Approved. Chosen.

In Paul’s greetings, two things stood out to me today.

He says of a man named Apelles: “he is ‘approved in Christ.'”

And of a man named Rufus: “he is ‘chosen in the Lord.'”

The truth is, both things can be said of all of us. Why single these two men out?

Obviously, with as little information as we have on these men, anything we say is pure guesswork.

But perhaps both these men needed special encouragement that they were approved and chosen in the Lord.

The word “approved” often has the idea of “tested” in it. And so it’s possible that Apelles had faced some kind of testing in his life.

It might have been some kind of trial or persecution. And perhaps he sometimes wondered, “Why?”

But Paul lets him know, “Yes, you have faced trials, and it’s been tough for you. But you and your faith have come out like gold that has passed through the fire. Know that God says to you, “Well done!” (1 Peter 1:7)

As for Rufus, Paul says. “You are chosen in the Lord. Don’t forget who you are.”

But as Paul talked about earlier, Rufus was chosen not for how good he was, but because of God’s grace and mercy towards him. (Romans 9:11-17)

I say again, though: these words are not for them alone. They are for all of us who belong to Jesus.

So if you’re facing trials, keep trusting God and his goodness and love toward you. And you like Apelles will come out like gold. (Job 23:10)

And never forget who you are: You are chosen in the Lord.