It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory honour of kings is to search out a matter.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.25.2&version=KJV
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear [and worship] the Lord your God [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], to walk [that is, to live each and every day] in all His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul [your choices, your thoughts, your whole being], and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deut.10.12,Deut.10.13&version=AMP
1 Corinthians 2:7
” No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.”
1 Corinthians 2:8
” None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”
The chosen of God is Christ himself and here are the attributes of Christ which also are given to us…these are specific positions given to all of us in relation to scripture..Lively Stones, Spiritual House, Royal Priesthood, Holy Nation & Peculiar People! This is WHO the church is! But some are disobedient.
Remember: this relates to “thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in heaven”
To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,”
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.4.KJV
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.5.KJV
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.9.KJV
Those who are disobedient and stumble due to the word are actually “appointed” to consider Christ a stumbling stone:
” Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,”
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.7.KJV
” And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.“
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.8.KJV
Now that we see how we are chosen, let’s examine what being called looks like:
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:“
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.21.KJV
” For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
http://olivetree.com/b2/1Pet.2.25.KJV
We have to know the shepherd to hear the Shepherd call:
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John.10.14,John.10.15,John.10.16,John.10.17&version=KJV
Note: The stumbling stone of offense is evident as we see here:
Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me.
But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John.10.24,John.10.25,John.10.26,John.10.27,John.10.28,John.10.30,John.10.31&version=KJV
The Jews were called, but due to disobedience, they saw Christ as a stumbling stone.
Scripture shows us how obedience to the call will work as described by Paul:
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rom.1.1,Rom.1.2,Rom.1.3,Rom.1.4,Rom.1.5,Rom.1.6,Rom.1.7,Rom.1.8,Rom.1.9,Rom.1.10,Rom.1.11,Rom.1.12&version=KJV
What gift was Paul alluding to? We do not know. The New Testament gives us the ability to understand the call of the chosen. Paul’s journey and experiences reflect what Christ described when receiving gifts(an inheritance from Christ) and walking in the call after being chosen.
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.4.7&version=KJV
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their’s and our’s: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Cor.1.1,1Cor.1.2,1Cor.1.4,1Cor.1.5,1Cor.1.6,1Cor.1.7,1Cor.1.8,1Cor.1.9,1Cor.1.24,1Cor.1.26,1Cor.1.29&version=KJV
In conclusion
All of Eph. 4 describes an incredible visual to how every aspect of our belief in Christ is hinged on his head being attached to his (church body) through his resurrection power and the return to receive his kingdom…through UNITY of the spirit and BOND of peace as the body grow up INTO him which is the head and is compacted by every joint through LOVE.
Paul gives us insight in what it looks like with these primary scriptures:
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; (Christ being attached as head of the body)
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Eph.4.3,Eph.4.13,Eph.4.15,Eph.4.16,Eph.4.23,Eph.4.24&version=KJV
The word indicates how the body looks like when it is prepared for Christ’s return.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Phil.2.5,Phil.2.6,Phil.2.7,Phil.2.8&version=KJV
This is confirmed by the called being accepted as servants and the chosen (Apostles) as martyrs.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,
And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
For many are called, but few are chosen.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matt.22.2,Matt.22.3,Matt.22.14&version=KJV