How to Live as God’s Chosen People

Prayer – Lord, I’m reminded over and over that You chose me…and I’m not even Jewish. Paul advised the believers at Colossi how God wanted them to live. The same advice goes for me—as well as my family, friends, and neighbors. Thank you for this lesson—I am always thankful! 

Pray for Peace - A Sign posted in Jerusalem.
May we all have the Peace of the Lord
in our hearts...no matter who or where we are.

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. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance for His believers.

 

Are you one of God’s chosen holy ones? Those who accept His free gift of salvation are the chosen ones. Paul makes it pretty clear just how God’s chosen ones are to live. His list sort of parallels the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), which he also wrote.

 

List for God’s Holy People (Colossians 3:12-15)	List of the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
Love	Love
	Joy
Peace	Peace
Patience	Patience
Kindness	Kindness
	Goodness
	Faithfulness
Gentleness	Gentleness
	Self-Control
Tenderhearted Mercy
Humility
Forgiveness
Thankfulness

 

It is interesting just to see what God expects of us from different viewpoints, written by the same man to different groups of people. Paul was directing both groups to seek Christ and for those in Galatia he was pointing out the result of a relationship with Jesus Christ. That result was what we call the Fruit of the Spirit. No matter where someone lives and the external or cultural influences, the answer is a relationship with the Lord. God throughout the Bible stresses the importance of forgiveness and thankfulness.

Forgiveness is the basis of the Christian religion. We must ask God for forgiveness for our sins and likewise we must forgive others who have offended us. Can you do that? It is a choice that is ours alone for our own sins. That opens the door. What is behind Door #1? The gift of salvation. To reject Door #1 and choose Door #2 could be very dangerous. Rejecting salvation—rejecting Jesus—leads to an eternal life without God. God is light—so without Him—life is darkness.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ The LORD is my light and my salvation--so why should I be afraid? The LORD is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? Psalm 27:1

 

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

How’s your health and what is the impact of your food habits? Healthy or is there room for improvement?

Consider these questions…and how many times a day do you really need to eat?

Is it time to start a new way of eating (a new diet plan)? Ask yourself…as I have…

            Am I really hungry—or is it just a craving?

            If this is truly hunger, what do I feel like eating?

            Is there an alternative—something that would be better for me to eat?

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

                                                      All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.                         .

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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