Power Filled Positive Thinking-Chapter 8C—
Seven Virtues of Knowing I am Chosen
Does it matter that I or you were chosen before the foundation of the world? Does knowing that change anything inside of me? Does it change how I respond to the world around me? Look at what Paul wrote in: Colossians 3: (NIV) “12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love”
original photograph courtesy of Raymond Giovanni Ramos
Paul knew how difficult this journey could be. He also knew that as followers of Christ, too often, our battle would be within our own heads. We are still journeying along in this world with bodies that have yet to be redeemed. We still must be in constant battle against sin, guilt, frustrations, fears, anxieties, and our own failures here. In Christ, we have hope, joy, love, and peace; yet, even as Christ prayed (see John 17) we are for this moment still journeying in this world. For that reason, we must fight to hold onto the truth of who we are in Christ.
When trials come, when the money runs dry, when we lose our job, when we care for our elderly parents, when conflicts occur inside our home, when we are sick with illness, when our body grows weary, and the list goes on of those things which quickly engulf our minds with all the worries of this world.
Paul knew this. Paul constantly was reminding the earlier Christians of three things.
First, He constantly reminded them of their position held firm in Christ by the power of God’s might. Second, Paul wrote, Philippians 4:“8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Third, “4 Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4). Paul knew that the battle to live this Christian life was lost or won in our own heads and how we respond to all that is around us.
Knowing that I am Chosen by God through no merit of my own; just because he wanted to love me is the truth that transforms who I am. Because of that truth my life should reflect these seven traits.
1. Humility
2. Gentleness
3. Love
4. Forgiveness
5. Compassion
6. Gladness of heart
7. Fearless Faith
What about when someone is critical of me and I don’t respond with humility? What about when I am so irritated with mom that love and forgiveness seems the farthest thing from my mind? What about when illness forces me to look at myself and compassion for another’s pain goes out the window? What about when the future seems uncertain and fear tries to grip my heart? What about when I so want to please God and I don’t know how as sorrow and guilt tear down the walls of joy?
Well, my friends—I can only tell you what I do and what Paul urged us to do. I return to the scripture, I pray, I listen to Christian music and I remind myself of the truth that I am God’s Chosen, Redeemed, Beloved, and Blessed Saint—no one and nothing (not even me) can separate me from the love of God. Romans 8: “35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” My only hope of winning the battle in my head is to focus on who Christ is and who I am in Christ. People who meet me think that I am strong because my face lights up with a joy filled smile even through great trials. The truth is I am very frail; but, I do know where my strength comes from. Psalm 18:” I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” In Christ, my heart overflows with love, hope and joy.
Listen to this beautiful song written by one of the world’s greatest Christian song writer’s of our day Stuart Townend—“How Deep the Father’s Love of Us”
New International Version (NIV)
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©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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