1 Thessalonians 1:4

Brothers and sisters, God loves you. And we know that he has chosen you to be his people.

Many people want to know if they have been chosen by God before they look to Christ. They cannot learn it this way, it is only discovered by "looking to Jesus." If you desire to determine your own status, how do you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost, guilty sinner? Go straight to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell him that you have read in the Bible that He said, "Whatever the Father gives to me will come to me; and I will not send away anyone who comes to me.." Tell him that he has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for as surely as you believe, you are one of the chosen. If you will give yourself up wholly to Christ and trust him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elected," you don't understand what you are asking. Go to Jesus, just as you are, no matter how guilty. Leave all curiousity about election alone. Go straight to Christ and be healed in his wounds, and you will know you are chosen. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you will be able to say, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him." Christ is at the everlasting council: he can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out in any other way. Go and put your trust in him, and his answer will be--"I love you with an everlasting love. So I will continue to show you my kindness" There will be no doubt about his having chosen you, when you have chosen him.

• "Sons we are through God's election,
• Who in Jesus Christ believe."