I have a question about the “Chosen”. The scriptures teach us that all who believe are saved. To me that means anyone has the opportunity to be saved. Christ said when He was lifted up all men would be drawn to Him. To me that means he calls all men to repentance. I know not all respond positively to this call. Some accept and others reject. But what I’m trying to figure out is; Believing in free will opportunity for all, who are the Chosen?
Both Israel and the Church are referred to as the chosen. For Israel the title has national implications (Deut,7:6) and for the Church it’s a personal matter. Where we’re concerned, Matt. 20:16 and other verses tell us many are called but few are chosen. Jesus said whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16) and everyone who asks receives (Matt. 7:7-8), Paul said whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13), and Peter said that God doesn’t want any to perish but for all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Therefore, everyone has to have an opportunity to be saved, and everyone who responds will be saved. But we know that only some of those who are called respond. So if only a few are chosen, logic tells us the ones who are chosen are the ones who respond to the call.