Chosen to obey …
Sometimes I am overwhelmed by how rich I am in Jesus Christ. As I set out to read 1 Peter this morning it wasn’t long before I was stopped in my tracks, verse two as a matter of fact.
Here is the phrase that struck me: “chosen … to obey Jesus Christ.”
- (1 Peter 1:1-2 NASB) Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen [2] according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.
Not the onerous life of rote obedience to religious rules and arbitrary direction from an impersonal deity, but a calling, the special privilege of one of those who has been chosen for obedience to Christ during my stay on this Earth. What an amazing stewardship we Christians have been trusted with.
What’s the big deal? I already knew this stuff. The big deal is the Spirit of God. He met me as I sat at my desk and flashed the greatness and care of God before my eyes.
I am chosen to obey. I am indeed special. (No snickers and smirks allowed.)
I am rich in Jesus Christ.
Want some more “amazing” information about how special I am? The choosing happened before the foundation of this world. That’s a long time ago. Here is what Paul says.
- (Ephesians 1:3–5 NASB95) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will.
I hope this morning that you can be amazed with me before the greatness of our God, and that together we can bow low before our Wondrous God and King, Jesus Christ.
Chosen to obey, to stand firm in his Name, to bow low in his presence.
Amen!
