"Called, And
Chosen, And Faithful"
Revelation 17:14
Though the world is
opposed to the Lamb, God's saints are "with him" in all he is and in
all he does, "with him" by God's eternal purpose of grace and
"with him" by their own deliberate choice, "with him" in
heart, will, desire and motive. And in this text God's saints are all
identified by three distinct works of grace accomplished by God on their
behalf. All who are with the Lamb "are called, and chosen, and
faithful." These words write the biography of every believer.
1. ALL WHO ARE WITH CHRIST
ARE WITH HIM BY THE ALMIGHTY, EFFECTUAL, IRRESISTIBLE CALL OF GOD THE HOLY
SPIRIT IN REGENERATING GRACE. There is a general call that goes out to all who
hear the gospel. But these called ones have heard, not merely the voice of a
man, but the voice of God the Spirit. It is true, he uses the voice of a
preacher; but the call is inward, Divine and effectual. It always produces
saving faith in those who are called (Rom.
2. THIS CALL OF THE SPIRIT
IS THE PROOF AND EVIDENCE OF A PERSON'S ETERNAL ELECTION IN CHRIST. The text
puts calling before election because we cannot know our election until we are
called. But the election took place long before the calling. We were chosen in
eternal love, before the world was made (Eph. 1:3-7; II Thess.
3. THE SURE AND CERTAIN
RESULT OF GOD'S ELECTING GRACE AND THE SPIRIT'S EFFECTUAL CALL IS FAITHFULNESS.
All who are called and chosen of God have faith in Christ. Faith is the gift of
God's almighty grace in regeneration (Eph. 2:8-9). All who are born of God are
made faithful by God. God's saints are faithful, true and honest people. They can
be trusted. You can depend on them. They are faithful stewards, using whatever
God puts in their hands for the interest and glory of Christ. They are faithful
to Christ, his gospel and his church. And they will all remain faithful,
persevering to the end.
Don Fortner