According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:2 KJV
Chosen
The minister selected to feed God’s flock has been chosen through God the Father’s foreknowledge of all things (1 Peter 1:2). The selection process is not of human initiative but a divine one (John 15:16). Since the Father declares the end from the beginning, it is not what is currently seen that is relevant but what each minister can become that is critical (Isaiah 42:9). God’s foreknowledge judges the heart, the potential and the future reality of each minister. So when the Lord chooses, His choice is always correct. For example, Peter, James and John were chosen to be pillars of the faith despite their strong, abrasive, bold, aggressive personalities (Galatians 2:9; Mark 3:17; Luke 9:54; John 18:10; Matthew 20:20-28).
Set apart
Being chosen is different from being ordained and empowered to do specific work. The Holy Spirit anoints, ordains and empowers individuals with the ability to do God’s work i.e. spiritual work (1 Peter 1:2). As self dies this divine power is observed in increased amounts (John 3:30; 2 Corinthians 4:7). The minister of God is not available to participate anywhere, anytime or in anything. He or she is on reserve for the Lord’s specific, unlimited use (2 Timothy 2:4).
Obedience
The hallmark of Christ’s disciples is obedience (Matthew 28:20). The unique signature of God’s minister will be obedience to Christ (1 Peter 1:2). The goal of service is to please one’s commanding officer (2 Timothy 2:4). To actively serve Christ, the minister must continue to please Christ in the future as has been done in the past (Galatians 1:10; Hebrews 13:20,21). On most occasions pleasing Christ will not please people (James 4:4). The minister’s goal is not man’s approval but the approval of the commanding officer. The chosen under-shepherds are not left to their own devices. They are not to devise plans and programs of their own choosing; instead they are to obey Christ’s specific instructions.
Examples of the one the Lord approves
And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. Luke 3:22 KJV And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Luke 4:1 KJV
…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will… For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: Acts 13:22,36 KJV He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: from following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands. Psalm 78:70-72 KJV
And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:17-19 KJV Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23 KJV