The Schoolyard Pick

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit.” — John 15:16

Jesus speaks these words directly to the apostles—men personally chosen and commissioned to lay the foundation of the church. Their role is unique and unrepeatable. Yet the truth He reveals is not confined to their office. The apostles are singular in authority, but they are not singular in grace. Throughout Scripture, God consistently initiates relationships before human response, and those He calls are appointed with purpose.

This pattern is visible long before the apostles ever stood in that room.

Scripture does not tell us what Abram was doing in Ur when the Lord spoke, nor does it describe any prior seeking on his part. It simply records this: “The LORD said to Abram, ‘Go…’” (Genesis 12:1). The text places the initiative squarely with God and the response with Abram. Israel likewise was chosen not because of strength, number, or virtue, but because of God’s love and promise, and only afterwards were they given the law that would govern their conduct (Deuteronomy 7:7–8). Jeremiah was appointed before he spoke, before he served, before he could object (Jeremiah 1:5). Paul was set apart by grace and then confronted, called, and commissioned (Acts 9; Galatians 1:15–16).

The apostles, then, are not the exception. They are the clearest expression of a consistent biblical reality: God speaks first, God calls first, and those He calls are summoned into obedience and fruit-bearing.

The idea of being chosen by God often meets resistance. For some, it feels unfair. For others, it sounds exclusive—as though it removes human responsibility or excuses careless living. The pushback usually comes quickly: If God chooses, then what about obedience? What about effort? What about accountability?

Yet Scripture is not uneasy with this tension.

 

The Schoolyard Pick

Think back to a schoolyard. Two captains stand facing a line of kids. One by one, names are called. You don’t choose yourself. You hear your name and step forward.

That moment reflects a biblical reality:

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).

Grace initiates. God calls first. We respond second.

 

Loved and Chosen Before You Perform

When your name is called, nothing has yet been proven. No goals scored. No distance run.
The choice was made before performance.

That is grace.

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
“He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4).

We are loved and chosen not because of what we have done, but because of who He is.
Grace always precedes response.

But grace never ends the story there.

 

Once Chosen, Responsibility Begins

No one steps onto the field and says, “I’ve been chosen; therefore, I don’t have to play.”
Being chosen brings weight. You now represent the captain who picked you.

“Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you” (Philippians 2:12–13).

Grace does not replace effort—it empowers it.

Once chosen, expectations are clear:

• You show up
• You listen to instruction
• You play your position
• You give effort
• You pursue the goal

Not to earn your place—but because you already have one.

“Created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).

Grace gets you onto the team. Responsibility governs how you play.

 

The Danger of Pride

Even in the schoolyard, those chosen first can become proud. They may feel superior, glance down the line at others, or assume their place was earned.

The same danger exists in our understanding of being chosen by God. Pride can arise from assuming God chose us because we were better, or from thinking we chose God wisely or quickly.

This reflects the Arminian emphasis on human response. While it rightly stresses responsibility, it can drift into pride: “I believed because I was more open, more discerning, more willing than others.” Scripture cuts across that assumption:

“Who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
“By grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God—so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Election humbles before it exalts. Effort matters once chosen, but it did not place us on the team.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6)
“God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise… so that no human being might boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:27–29)

We step onto the field not looking down on others but looking back at the Captain who called our name—and forward to the responsibility that now rests on us.

 

The Goal Has Not Changed

Every game has rules. Every match has an objective.

“Run in such a way as to obtain the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24)

The Christian life is not aimless.
Holiness, obedience, and endurance are not optional.

“Without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14)

Election does not remove the goal—it makes it possible to pursue it.

 

Love, Discipline, and Correction

A good captain corrects his players.
A loving God disciplines His children.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves” (Hebrews 12:6)

Correction is not rejection. Discipline is evidence of sonship.

“If you are without discipline… you are not sons” (Hebrews 12:8)

If there is no correction, no conviction, no shaping, we must ask whether we are truly playing—or merely wearing the jersey.

 

Grace and Truth on the Same Field

“The Word became flesh… full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)

Not grace without truth. Not truth without grace.

Grace calls your name.
Truth trains your conduct.
Love keeps you on the field.

“If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13)

 

Conclusion

You are loved beyond measure.
You are chosen intentionally.
And you are accountable biblically.

“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8)

The captain called your name.
You’re on the team.

