For many are called, but few are chosen. Matthew 22:14 (NKJV) When Jesus said that many are called but few are chosen, what did He mean? Some think it means that God predestined only some people to go to heaven. This explanation just doesn’t make sense because we can find several verses saying that God wants everyone to be saved (See 2 Peter 3:9, Matthew 18:14, 1 Timothy 2:4). The truth is He’s calling every person on the planet to a relationship with Himself, and everyone who chooses to follow Jesus becomes one of His chosen ones—members of His family. Others think today’s verse means that many are called to specific positions in the body of Christ, but few are actually chosen to be in …

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character,and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:3–4 (NLT) If you were to hand-pick a team of leaders to take your salvation message to the world, would you enlist a bunch of teenagers, fishermen and tax collectors? No, you’d probably look for people who were trained in areas such as theology and leadership. But when Jesus picked His leaders, He picked the most unlikely bunch. Why? Because He doesn’t look at people the way we do. We look at people’s gifts and abilities, but He looks at our hearts. The truth is that God isn’t in awe of …

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) Believers who aren’t aware that they are sons and daughters of God often fall into one of two ruts. Because they aren’t accessing God’s power to live their Christian lives, they tend to make one of two choices. They either fake it or they beg for it. Many Christians can fake the “good Christian life” well. They act like they’re at peace and put on a loving, caring façade, but they can only keep the act up so long. When pressure hits, they lose composure or fall into sin, and everyone around them wonders what happened because they seemed …

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Jeremiah 13:23 Some people read today’s verse and assume it means that we’re incapable of change. First, I want to point out that this is an Old Testament verse. We live in New Testament times, and we benefit from what Jesus did for us. When you gave your life to Jesus, an incredible event took place. You became a child of God (Romans 8:14). So…what does a child of God look like? Barely getting by? Hanging in there until you make heaven one day? No, this Christian life is far more than we can imagine, and it’s not about you trying to become something. Second, today’s verse is actually about who you are inside, …

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV) Do you ever feel like something is lacking in your life? When Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden, it was a perfect place. God walked and talked with them in the cool of each day. They were made in the likeness and image of God; they were like Him. They were God’s kids. When the devil tempted Eve to eat the fruit, he said it would make her like God (Genesis 3:4, NLT). He wanted her to think she lacked something that could only be found by disobeying God. The simple truth …