Overflowing: Living Abundantly in a Broken CultureSample

You Are Chosen

Now that you are newly living as one with hope in Christ, or you have been reminded anew, you also have the assurance that regardless of who has rejected you, ignored you, or overlooked you, God of the universe and Creation has chosen you as His very own!

The Father has specifically and intentionally chosen you to serve Him wholeheartedly at this moment in history. As God looked across the canyons of time, wondering who He could use at the first part of the twenty-first century, His eyes landed on you. You have been chosen by the One who knows you best and loves you most.

In the Bible, God’s people are chosen for a specific purpose or destiny. God conceived of a redemptive plan of grace even before the creation of the world, and you are part of it.

He’s Crazy About Us

One of the most exciting aspects of the first 12 words of Colossians 3:12 is that it states clearly what God’s opinion is of us. He is head over heels in love with you and desires you as His very own.

The word for “chosen” Paul uses is the Greek word eklektos, a compound word made of the words ek and lego. Ek means “out,” while lego is translated as “I say.” When these two words are joined, the new word means “Out! I say!” God cares about you so deeply that He called you out of the domain of darkness and wooed you with His love.

The Holy Spirit, in this verse and in many other passages in Scripture, identifies chosen people with two adjectives: holy and beloved. Holiness is not legalism, dressing like a pilgrim, refusing to wear makeup, or walking around like a prune. Holiness is not criticizing teenagers or coming across as grumpy and unbending. Holiness is not refusing to play cards, shunning nonbelievers, or dismissing work on Sundays.

Holy, as used in this verse, is the Greek word agios, meaning “things which on account of some connection to God possess a certain distinction and claim.” My friend, the Holy Spirit wants you to know because of your connection to God, you possess a certain distinction. You are chosen by God, and He considers you very precious to His kingdom.

Allow your one glorious life to be a vivid demonstration of the holiness of God!

DAILY WORDS OF WISDOM:

Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words “in Christ.”

- Watchman Nee