Now run.
Play your position.
And aim for the win.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

Love Part 3

 

True Love and what that looks like…

Many talks about love—romantic love, friendship, family love—but how many truly understand what love is? The Bible tells us the answer is found not in the world around us, but in God Himself.

We can never fully know true love apart from knowing God, because God is love in His very essence. 1 John 4:8 declares: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” True love does not start with emotion, feelings, or actions; it begins with a relationship with the One who is love.

When we encounter God, we encounter love that is sacrificial, patient, and unwavering. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Love is measured in selfless action, not in words or fleeting feelings.

Knowing God transforms our hearts. 1 John 4:7 reminds us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” Love flows from God through us. Without Him, our love is incomplete, inconsistent, and often conditional.

 

The World’s Definition of Love

The world tells us, love is:

• A feeling or emotion – “I love you because of how you make me feel.”
• Romantic or physical attraction – “Love is passion, desire, and chemistry.”
• Conditional and transactional – “I’ll love you if you meet my needs or expectations.”
• Temporary or fleeting – “Love lasts as long as the feeling lasts.”

The problem is, these definitions are limited, unstable, and self-focused. They measure love by what we receive, not what we give, and they are easily shaken by disappointment, conflict, or change.

In contrast, God’s love is eternal, unconditional, and sacrificial:

• It is action, not just emotion – Jesus laid down His life for us (John 15:13).
• It is unconditional – Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
• It transforms us – God’s love fills us, enabling us to love others in ways we could never manage on our own (1 John 4:19).
• It endures all things – 1 Corinthians 13:7: “Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

The world tells us love is about how it feels or what we get. God teaches us love is about who we are in Him and what we give.  Biblical Love is Available to All

Biblical truth about love is available to anyone who seeks it with intent. The Scriptures lay out the principles clearly, and the path is open to all who desire to understand. But true love—real change in how we live, think, and respond—is the work of the Holy Spirit. Knowledge alone can inform, but the Spirit transforms.

 

Knowing God Teaches Us to Love

True love isn’t something we simply learn from books, movies, or even relationships—it is cultivated in the heart of someone who knows God. When we spend time with Him, His love transforms us from the inside out.

• It teaches patience and kindness – 1 Corinthians 13:4: “Love is patient, love is kind.” In daily life, this means responding gently instead of reacting harshly and acting in someone’s best interest even when inconvenient.
• It humbles us and removes self-interest – God’s love isn’t about getting; it’s about giving. When we imitate Him, we stop keeping score and start serving others without expectation.
• It empowers forgiveness – Colossians 3:13: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
• It perseveres through challenges – 1 Corinthians 13:7: love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Knowing God doesn’t make love effortless, but it makes it real, steadfast, and transformative. The more we abide in Him, the more His love becomes our default response—in our families, friendships, and even toward strangers.

True love is learned in the school of God. Every act of patience, forgiveness, and selfless giving reflects the love we’ve first received from Him.

 

Conclusion

True love begins with God. Anything else is imitation—beautiful at times, but incomplete. The world’s definitions are fleeting, conditional, and self-centred. God’s love is eternal, unconditional, and transformative.

Biblical love is available to anyone who seeks it, but true application and lasting change require the work of the Holy Spirit. To love like God, we must first know Him, receive His Spirit, and allow His love to flow through us. Then, love becomes more than emotion—it becomes a reflection of God’s nature in every part of our lives.

True love is not learned in the world; it is received from God, nurtured in the heart by His Spirit, and expressed in selfless action. Seek Him first and let His love guide every step.

 

To God be the glory for now and evermore, Amen and Amen!

Signing off,

Tyrone

Loved part 2...

 

Loved, Chosen, and Accountable: Walking in Grace and Truth,

reviewed part 2

Before I begin, I want to make something clear: my intent is not to judge, condemn, or point fingers. I write from a place of love, out of a desire to help others see truth clearly. I also speak from experience—having been on the receiving end of serious discipline, I have wrestled with sin and endured correction firsthand. I do not claim to have arrived; the process continues to have a profoundly positive effect on my life, shaping my character, influencing my decisions, and deepening my walk with God. I believe it will continue to play its part in my life, even to the death of the flesh. I speak not as one who theorises about obedience or grace, but as someone who has been humbled, strengthened, and transformed by the Father’s hand. I hope that this post will encourage, warn, and guide, not shame. These are thoughts and concerns I have carried for some time, and over the coming weeks, we will continue to explore them carefully. Not emotionally. Not defensively. But biblically.

