Chosen, Holy and Loved
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Colossians 3:12-14, NIV
Living in our world today, there are many messages projected onto us. Most of the things we hear, if we are not careful, can attach themselves to us and determine the course of our day. The simplest ad on TV or even a news story can trigger us to question the way we look, how we think about things and even how we feel. If we are not careful, it can lead into the dangerous cycle of comparing, competing and crucifying. Like it or not, we are susceptible and, unless we are aware and engaged in our surroundings, it is hard to filter out the good from the bad.
From my earliest days as a new Christian, I learned how important it was to begin the day on the right foot. Knowing the world I lived in, I wanted to make sure I started my days with Scripture that reminded me of who I was and to whom I belonged. Beginning the day with anything else of this world usually did not end well. I’d get so caught up in what others thought or believed and I would quickly lose sight of whom I really was.
In Paul’s letter, he declares we are chosen, holy and loved. These three signifiers give us an idea of just how God sees us. It is a remarkable image–a picture of the true essence of God. Being chosen, holy and loved, we are marked as belonging to God. Knowing and believing this, we are called to live this out through our attitudes and our actions. In other words, the virtues of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness are byproducts, signs or fruits of being connected to God.
God’s greatest desire is that we know Him. Knowing and believing in His love will inform our attitudes and play out in our actions. The way we live with God, others and self will be the greatest reflection of God’s place in our lives.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Colossians 3:15-17, NIV
