January 26, 2021
The Elect of God
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:12-13 NLT)
Beloved child, the elect of God is pressing forward through life’s challenges. Examine your heart today and check yourself. Are you the elect of God? Everyone has problems and opportunities to use their faith and trust God. They press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God is calling us through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14) The elect of God can’t sit still and be content or satisfied with a mediocre life. They are people who desire to impact others’ lives, build the Kingdom of God, and be passionate about it! NEVER FORGET… God doesn’t choose passionless people to do His work in the world. He doesn’t require that a person earn a university degree to be used by Him. But He does look at a person’s attitude and desire before He lays His hand upon him and calls him to do something historic and monumental. (Rick Renner) They know if you have the knowledge of God it’s important; they continue to press on. They cannot be involved in shady things; they are accountable. (Romans 14:12) They have walked through the fire building and establishing their character, credibility, and integrity. They have been cleansed by the challenges and purging in life and came out smelling and looking a lot like Jesus walking in shoe leather in the earth.
However, there is coming a time that all of creation will be shaken and removed so that only unshakable things will remain. (Hebrews 12:27) There will be a falling away. (2 Thessalonians 2:3) However, it is important to have unity in the body of Christ. Paul said: ‘I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Instead, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. (1 Corinthians 1:10) Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. However, we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Paul teaches you to pattern your life after his and learn from those who follow his example. (1 Timothy 1:16) For I have told you often before, and I repeat it with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their God is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. (Philippians 3:18-19) However, we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. So, we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. (Philippians 3:20) He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control. (Philippians 3:14-21 NLT) So, press toward the prize of the high calling of God, for you have a heavenly reward awaiting you! (Luke 6:22-23)