God hates sin. Not on a whim. Not to assert power. But because sin destroys. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Sin blinds, hardens, and separates. “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Habakkuk 1:13). God’s hatred of sin is not cruelty — it is love that refuses to let His children walk into ruin.

And yet, even while we were sinners, God’s love was already active. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love is not a reward for good behaviour; it flows from His nature. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16).

God’s election reminds us that salvation is His work from beginning to end. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4–5). Election is not an excuse for sin; it is the foundation of grace.

At the same time, Scripture never removes human responsibility. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). God’s sovereignty does not cancel obedience. Election and responsibility are not enemies—they work together.

Grace, therefore, is powerful — but it is never permission. Paul confronts this directly: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” (Romans 6:1–2). True grace transforms. “The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions” (Titus 2:11–12). Where grace is present, change follows.

This brings us to discipline — one of the most neglected truths in the modern Church. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6). Discipline is not rejection; it is proof of sonship. Scripture is direct: “If you are not disciplined… then you are not legitimate, not true sons” (Hebrews 12:8). A father who never corrects is not loving — he is indifferent.

This must be understood soberly. I did not hide my sin; I confessed it. It was known. It was addressed. And yet, despite confession, I continued in the same pattern of sexual sin. This exposes a difficult but necessary truth: confession alone does not automatically break the power of the flesh. Paul gives words to that struggle: “For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19).

Because of that persistence, discipline became severe. Paul writes of a man being handed over to Satan “for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 5:5). That verse should never be quoted lightly. It speaks of serious, last-resort correction — not to destroy a man, but to save him.

This was discipline because of sexual immorality — not hidden, not denied, but repeated. The aim was not humiliation or abandonment. The aim was the destruction of the flesh — the unchecked desires that were leading towards ruin. And the verse must always be read to the end: “so that his spirit may be saved.” Even here, the purpose is redemption.

The flesh hated this process. Mine did. It resisted, argued, and fought. “The flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17). I was not looking for grace to escape the discipline, but grace to endure it without becoming bitter. “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Grace did not remove the pressure — it sustained me under it.

The discipline itself was not always delivered perfectly. Human weakness and mixed motives are part of any earthly process. Yet Scripture proved true: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). God did not excuse what was flawed, nor did He waste what was painful. He remained fully in control of the process, the pressure, and the outcome.

I am deeply grateful to God my Father for His discipline. Discipline did not distance me from God — it grounded me in Him. It removed self-deception and taught me that holiness matters, obedience matters, and grace is never cheap.

Discipline for the believer is not condemnation. Christ has already borne that judgment. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Discipline is training. “Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11).

The absence of discipline should concern us more than its presence. If there is no conviction, no wrestling with sin, no grief when we wander, Scripture does not offer comfort — it calls for examination. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5).

This is the full gospel:

• God hates sin because it destroys.
• God loves sinners, even in rebellion.
• God elects, and His choice secures salvation.
• Humans are responsible — to repent, believe, and obey.
• Grace transforms; it never excuses.
• Discipline proves adoption and restores.
• The absence of discipline calls for sober self-examination.

Love invites.
Repentance responds.
Grace empowers.
Discipline corrects.

This gospel is not cheap. It is not easy. But it is true. Chosen, redeemed, disciplined, and accountable — under the care of a Father whose love refuses to let His children perish.

 

May the love of God be your portion

 

Signing off,

Tyrone

Loved!

 

These are some of my thoughts and concerns I have considered, and we will spend some time over the next weeks unpacking this…

Loved, Chosen, and Accountable: Walking in Grace and Truth

God hates sin. Not on a whim. Not to assert power. But because sin destroys. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Sin blinds, hardens, and separates. “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing” (Habakkuk 1:13). His hatred of sin is love refusing to let His children walk into ruin.

And yet, even while we were sinners, God’s love was real. “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). His love is not a reward for good behaviour; it flows from His nature. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16).

God’s election reminds us that salvation is His gift from beginning to end. “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5). Election is not an excuse for sin; it is a foundation for grace.

At the same time, we are called to responsibility. “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out” (Acts 3:19). “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). God’s sovereignty does not remove human response — election and responsibility work together.

