Is Called Into Ministry
In this age and time, I don't think there should still be arguments on which Christian is called into ministry and which isn't. Every Christian is called into ministry—men and women inclusive. The charge given by the Lord to His disciples, to go and make disciples of all nations, is given to us also.
Matthew 28:18-20 ESVThen Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Great Commission is not an assignment for a select few. It is not only meant for the evangelist. It is an assignment for every genuine Christian. I'm yet to see a place in the bible where some Christians are called to sit in the pew of their denominations and listen to sermons for the rest of their lives.
Some are fond of acting like they are confused on what their calling is, and for that reason they wouldn't do anything apart from going to church. But we are without excuse. Besides, I thought as Christians we are all disciples of Christ?
Acts 1:8 NLTBut you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Interestingly, not only the 12 disciples received the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts. The Apostle Paul wasn't there on the day of Pentecost when all the show took place. He showed up afterwards, got filled with the Holy Spirit and went into ministry.
Not only our church leaders have the Holy Spirit. Millions of other Christians around the world also have the same Holy Spirit. It was those who were to receive the Holy Spirit that Jesus commissioned to be His witnesses in Acts 1:8. Everyone who is saved and has the Holy Spirit is called into ministry. The Great Commission is a default calling upon every Christian.
3. Every Christian Has A Unique Calling From God
Apart from the Great Commission (which is default for every Christian), we also individually have our unique gifts and callings from God.
Ephesians 4:10-12 ESVHe who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
It is true that not everyone is called to be an Apostle, Prophet or Pastor. Not everyone is called into the five-fold office gifts. But the gifts and callings of God are limitless. He distributes them evenly among those who are saved.
1 Corinthians 12:4-5 NLTThere are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
What Is My Calling From God
What is God calling me to do? Your gifts can go a long way to determine what your calling from God is. What spiritual gifts do you have? God only gives gifts that will aid the effectiveness of our calling. Spiritual gifts are tools that are meant to enable us fulfil our callings and effectively carryout the assignments given to us.
Romans 12:6-8 BSBWe have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
If you haven't received a direct instruction from God concerning what your calling is, identify what your spiritual gifts are. With that knowledge, go on to yield yourself to God and let Him use those gifts through you. That becomes your calling.
Signs God Is Calling You To Ministry
Do we still need to question whether we are called into ministry or not? Nevertheless, if you need some signs (just to be sure you are called) then see the following:
- You are saved. Your salvation isn't for nothing. It's one step towards working for God.
- You are filled with the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit isn't given as a toy, but for ministry.
- God has shown you dreams of Him using you in ministry.
- You have an inner-knowing that you are called into ministry.
- You have received many prophesies stating categorically that you are called into ministry.
- You are operating in spiritual gifts.
- God keeps trying to pull your attention from time to time towards working for Him.
- You have a burning zeal for the things of God.
- God keeps connecting you with genuine ministers of the Gospel, etc.
Benefits Of Being Chosen By God
There are innumerable benefits of being chosen by God. But we'll highlight a couple of them below.
1. To Be Chosen By God Is A Blessing And A Test
First of all, we must understand that being chosen by God is not all funfair. Some ended up shocked that their spiritual warfare intensified after they got saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. By being a follower of God, you automatically become an enemy of Satan. That doesn't sound like a bed of roses.
It is a blessing in the sense that you will enjoy the privileges of salvation. But also have it in mind that a Christian must go through tribulations and trials.
The wheat and the tares grow together, but the tares continually fight the wheat. As a Christian, ungodly people will hate and constantly attack you. In this present world, a Christian has many challenges. This is the lifestyle everyone who is chosen by God should expect.
2. It Is A Powerful Privilege To Partner With God
We are chosen by God to partner with Him. This partnership is not without rewards. There are rewards now and in eternity.
Matthew 25:23 ESVHis master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
But what if God had nothing to give to those who worked for Him? Partnering with God to birth His will on earth would still be the noblest profession—the best way anyone can spend their days on earth!
Final Thoughts On Being Chosen By God
Being chosen by God is an awesome privilege. It is not something anyone can merit. Most of those who are not chosen hate the things of God and it's literally impossible to convince them that God matters. Because you are chosen of God, you know Him, you know His worth and you follow Him. That is a privilege that should never be taken for granted.
John 15:16 NLTYou didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.
There are many purposes behind our election as a chosen people, beyond what we can understand while on earth.
If you believe you are chosen, then you must live worthy of your election. It would be unwise to make God sad for choosing us. The best achievement on earth is ensuring God is pleased. That's more important than being chosen in the first place.
If you were blessed by this teaching on signs you've been chosen by God, go on and share this article with someone else. Look forward to yet another teaching on understanding our callings.
Remain blessed.
The articles and dream interpretations on our blog are gotten through revelation. We don't go about stealing other people's content. If we did, this website wouldn't have survived till today. DESIST from copying or lifting any part of our content to your website, books or videos. God is against plagiarism (Jer. 23:30). All content are protected by DMCA with fast response rate. Don't say you were not warned !!