God's own for God's glory

A young man I know was probably destined for prison. He was failing in school, hanging out with a crowd of losers, going nowhere. He made ‘easy money’ by being a courier for drugs from one city to another. One day he met a Marine recruiter and somehow, despite the haze that clouded his vision, saw something to admire. The Marine helped him see a new vision for his life, that he, too, could become a United States Marine! When I saw that young man 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. 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! Jesus commissions us (Christians) to live in such a way that we lift Him up. Our lives become a thing of beauty when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.  And, having attracted notice,  He tells us to ‘go and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.’ (Matthew 28)  Peter exults about the power of God to take 'nothings' and make them into 'somethings.'  Peter defines how God sees those He calls into His "Ekklesia," His Church! "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! Those words give us an identity, call us to a purpose, and ennoble our lives. Is pride possible? Not if we know the whole story which includes the reality that we are who we are only because of His work of Grace. "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8, NLT)  "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)

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

Zechariah urges people called by God to take their place, to live in His promise, and to know their destiny. The pictures painted by his words are jolting yet compelling. "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 are intoxicated! Precious as jewels and as beautiful, too!

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!

Warriors of love, empowered by the Spirit, we defeat the powers of hell and extend the borders of the Kingdom of our Lord and Christ!

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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