This morning, during my quiet time with God, I felt Him whisper into my heart a phrase that impacted my heart to its core. He said “David, you are chosen”. In an age where people make more choices on a daily basis than any other time in history, this really is a big deal. The fact that God would look down the timeline of history and see me, really is a profound thought. However, as I began to study the series of scriptures that He used to speak to me, I got to see something even more incredible that should not only gave me hope, but challenged me as well.
But you are A CHOSEN race, A royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (1 Peter 2:9)
Just as HE CHOSE US in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, (Ephesians 1:4-5)
For we are HIS WORKMANSHIP, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10)
"You did not choose Me but I CHOSE YOU, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. (John 15:16)
"For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God HAS CHOSEN YOU to be a people for his own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
Therefore, AS GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12)
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
As I took time to pray and ponder each of these scriptures, I began to see something even deeper within these words. We, as Christians, were not just chosen to just sit around and have a nice family, live in a nice house, and drive an expensive car. No, we were chosen for a powerful and heavenly purpose. Look again at each of the above scriptures and take note that each time it says that we are chosen, that there is also a purpose behind it.
...so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him
...that we would be holy and blameless before Him
...created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them
...that you would go and bear lasting fruit
...to be a people for his own possession
...clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience
...for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth
Each one of these scriptures led me to take time to look at and evaluate my heart and my life. It led me to not just understand that I am chosen, but that I also need to make a daily choice to choose Him and His calling and purpose for my life. Am I proclaiming His excellencies to everyone I meet? Am I walking holy and blameless? Am I producing fruit through the works that result from my faith? Have I clothed myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience in every relationship?
I want to challenge you through this blog to not just recognize that YOU ARE CHOSEN, but to also do your own self evaluation and to allow the Holy Spirit to show you your own heart and the moments where you not only hit the mark, but missed the mark as well.
“If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]” Galatians 5:25 AMP