I have always struggled personally with the biblical teaching on predestination. And the way some renowned theologians have sought to explain it only seemed to make matters worse. How could I be chosen when I felt so rejected? Or am I the only one? However, my recent studies in Acts (with the help of John Stott's commentary) have helped tremendously in putting the issue to rest, though it still needs my daily affirmation of the truth, for the enemy misses no opportunity to undermine it. Knowing we are indeed chosen is a wonderful and powerful source of joy and security.

Jesus died for all, including you and me! "Jesus Christ, the Righteous one, is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John 2:2). "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).   

Without any doubt whatsoever, every believer is chosen. "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ … For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption into his family through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves" (Eph. 1:3-5). 

"When the Gentiles heard this [that they, as well as the Jews, could be saved by grace through faith] they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers" (Acts 13:48).

All who are chosen for eternal life will become believers! The word "chosen" is powerful and emphatic. It means "ordained, assigned, appointed, enrolled and inscribed in the Book of Life before the world was made"! If you truly love Jesus, meditate on that for a moment and rejoice.

The converse (opposite and contrary) is not so. "It is significant that in this very passage those who reject the gospel are regarded as having done so freely and deliberately, because they did not consider themselves worthy of eternal life."

Jesus said to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one is going to attack you and harm you, because I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9-10). "They had not yet believed in him, but they would do so, because already, according to his purpose, they belonged to him. This conviction is the greatest of all encouragements to an evangelist". I would add that it is also the greatest of all encouragements to every child of God. The chosen will be searched for and found. They will hear the Gospel and they will respond. They will be hidden with Christ in God. They will be eternally gripped in Jesus' hands. They will be made perfect for ever. And they will be kept strong to the end and presented before the Father blameless!