¹⁶ “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

Theological debate rages between the so-called Armineans and Calvinists, two opposing theological systems, and today’s verse is one of contention. As with most such discussions, there are wide ranging perspectives between the extremes. One side emphasizes, among other things, the freedom of human will and the other emphasizes the sovereignty of God. Terminology inexactitudes and caricaturizations abound that cloud the issues, and the arguments wax eloquent and erudite. Historically, those holding these opposing Christian systems of thought killed each other!

Against all this, Jesus simply says, “You did not choose Me but I chose you…” Does this mean God chooses first and those chosen are predestined to believe or does this mean He chooses those who freely come to faith, and then chooses them to bear fruit? To answer this fully would invoke way more space than we have here. But, we must not miss the wonderful, irrefutable truth that regardless of what it means, He does the choosing, not the other way around. It is like being taken number one in the sports draft. We are His first choice! God wants us. He does not play hard to get, waiting for us to make the first move. “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Lk 19:10). He came to choose us and to appoint us to bear fruit. Now that is absolutely astounding and it is wonderful. He came to save sinners because He desired us. He desired me. He desired you!

The old illustrations still convey the message well. Salvation is like a door with a sign on the outside that says, “Whosoever will.” Once a person enters, he turns and looks back at the door, and the sign now says, “Chosen.” The intersection of the will of man and the sovereignty of God is impossible for us mere humans to fully comprehend; trying to fully resolve this dilemma now requires denying either full human culpability or God’s absolute sovereignty. This mystery finds resolution beyond our finite human comprehension, and only in the eternal dimension of God’s mind.

But this limitation of our understanding should not prevent us from enjoying the deep mysteries of God’s wisdom. Why did I believe and someone else didn’t? I cannot claim to be better because I have believed. I am left to simply rejoice in wonder that God wants me to serve in the mission of His Son.

Lord, what never ending joy, security and motivation You bring me with this great truth that You desire me as Your own, as Your friend.