Understanding who we are and accepting who we are is vital
to transitioning from one season of life into another. I Peter 2:9 says,
"We are a chosen race, a
royal priesthood, a holy nation God’s own people. So that we may proclaim the mighty acts of
him who called us out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Those chosen were predestined to obey the
Word of God. What I find interesting in
these verses is that those chosen were predestined or created to obey the Word
of God. So, although we all should obey the Word not everyone is chosen or, in other words, has the willingness of heart that is required to enter the kingdom. Matthew 22:14 says, "Many are invited, but few are chosen". To be chosen by God is not a biased act of God in which He picks one person over the other randomly. He invites all to come into the kingdom. But only those that have hearing ears that respond properly to the Word are dressed and ready to become a part of it. Being chosen is our choice.
Once you are chosen through God's drawing and your decision to yield to it, you become the son or daughter of God. And now, because you are officially His child, kingdom principles and laws apply to you
(I Peter 2:10). This is why certain people can do things and seemingly get away with or succeed in spite of it, while those of us who have been
chosen can’t get away with anything. We
were created with the purpose of being among those that seek the Word,
understand and follow it. When we don’t, we face issues. When we don’t obey
the Word our lives may become traumatic because we are bucking against and are out of alignment with the
foundation of our purpose. The issues give us the discipline needed to bring us back to where we committed to be. Those who are not chosen are gambling with their destinies by hearing the call but rejecting it. For whereas Christ has become life to those chosen, He also becomes a stumbling block to those not chosen (vs.7-8). They will eventually fall. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone who hears God, obeys Him.
Human beings are the only creatures that try to do things
they weren’t created to do. The only
other creatures that may go against their purpose are those that humans train
to do abnormal things. When we buck
against our purpose, the plans that God has for our lives can’t flow. So, we end up praying for change not realizing that the
change we seek can only be found on the path that is paved with obedience to the
Word.
Am I being legalistic? No, Because
God really does want each of us to live a fulfilled and abundantly prosperous life
in every area of our lives without being stressed about whether or not we’ve done
everything exactly right. What I’m
speaking of are the conscience choices we make to have lifestyles or characters
that don’t line up with God’s Word. For
example, though you used to be a trusting and generous person, as a result of some pain experienced in your
life, you now choose to trust no one and always look out for “number 1"-yourself, even if it means that someone else gets hurt. Or, someone hurt
you so badly that you say you’ve forgiven but the bitterness lingers in your
heart so you can’t ever seem to be really happy. Whether you know it or
not, that poor attitude shows and keeps you from getting other blessings in
life you were predestined to have.
Now, yes, we learn wisdom from our experiences that teach us how to better interact with or manage our relationships with others. But what we must avoid is letting those experiences cause us to change the core of who we are. That core is the true character built in each of us by God. If God created you with a character of trust and generosity. Hold onto it but use the wisdom learned from your bitter experiences to help you use that character more effectively for the kingdom and thereby, yourself. If God blessed you with patience and quietness, don't let the way the "world works" intimidate you or cause you to feel like you can't be "successful" (Success is not what many people think it is) because "you are not aggressive enough." Hold onto what God has blessed you with as you transition through various seasons and circumstances of your life. We are living stones being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood (v. 5).
We must hold fast to the character that will help ensure we are walking in peaceful obedience and becoming that holy priesthood. Galatians 5:22-24 lays it out: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
Gentleness and Self Control. If we can
embody and hold onto these seven virtues despite our experience, we will establish a great foundation for being
who God intends for us to be and become.
EBook Copies of Live For Results are available by clicking this link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=YALXDH2D4LQPN
No comments:
Post a Comment