Grace is powerful, but it is never a licence to sin. Paul asked, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” (Romans 6:1-2). True grace transforms and teaches: “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:11-12).

God also disciplines those He loves. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:6). Discipline is not punishment but proof of adoption, the hand of a Father guiding His children away from destruction. “If you are not disciplined… then you are not legitimate, not true sons” (Hebrews 12:8). If there is no conviction, no wrestling with sin, no hunger for holiness, Scripture warns us to examine our spiritual standing.

The gospel is at once sovereign and demanding. It calls us to see clearly:

• God hates sin because it destroys.

• God loves sinners, even in their rebellion.

• God elects, and His choice secures salvation.

• Humans are responsible — to hear, repent, believe, and obey.

• Grace transforms and empowers, never excuses.

• Discipline proves adoption, restores, and warns.

• Absence of discipline signals a need for self-examination.

Love invites.
Repentance responds.
Grace empowers.
Discipline corrects.

This is the full gospel: not cheap, not easy, but true. Chosen, redeemed, empowered, and accountable — fully under the care of a Father whose heart beats for His children and refuses to let them perish.

 

Signing off

 

Tyrone

He Cares

 

He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Pause and let that sink in. The Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, bends His ear to hear you, not as a distant ruler, but as a Father who knows every detail of your life. We are called His sons and daughters. What a privilege! What a wonder! And it is all because of the finished work of Jesus Christ. Because of His sacrifice, we can boldly cry “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15) and know that He hears us. Nothing is lost. Nothing is ignored.

And this is not a casual privilege—it is the most profound reality a believer can know. For thousands of years, no man could approach the Father without a veil. Now, through Christ, we have access. His Spirit lives in us. Jesus reveals the Father. And we can come boldly, confident that He listens and cares.

“Nor was it to offer Himself repeatedly… But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:25-26)

 

Discipline: Proof You Belong

Here is a truth the world will never cheer: God disciplines those He loves. Not out of anger, not out of irritation, but because His children matter.

“For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:6)

Do not ignore this. To be without discipline is to be illegitimate, not a son (Hebrews 12:8). The world mocks correction, complains about boundaries and celebrates freedom without responsibility. But God’s Word is clear: discipline is proof of belonging. It is the Father shaping us into Christlikeness.

Every correction, every conviction, every piercing word of the Spirit is mercy. It is His hand guiding, protecting, and shaping you. The High Priest understands, for He Himself was tempted in every way, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).

Discipline is not punishment—it is formation. It is not rejection—it is love. And in a generation that shuns accountability, the disciplined life marks those who truly belong to God.

 

Blessings Beyond Wealth

Now hear this carefully: God’s blessings are not judged by wealth. Absolutely not. In fact, the Lord sometimes blesses through apparent scarcity. He reminds us:

“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (Luke 9:58)

And yet, His provision is perfect:

“Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Luke 12:24)

True blessings are faithfulness, peace, spiritual growth, obedience, and alignment with His will. Material wealth does not define His care. The richest life may look like poverty to the world, yet be overflowing in His kingdom. Discipline often prepares us for the blessings we cannot yet see.

 

Standing Firm Against the Noise of the World

Turn on the radio, scroll social media, or watch the news—everywhere there are voices opposed to God’s truth. They preach self-gratification, freedom without boundaries, and obedience as a form of oppression. They call conviction “shame” and holiness “legalism.”

But we are not governed by opinions, by culture, or by perception; we are governed by Scripture.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

Let the world shout. Let voices rise. Let culture mock. You have a Father whose Word is ultimate. You have a Son who intercedes for you. You have a Spirit who teaches you. And you have the assurance that discipline, care, and blessing all flow from His perfect love.

 

The Gift No One Wants but Every Son Needs

Discipline is a gift. Proof you are His. Proof you belong. Proof that He cares. And blessing is far more than wealth. It is faithfulness. Peace. Obedience. Spiritual growth. Provision in every need according to His perfect plan.

“Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Receive it. Cherish it. Walk in it. The Father disciplines because He loves. The Son has opened the way. The Spirit guides. And all His blessings, measured by eternity, cannot fail.

He cares for you. He disciplines because He loves. He calls you His own. He blesses beyond measure, not by the world’s standards, but by His perfect Word.

Walk in that truth today.

 

“Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” 

 

Signing off,

Tyrone