“I would venture to say that it is the Reformed who believe in the “elite,” the “chosen” (elect). This is a deformation of what the “elect” mean. God chooses individuals and even groups of individuals to carry the burden of righteousness, not of self-righteousness. There is a big difference.”
kosta - please advise where you find a Biblical reference that God chooses groups to carry “the burden of righteousness”. Also, why do you call Christ’s imputed righteousness a burden? The Lord Himself says His burden is light - and I think the burden would be the reaction of the worldlings to Him and us. His righteousness is not a burden, but a cause for rejoicing, in my book.
Well, that would be all over the Bible, MWD. A load is a load regardless if the one who is burdened carries it with joy or not. Some people God chose were loaded with incredible burden—Abraham, Moses, John the Baptist, Mary, the prophets and the disciples, etc. and let's not forget Jesus (in His human nature). And in John 17, He places the burden of people believing in Jesus on the words of His disciples, on the work of the clergy. Of course, the champions of faith, the saints, took their burden in strict obedience and complete faith in God, with joy as you say, and humility.