Only a select few are called to be Christians in this age. This is why James 1:18 says:
“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS of His creatures”. This “firstfruits” usage implies there is a greater harvest to come. There are many other verses to substantiate this fact that only a select few are call to be His right now.
Only God can draw somebody to Christ (John 6:44). There is nothing that a person can do to come to Him. Furthermore, this is done even before a person is born in order to ensure that no one can say it’s because they did this or that good deed in their life or because they studied. None of that has to do with anything.
Notice Jacob’s calling:
”And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),” (Romans 9:10-11).
How to know then if you are one whom He has set apart to inherit the world among His people (Romans 4:13)? If you believe that none of your works had anything to do with it and that it is only by God’s will that you can come to Him through Christ. This is largely what the name of Christ entails. It is what the kingdom of God is—an inheritance, not of works. The Pharisees had a problem with this, and you will find the majority of religious people including much of professing Christianity to have a problem with this too. But if you believe what is written, this will resonate with you. You are called to partake in the eternal inheritance at the first resurrection.
Those who aren’t called in this age have an opportunity too, but at the next resurrection with the rest of the people who will rise too such as the people of Nineveh in Jonah’s time, the Queen of the South, and many others. Just as Jesus said that generations of different times would all rise up together (see Matthew 12:41-42).
“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of FIRSTFRUITS of His creatures”. This “firstfruits” usage implies there is a greater harvest to come. There are many other verses to substantiate this fact that only a select few are call to be His right now.
Only God can draw somebody to Christ (John 6:44). There is nothing that a person can do to come to Him. Furthermore, this is done even before a person is born in order to ensure that no one can say it’s because they did this or that good deed in their life or because they studied. None of that has to do with anything.
Notice Jacob’s calling:
”And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),” (Romans 9:10-11).
How to know then if you are one whom He has set apart to inherit the world among His people (Romans 4:13)? If you believe that none of your works had anything to do with it and that it is only by God’s will that you can come to Him through Christ. This is largely what the name of Christ entails. It is what the kingdom of God is—an inheritance, not of works. The Pharisees had a problem with this, and you will find the majority of religious people including much of professing Christianity to have a problem with this too. But if you believe what is written, this will resonate with you. You are called to partake in the eternal inheritance at the first resurrection.
Those who aren’t called in this age have an opportunity too, but at the next resurrection with the rest of the people who will rise too such as the people of Nineveh in Jonah’s time, the Queen of the South, and many others. Just as Jesus said that generations of different times would all rise up together (see Matthew 12:41-42).
