"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:11-12 (NLT)
It would be so easy to just fade into the background and blend into the tapestry of this world, just riding the current...
... but that's not who we are, what we do, or how we serve and obey the God who created us and called us out of the world - selected us as His own holy people.
"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT)
We were part of the world once and were heirs to its destiny. We were dispersed into the mass of humanity with no real identity and no future hope or expectation beyond the daily hand to mouth cares and the lusts that the world promoted. All the while we were living under the wrath of the God of Heaven, perhaps even ignorantly blissful - unaware of the looming penalty waiting for us. But then, by pure grace we were called out, given a true hope and expectation... and designated as royalty.
“Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” 1 Peter 2:10 (NLT)
Should we live as before? - Unencumbered by any of the expectations of the benefactor of such grace and remain untransformed by the process of sanctification while enjoying the gift of His generosity? What ungrateful and repugnant images we might pose before the very face of the Holy God who offers us such mercy and grace if we did...
"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.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)
The world and all of its foulness is on a definite path of destruction. If in the end, we still blend into its tapestry and still look just like it, how would we convince our God that we're any different or that we've fulfilled His expectation of us? On the other hand, if we've surrendered ourselves completely to His transformation of us through the renewing of our minds and given ourselves to serving His expectations of His children, there'll be no question to whom we belong - we'll be clothed both in and by Christ. We may still be different in some aspects, but the same in Father God's eyes - beautiful!... and ready to reign with Him as kings wearing the uniform of Christ.
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 (NLT)
"No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NLT)
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