Many Are Called, but Few Are Chosen
Matthew 22:14
True disciples must “count the cost” to forsake everything to follow the Good Shepherd on that “narrow path that leads into His eternal, righteous kingdom.” (Luke 14:28, Matthew 7:13-14) The redeemed remnant will continue to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling” as they glorify the Father and bring the love and uncompromised truth of the Savior to a lost and dying world. (Philippians 2:12) Yahshua (Jesus) continually cautions His disciples to “be on guard” against the deceptive pull of this world, including its human-tainted doctrines, traditions, and religious agendas that compromise and often nullify the very words of Yahveh His Father; the full counsel of the Old and New Testament Scriptures. (Mark 13:33, Matthew 15:8) “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)
Yahshua (Jesus) made it clear that although many would want to, only a remnant would enter—only a few would enter through the narrow gate and walk upon the narrow path that leads to eternal life. (see Matthew 7:13-14) Messiah elaborates, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ [‘Master, Master’] will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I (Yahshua-Jesus) will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness [the breaking of Yahveh’s Commandments].’” (Matthew 7:21-23)
Our Savior described the tragic reality of so many religious people who thought their destiny was sealed in the eternal Promised Land, His forthcoming Messianic kingdom. Instead the many were assigned a place with the hypocrites where there will be everlasting “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12) Remember, “Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
Our precious, sacrificial Lamb has poured out His atoning blood to redeem you to be His very own, now and forever. He says, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man [person] according to what he has done,” (Revelation 22:12) whether by Messiah’s indwelling Holy Spirit, which brings eternal dividends, or by humankind’s vain, dead-end efforts. “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12)
