The 1828 Webster Dictionary defines 'uncommon' as not common, not usual and rare. In 1 Peter 2:9 KJV, the Bible tells us that we're a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we may show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.
From the Concordance, we can define some characteristics that make believers unusual. As a chosen generation, we're the aggregate of many individuals of the same nature and kind who have been picked out by God. We are God's choice, as His offspring and family. Jesus chose us. We didn't choose Him (John 15:16)
As a royal priesthood, we are both kings and priests to our God (Revelation 5:10 NKJV) We are in the order of priests and hold the office of priests (1 Peter 2:5 NLT) We are a peculiar nation, whose souls have been preserved and we're now partakers of eternal salvation. We are God's possession and His own property.
The Bible has plenty of evidence of the many ways that we as believers are uncommon:
We're the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14b)- The Greek word for salvation sōtēria covers the fullness of this word-deliverance from the molestation of enemies, our soul's safety is based on the Messianic salvation, salvation as the present possession of all true Christians and future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
We're in the world but are not of the world- In John 17:14-16, emphasis on verse 16, Jesus said that we're not of the world, even as He isn't of it (NIV) In the NLT, Jesus wasn't asking His Father to take us out of the world, but to keep us safe from the evil one (v15) because we don't belong to this world any more than He does (v16)
We've been grafted into the lineage of Abraham- From Galatians 3, we under-stand that those who have faith are children of Abraham (v7) Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham that 'all nations will be blessed through you' (v8) Those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith (v9). This has made us members of God's household (Ephesians 2:19-22)
All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 KJV)
The Holy Spirit is our seal of belonging to God- It is God Himself who has anointed us. He knows we are His since He has also stamped His seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride- a down payment of the blessings to come (2 Cor 1:22 TPT) God has commissioned us, and has identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything He has promised us. (NLT) This is the same promise we see in Ephesians 1:13 and 14, Ephesians 4:30 and 2 Corinthians 5:5.
Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit- Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own (1 Corinthians 6:19 NIV) You do not belong to yourself (1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT)
We are the light of the world as per Matthew 5:-16. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, we are to let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it (John 1:5 NLT)
Friend, we are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household (Ephesians 2:19) Once we had no identity as a people, but now we are God's people. Once we received no mercy; now we have received God's mercy (1 Peter 2:10) The believer's identity is what sets us apart and counts for everything.
It's time to decide about you and have intentional focus.This month's bundle will help you cultivate the discipline and clarity needed to end this year successfully.
コメント