God’s Elite Strike Force!

Jimmy was most probably either headed for prison or a shooting on the street. He was failing in school, hanging out with a crowd of losers, going nowhere. Then, he met a Marine recruiter who took him in tow and sold him on becoming a United States Marine! When I saw Jim after he finished basic training, it was hard to recognize him. He stood erect. He had pride in the corp. He was disciplined. The Marines boasts that they can take a young man without purpose and/or direction and make him into a warrior worthy of the greatest nation on earth. It must be true, for I have witnessed the transformation, more than once!

Becoming one of Christ’s Own, a genuine experience of the Spirit’s renewal will produce a transformation that is even more dramatic! Does joining a church do that? No! Some who just ‘get religion’ find an experience like wearing a suit that is too tight, binding and uncomfortable. They serve with a sense of duty, but with little joy. But, those who are truly ‘in Christ’ are infused with power and purpose. Yes, yes ... of course, pride is incompatible with Christian humility. We cannot sound our own trumpets and strut in the streets. Yet... we need to reconsider our hang-dog attitude about being a Believer, one of the elect (chosen) of God!

Peter exults about the power of God to take 'nothings' and make them into 'somethings.' Read this passage. This is God’s description of those He calls into His "Ekklesia," His, Church, the called out ones!
"Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: who in time past were no people, but now are the people of God: who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." - 1 Peter 2:9-10 NASV

Elect, royal, holy, God's treasure!
If we wear those titles and let them define how we see ourselves, they will ennoble our lives and call us to a higher plane of service. We could slide into the sin of elitism, except that we know it is His work of Grace, not our merit that brings us to this glorious destiny.

Are you living in your God-granted privileges today?
Are you holding up your head and rejoicing that He has called you out of the dark and into His wonderful light?

Zechariah urges us to take our place, to live in His promise, and to know our destiny. The pictures painted in my mind by his words are startling, yet compelling. Take a look....

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey... Then the LORD will appear over them; his arrow will flash like lightning. The Sovereign LORD will sound the trumpet; he will march in the storms of the south, and the LORD Almighty will shield them. They will destroy and overcome with slingstones. They will drink and roar as with wine; they will be full like a bowl used for sprinkling the corners of the altar. The LORD their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be!"
Zechariah 9:9,14-17 NIV

What are the words used to describe the people of God?

• Protected.
  Powerful.
• Celebrating their victories with the abandon of those who areintoxicated!
• Precious as jewels and as beautiful, too!

Friend, IF you are Christ's then you can live that description. Shake off that 'I'm nothing, unworthy; don't look at me' attitude. You're one of the Chosen. God has set His favor on you. Live in it today with thanksgiving, humbled by His grace, and fed by His goodness!
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Do you hear them coming brother,
Thronging up the steeps of light,
Clad in glorious shining garments,
Blood washed garments pure and white?

Do you hear the stirring anthems
Filling all the earth and sky?
'Tis a grand, victorious army,
Lift its banner up on high!

'Tis a glorious church,
Without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb;
'Tis a glorious church,
Without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Wave the banner, shout His praises,
For our victory is nigh!
We shall join our conqu'ring Savior,
We shall reign with Him on high!

A Glorious Church
Hudson, Ralph E. © Public Domain