Chosen, According to the Foreknowledge of God

Wade Taylor

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, to obedience.”  I Peter 1:2a

Our “election” is the result of the inner spiritual “potential” that the Lord sees to be within us.  In “foreknowledge” He knows those who will respond to Him in submissive, willing obedience (elect ... to obedience).

“If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.”  Isaiah 1:19

He then chooses, or “elects” those whom in “foreknowledge,” He sees to have the capacity and fortitude to fulfill the “potential” that is “buried” deep within them.

“For the kingdom of heaven is as a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.”  Matthew 25:14-15

The Lord is at work, preparing those who, with a pure heart toward Him, “choose” (overcomers) to rise above all the pressures and problems of their life circumstances.  This requires a determined “set of spirit,” and “heart obedience.”

Through “foreknowledge,” the Lord knew before we were born, the choices that we would make.  Therefore, He quietly guides us accordingly, toward His will and purpose for us.

“I have compared you, O My love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots.”  Song of Solomon 1:9

This becomes a very powerful and penetrating compliment when it is properly understood.  Challenged by the “spiritual potential” (a company of horses) that had been undeveloped, or dormant within this one who is “elect,” the Lord revealed His intention to bring into open view the very best, and use this for His eternal purposes.

Pharaoh was the greatest of the world's rulers at that time.  His agents were sent throughout the known world to seek immature ponies with “potential.”  From among these, the horses that would pull his chariot were prepared through intense, progressive training and discipline.  At special times, these carefully chosen horses were hitched to the chariot of the king.  Then in a resplendent demonstration of beauty, power, and harmony, they brought forth the king into full view, displaying him in all of his regal glory.

So also, the Lord is preparing those whom He sees (foreknowledge) to have this potential, to be “hitched” to the chariot of the King of all kings and bring Him forth, in all His regal glory, in “that day,” to be displayed to the nations.

“And have made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”  Revelation 5:10

“For many are called, but few are chosen.”  Matthew 22:14

In 1943, I entered a small chapel in an Army Camp west of Savannah Georgia.  When I was sure no one was there, I knelt and prayed, “God, if you will get me through this war alive, I will go into the ministry, when I get out of the army.”

I had no intention of saying this, but afterward, I felt that something tremendous had happened.  I ran to the PX to listen to the news, because I thought that maybe Hitler had surrendered.  I was disappointed when there was nothing different.  I had no ability at that time to understand that something very important did happen.  I had opened my life to the Lord, and He responded.  In “foreknowledge,” He saw my life committed to Him and this article being written.

While praying alone in this chapel, an “election” had taken place, and from that day, my life was altered and directed by the Lord, even though I was not aware of it.  The circumstances or things that could have frustrated or hindered His plan and purpose for my life were being channeled or altered by the Lord.  Through “foreknowledge,” the Lord saw that I would choose Him and rightly respond, and therefore, His “election” was established upon my life.

The Lord knows the intent of our heart (all that we desire to be and have), and “if” we will yield this to His higher purpose for us.  Thus, His “election” is not arbitrary, but rather, it is the result of the fact that He sees the end from the beginning, in each of our lives.  He is the Alpha and the Omega.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  Romans 12:1-2

There is much that will be required of us, and the Lord knows whether we will rightly respond or not.

“To him that overcomes will I grant...”  Revelation 3:21a

To “overcome,” means that we will rightly respond to the Lord, and “rise above” all that could hinder our walk with Him.

“Now therefore, if you will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure to Me above all the people: for all the earth is Mine: And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.  These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.

“Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words ... and all the people answered together and said, All that the Lord has spoken we will do.”  Exodus 19:5-8

The intentions of the people were good, but they did not do as they had said.  Good intentions are not enough.  I had told the Lord that I would serve Him, if he would protect my life.  I was discharged from the Army in the fall of 1945, and hardly went to church for the next five years, totally forgetting the promise I had made.  But today, I am serving Him because the Lord “remembered” what I had forgotten.  Except for His foreknowledge and election, I would not be in the relationship to Him that I presently have.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works.”  Ephesians 2:10a

I was now “His workmanship” and the Lord was very busy, working deep within my life circumstances.  I had come into the ownership of a very prosperous business, but somehow felt that there must be something more to life.  I began to feel a “tug” at my heart to sell this business, submit my life to the Lord, and go to Bible school.

The Lord had placed this “tug” within, as He knew that when the right time came, I would give Him specific permission to break into my life and do as He pleases.  He is the “workman,” but He will not work within our personal lives unless we give Him permission to do so.

I had totally forgotten the commitment I had made while in the army.  But I had responded to His tug on my spirit, and placed Him first in my life.  The same day, after I sold the business, the Lord quickened my memory and said, “You forgot, but I didn't.”  In that day in the army chapel, the Lord saw that I would choose Him above a prosperous business.

I thought that I could never be successful in the ministry, but I had gone to Bible school to serve the Lord, so I decided I would pioneer a church.  Then, I would not be imposing myself on people, as they would have chosen to be in the meetings.  On July 4, 1959, along with my family, I began to drive toward Philadelphia to begin this ministry.

I knew about Pinecrest, but I had pushed this from my thinking.  It was a new school that was a part of the Italian branch of the Assemblies of God.  Their stated purpose was to train the younger Italian generation to preach the Gospel in Italian.

I thought, “This is not for me.”  I began to drive toward Philadelphia, and the Lord sovereignly told me to turn around and go to Pinecrest.  That evening at Pinecrest, I prayed, “Lord, You know I don't want to be here, but I desire Your best.”  In response, the Lord clearly said, “For the hardness of your heart (because I had been listening to my head), I will let you go to Philadelphia and I will give you a ministry there and I will bless it, but this is where I want you.”

I responded in heart obedience and the next day, I enrolled as a student.  The school was open for three years and then merged into another school.  I was there for all but a short time during these three years, during which the Lord worked profoundly in my life in preparation for all that would follow.  During this time, I was alone, praying, and suddenly, I was standing before the Throne of God.  I couldn't see shape or form because I was blinded by the glory, but I was facing God.

Through the “impartation” that flowed into my being, I knew that I would establish a school on that property, to prepare a people for the end-time purpose of the Lord.  This has happened, and Pinecrest Bible Training Center began with forty students on September 1, 1968.  The school has been in operation now for over thirty-five years.  A few years ago, I received a very clear word from the Lord that I am to be in Washington DC and presently, I am living just five blocks from the Capital.

Had I followed the desire I had, I would have gone to Philadelphia and Pinecrest as it is, would not have come into existence.  The Lord saw this on that day in 1943 when I knelt before Him in the Army chapel, and His “election” for this purpose settled upon my life.

Each one of us has a testimony as to how the Lord apprehended our lives, and how His “election” brought us to where we are, at this present time.  May His “election” upon your life have its full outworking, so you can have your part in being hitched to the chariot of the King of all kings, to bring Him forth into open view, as every knee bows.