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We are chosen, we are free

Do you know the Tim Hughes song Holding Nothing Back. It goes like this, 'I am chosen I am free'? It should really be, 'We are chosen, we are free.' Why? Because all those verses saying we're chosen are plural. Here are some examples:

What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:22

You did not choose me, but I chose you [plural] and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you [plural] whatever you [plural] ask in my name. John 15:16 

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. Ephesian 1:4-5

Since God chose you [plural] to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you [plural], because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction... 1Thessalonians 1:4-5

Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.” Revelation 17:14

You [plural] are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God's temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honour. And you [plural] are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you [plural] are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God... But you [plural] are not like that, for you [plural] are a chosen people. You [plural] are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you [plural] can show others the goodness of God, for he called you [plural] out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter 2:4-5, 9

Not only that, but we are chosen in Christ, who is the Messiah ('anointed' i.e. chosen one). In other words the fact we are 'united with Christ', as the NLT puts it, means we are chosen.

“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
   He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
   He will bring justice to the nations. . Isaiah 42:1

You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;
   I have sworn to David my servant:
‘I will establish your offspring forever,
   and build your throne for all generations.’ ” Psalm 89:3-4 

As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honour, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 1Peter 2:6 (see verses 4-5, 9 above)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Ephesian 1:3 

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6 

There are lots of songs about me and I but not so many about us. We are chosen, we are free. Of course we're free to go and bear fruit (Jhn 15:16, Eph 2:10) but, that's the subject for another blog...


NLT - New Living Translation
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