Did God choose us or did we choose Him?

[ArmyWife08]

Does God choose His followers? Or is it really US that needs to go to Him for forgiveness?

If I look back I feel like it was easy for me to believe. I wanted to believe. I remember the day I got saved. I was 13 years old. I also remember how I slid away for a few years after that and asked God's forgiveness. If I think of it now, perhaps he allowed my backslide so I could share my testimony with others. This is why I ask if it is Him that chooses us individually as his followers?

Do all who are truly saved have a testimony?

 

[rojoloco]

Both. We most definitely choose God but it is only because He first chose us. Some will have you believe He chose us only because we first chose Him but that flies in the face of everything Scripture has to say on our fallen nature. Before regeneration, we hated God and everything He stood for. We were at war with Him. However, God had a plan. He chose you before the foundation of the Earth. He sent His Son to die for you despite the fact that you would hate Him and not stand with Him for a time. He regenerated your spirit and made you white as snow instead of condemning you to Hell for your transgressions. He rebirthed you in Christ so that you would yearn for your Savior. You are His because He called you. You chose Him because He redeemed you and gave you a heart of flesh instead of allowing you to keep your heart of stone. Had He never intervened, we would all still have a heart of stone and gladly reject Him. It is because of His love that we can love Him. The world hates us because it hated Him first. In the same way, we only love Him because He first loved us.

I have a testimony as well. I believe God allowed me to fall away for a time. However, as a shepherd goes out to bring back the lost sheep, so did Christ go out and bring me back into the fold. Now I know beyond a shadow of a doubt where my safety is at and who I can trust with my soul. I am also now equipped with a testimony to share with others in hope that they may do the same should God be calling them into His presence as well.

 

[Boanerges]

Both. We most definitely choose God but it is only because He first chose us.

My brother, I have always believed in miracles but here we have a confirmed one- you and I are agreeing on something!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have a blessed day RJ!
Much love in Christ,
your brother (or bother?) Larry.

 

[Brighthouse]

Dear LORD!! Yes Boanerges!! Both is a good answer!!Those who seek, which we did!! find!Matt 7:7 and God did chose us as well!! John 15:16 nice !!

 

[april showers]

God is sovereign

John 15:16 (New International Version, ©2010)

<SUP id=en-NIV-26716 class=versenum>16</SUP> You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.