Chosen Ones

Jan 13

Study of 1 Thessalonians

Read: 1 Thess. 1:1-10

The Chosen Ones

“For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that God has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” V.4,5

What does it mean to be “chosen”? For me, it conjures up images of recess growing up and playing kick ball or dodge ball. You would line up against the fence or wall of the school and team captains would pick their teams. There was a great deal of anticipation leading up to being picked. No one wants to be picked last. You would feel rejected and like a loser if no one wanted you on their team. Likewise, there was a great JOY when you were picked first! You felt like you mattered… like you had something to offer… like you were “good”. What a strange thing the act of picking… the act of being chosen by someone… truly is.

What does this look like for the people of God in Christ Jesus? How can we know if someone is “chosen”? What does that even mean? Why does Paul start this letter by telling these people that he “knows that God has chosen them”? (v.5) When Paul writes this he is seeking to encourage the readers by telling the something true about themselves and about the “picker” that is the Lord. The Thessalonians were having a tough go of it. Things were not easy for them as Christians in a Roman city with Jewish antagonists. They were processing and mourning the death of people in the community, dealing with issues of wealth and poverty, and navigating persecution and political turmoil… so basically just like us today! Lol. Paul was seeking to encourage and lead these new Christians through these pitfalls and hurdles… and he starts by reminding them that “they have been picked”… they are “chosen ones”.

God is the supreme “picker” and seeks out his people. To often we picture God like a team captain at recess who looks at the wall of people and says, “please… come on guys… anyone who wants to can be on my team.” The problem is that the bible has passages like this that say God is the “choose-er” and that we are the “chosen”. This category - “chosen” - means nothing if it is to mean everybody. God wants you… specifically you. He has chosen you not with some sort of blanket statement… some general “hey everybody who wants to”… that is not it. God chose you BY NAME. He wants specifically YOU… he loves the ACTUAL you. If this was recess, and God called your name - how would you feel?

We may wrestle with the question: how do we know? I mean, how could Paul say that when he is not the final judge / arbiter? This is how 1 Thess. 1:4-5 tells us we can know: "For we know…

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” This is how we are assured and made confident. The message of Christ and the Kingdom of God is received by the “chosen ones” not only in word, but in power, Holy Spirit, and conviction. These ingredients must be present. These are tell tale signs of the chosen ones.

The chosen ones experience a certain power outside of themselves that comes to them. This sounds crazy but it is true and biblical. The good news lands on the chosen and brings the power to change, the power to know, the power to engage spiritual matters and see the Kingdom of God. (cf. 1 Cor. 2, John 3,14) This is real and measurable… observable… not just theoretical. God is granting you power to change and grow. He is granting you power to endure suffering and mourning. He is granting you energy to minister and love. There is power for the chosen ones.

The chosen ones of God receive the Holy Spirit. Our spirits are made alive. How do you know that you have received the Holy Spirit? You can start by asking in prayer. Then you can ask others to tell you if they have seen the Holy Spirit in you. Reading scripture with he Holy Spirit means it comes to life; therefore reading the scriptures can be an avenue to affirming the Spirit in you. (cf. Heb. 4:12) Get some time alone and listen for the voice of the Spirit. Finally, everyone who is a “chosen one” has a gift from the Holy Spirit. (cf. 1 Cor. 12) Seek out the use of your gift and ask others what they have experienced in this regard. This will help you develop your own gift and affirm the Spirit in you.

The gospels lands on a “chosen one” with what Paul says is “full conviction”. There is no such thing as mediocre conviction… if conviction is truly “conviction” it comes fully and with power. Conviction without the Holy Spirit and power is a little worthless because you lack the tools to DO anything with that conviction. BUT - full conviction with power and the Holy Spirit is a radical force… a sight to behold. The “chosen ones” indeed CAN be identified. When the gospel message of the Kingdom of God and Jesus Christ shows up in a place - those the respond not just in words, but with power and conviction having received the Holy Spirit will be easily identified. These are the “chosen ones”

You are “chosen ones” as well. Everyone of you has asked at some point to receive these devotions… that to me is a sign of something at work in you… a power. The word of God is bringing you life - as it does when the Holy Spirit is within you giving it life! You have the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, I cannot see your conviction through texts… but I know personally MANY of you and have heard of your conviction and in some cases seen it personally. If you are still reading this… you probably have some conviction that leads to action! Ha! I have every reason to believe - YOU ARE CHOSEN ONES. God is with you. He is going to grant you the power to navigate life, mourn death, deal with persecution, withstand political pressure and debate, and with resources provide for you and sometimes through you. I pray you can find hope and encouragement in that. I am excited to read through the rest of Thess. with you and unpack these ideas. Love you guys! - JDP