I've shared this before but it seems few listen, and even fewer ever change their opinion after hearing. The word called isn't defined as some sort of beckoning cry for people to accept Jesus as their savior, it is a word of declaration that they already have accepted. And the word chosen is not referencing something that is up to God, but rather it is referencing those of us 'who made of ourselves to be chosen vessels or "vessels of honor"' (2Tim 2:21). We choose that by the obedience that comes from being led of the Sspirit (Sspirit = The Holy Spirit and/or our holy 'born again' spirit...which are one)
MAT 22:14 For many are called/kletos, but few are chosen/eklektos.
2822 kletos: invited ie appointed, or (spec) a saint
1588 eklektos: select; by impl. favorite
This verse could more correctly be translated as
For many are Christians, but few are favored (because of their obedience)
While I typically am vehemently opposed to universalism, that interpretation just might be valid.
Mark 2:17 And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to
call the righteous, but sinners."
The righteous were already accepted by God.
For many are accepted, but few are favored.
Acts 10:34 Opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality,
Acts 10:35 (NIV) but
accepts men from every nation
who fear him and
do what is right.
Luke 1:28 And coming in, he said to her, "Greetings,
favored one!
The Lord is with you."
Isaiah 57:15 For thus says the high and exalted One
Who lives forever, whose name is Holy,
"
I dwell on a high and holy place,
And also
with the contrite and lowly of spirit
In order to revive the spirit of the lowly
And to revive the heart of the contrite.
Luke 1:48 "For He has had
regard for
the humble state of His bondslave;
For behold, from this time on all generations will count me blessed.
There is distinction between the righteous and the humble.
For many are righteous, but few are humble.
This is the proper interpretation!!!!!!
Gen. 4:4-5 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
Gen. 4:7 (NIV) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
1 Samuel 15:22 Samuel said,
"Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
As in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,
And to heed than the fat of rams.
1 Cor. 13:1-3 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 Cor. 3:6 for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
2 Cor. 12:9-10 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
3And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
John 6:63 " It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.
John 6:63 (NLT) The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
Service is nothing without humility, without desire for God.