The Lord's Chosen

If one wins a raffle and a cheque is issued or one does a job and the person he did the job for gives him a cheque; unless the cheque is taken to and/or presented in a bank, the cheque is just but a piece of paper, it amounts to nothing. Many Christians are like that, in that, they are not availing themselves of the unlimited promises of God. They may put them on a plaque on the wall, show it to everyone but practically they never actually use God’s promises in their daily lives. Peter wants us to know that… “God has granted to us everything we need for life and godliness through knowing Christ and trusting in His all-sufficient promises.”

We have all these because we are a “chosen people”, one set aside for God. Linage of “royal priests”, “a holy nation”, “a peculiar people” and “God’s own possession”. God did all these so we can show others the goodness of God, for he called us out of the darkness into his wonderful light. "Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God's people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God's mercy."

This idea of being chosen includes free will. People have free will, so are free to choose to serve Christ or not. However, all who believe in Christ become part of that chosen people, through salvation. Hard times and difficulties may challenge our resolve and create questions in the hearts of even very strong believers. Questions like, am I really a Christian or have I somehow forsaken God unknowingly, does a real Christian go through extended times of pain and suffering like this?

In times like these, we need a perspective as well as assurance. Knowing that, from the beginning, God created us for a purpose helps us remember who we are, in spite of what we are going through or how we feel now. In the grand plan of things, God did not just choose us to become Christians and that will be it. He also made provision for how we will achieve this goal. We can only reach the goal through a continued process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit and a steadfast belief in the truth. The Holy Spirit separates us to God and obedience to His will and grants us the help and power to live holy.

God does not leave us with simply an ideal goal. He himself makes it possible for us to achieve that goal. God provides the resources we need for standing firm. At times, everyone faces tense circumstances. The past could hold unpleasant memories. The present may seem out of control. Moreover, the future may be uncertain. Nevertheless, we are not at the mercy of such circumstances and the accompanying emotions. God is our source of comfort, encouragement and strength.