Matthew 20:16 “So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen.”(NKJ)
As I was going through my Bible reading, I came across this common verse. What stood out to me was the last part of this verse, many are called, but few are chosen. I asked myself if there was a difference between the words called and chosen, are they not the same?
I went to my concordance and what I found surprised me. The word called means that you are invited by God, called to some office and divinely selected and appointed. Wow, that is an awesome place to be. Imagine, called to some office! When I looked up the word chosen, I thought it would read the same, but this is what Strong’s definition is: Chosen by God, appointed by God to the most exalted office conceivable. I immediately saw the difference. Two different functions here. I saw here a ministry position, and an office position.
So, if one is called, can they eventually be chosen? Being prepared for such an exalted position does not come easy. To be called to an office position comes with a price, and not everyone is called. It will take years of preparation and training by the Lord. You will be in circumstances and situations throughout your life that will cause you to change. You will move, not fit in; you will even leave the local church and be trained by your Father in the desert. You will be alone, and all this time questioned if you have missed it. You may be one of those sitting in the church saying, “God, there has to be more than this, more than what I am doing right now. I am not fulfilled or satisfied, I want to learn more. You cannot wake up one morning and say, “Ok, today I stand in office” . It does not work that way. That is in the Lords plan, not yours.
Consider this verse: Mark 10:40 “but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared. Here James and John asked Jesus for one to sit on His right hand, the other on His left in His glory. Jesus plainly answered; it is not mine to give. When our Father in Heaven appoints someone to office, that person has paid the price. Being placed into office does not come easy, nor does it come overnight. You must carry within your heart a love for the Bride of Christ, and a death to yourself daily.
Also, consider the 70 disciples Jesus called. Out of those 70, Jesus chose 12 to be His Apostles, after an all night prayer vigil.
Does it matter if you are not called to an office position? No. What the Lord has placed in you is very important. What does matter is that you do what the Lord has called you to do with all your might, heart, soul and strength. With the gift the Lord has given you, use it for His glory, to extend His kingdom. We all have a part to play, and let us do our part for Him.
May you be richly blessed today.
Dannette Rene'
May 1, 2011 at 12:29 pm
PRAISE THE LORD YVETTE,
Once again your words have ministered so powerfully to me. Your article on “What is an Apostle and Are you called or chosen have describe me and my life to a ” T ” LOL!!! It has been such a joy to read the revelatory insights that God has given you!!! Please… continue to let the Lord have “HIS” way in your life. I am sure that the price has been high and definitely not easy, but for the affect it is having in the lives of God ‘s people it has surely been worth it!!!! Be blessed my dear sister and continue to be a blessing!!!!!
Yvette
May 3, 2011 at 9:37 am
Thank you Dannette for your comments. It blesses me when others are blessed.
Have a great day!
Mrs F
November 25, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hi
Thank you so much I had a dream about being an apostle and your post really made things clearer. Called or chosen? I also like the fact that it explained why I’m considered to be strange and why I am finding it hard to fit into normal church circles. Keep up the good work.
Rhonda
September 22, 2010 at 9:38 am
Thank you for this clarity in this article. I really appreciate you giving the difference in the called and chosen.
vivian balsamo
September 10, 2010 at 2:55 pm
thanks alot for this clear explanation,,, now i know where i stand God bless
Jackie Hester
February 11, 2010 at 9:44 pm
I have never understood this verse and think that most of us remember the last part of the verse without the first part. I think the last part is quoted many times as being connected to election/predestination (which is a whole other set of verses). The first part of the verse and your explanation make perfect sense. Thanks.
Julie Gorman
January 13, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Great insights…I loved reading Are you Called or Chosen and What is an Apostle…I like that your emphasis is surrender, to simply do what you are called to do.
Be blessed.
God'sCallConfirmed
October 8, 2009 at 7:36 pm
I Thank God for your gift of understanding Yvette! Just last night God spoke something to me concerning my future role. I googled the subject and it brought me right to your blogs. What you wrote about “Apostles” brought me to my knees. It was an exact description of where I am right now. I left my church a few months ago and people thought I was a little off. I’ve tried sharing what God has been showing me to my past church and even they gave me a tight eye. It was months before my wife believed what God has shown me in the word. Crazy was her first response now she’s totally convinced. I just had my first in house bible study this past Sunday. I just wanted to share a little and let you know that God is truly without a shadow of a doubt using you. May the Lord bless you in ways un-imaginable!!!!!!! Thank you!
Yvette
October 8, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Blessings to you
May the Lord continue to use you mightily as He directs your path.
Yvette
Krista
October 8, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I love your site. You are such an inspiration and have inspired me to start a site of my own. Continue to let God use you. You are being a blessing to many of his children through this site. -Love, and blessings
Yvette
October 8, 2009 at 10:53 pm
Thank you Krista,
When you start your site, let me know, I would love to see it.
Blessings
Aby
September 16, 2009 at 12:01 pm
This article answered most of the questions i’ve been asking myself abt this 2 words. Thanks.
Bryan Farrar
January 10, 2008 at 8:31 am
Excellent Nugget of Truth. Blessed by your teachings.
PS – I sent a contact email asking permission to post your 2008 prophetic word on my ministry site http://www.showmeyourglory.org…but I would like to ask if I could expand that further by reposting articles like this or if you would be willing to write articles to post on Show Me Your Glory site?
Yvette
October 25, 2007 at 4:18 pm
Thank you Pastor for you comments.
It pleases me that you were blessed by this article.
Blessings to you.
Yvette
pastormangold
October 25, 2007 at 3:08 pm
Excellent work! I was pondering this same scripture the other day. I have always made the distinction in my mind and seen that being called was one thing, and chosen another “rank” higher. What I hadn’t stopped to think about is, what qualifies one to go from one state of being called to that next level of chosen. This was my first visit to your blog, but I can see, if this is the caliber I can expect everytime, I’ll indeed be a regular. Thank you for the insight. God bless! Pastor RDM
Yvette
October 19, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Thank you Helen.
I am glad this article was a blessing to you.
Yvette
helen hurley
October 19, 2007 at 11:41 am
This has helped me so much. Thank you.