Does God choose us, or do we choose God?

John 1:9, 12The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. . . . But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.

Ephesians 1:4-5Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.

God’s desire has always been to have a family. He takes pleasure in bringing people into his family through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it possible for anyone who believes and accepts him to become a member of the family of God.

Romans 9:13-16, 22In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.” Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. . . . In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction.

2 Timothy 1:9God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 2:9You are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

James 1:18He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.

God’s choosing us is a reflection of his character—love, kindness, goodness, mercy, compassion, and patience—not a reflection of ours. We can be loving, for example, but God IS love.

John 15:14-16“You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

Jesus has chosen you and called you to make a choice.

Deuteronomy 30:19-20“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life.”

1 Kings 18:21Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.

The choice of loving, obeying, and following God is yours to make. No one can make it for you.