Thursday, September 08, 2011

God Calls You Chosen People

Metaphor: Chosen People
Concept: Those chosen or selected by God that we might declare the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Col 3:12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
1 Peter 2:9  But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.  [Ex 19:5,6.] AMP
Within these verses are two distinct truths.

1.      The choice of God. In that choosing we rejoice and trust.

2.      The responsibility that comes as those who are chosen to serve or represent God in this world. ‘To set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light.

This sound like an accomplishment we are totally unable to accomplish until we allow ourselves to be reminded that it is Him working in us, that it is by His spirit and not our might or abilities and that it is by His amazing grace operating in our lives every day not just at salvation.
It is with the daily realization of these truths that we can count ourselves His chosen people and be at peace knowing that He is at work accomplishing all this through us as we yield to Him!

 This is beautifully stated in Heb 13:20-21  Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),  [Isa 55:3; 63:11; Ezek 37:26; Zech 9:11.] 21 Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it). AMP
Artwork: bride of Christ by Danny Hahlbohm

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