Appointed Ones, Who No Longer Live for Themselves

“But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9

Whoever knows how it feels to be picked last for something like for a game of kickball knows how embarrassing or painful it can be. However, that does not happen to people when God picks them to be part of His team. He picked certain people before He created the world for a certain task (Ephesians 1:4-6). Some tasks can include being a pastor, a writer, or a lead singer in a Christian band (1 Peter 4:10-11). Whatever it may be, we are no longer living for ourselves. When God opens our minds and hearts to the truth of His ways, we become His people to serve Him (Ezekiel 36:27).

We are blessed to be chosen by God since before He chose us, we were living in darkness. We were living in Satan’s rule, sin and evil. The darkness that used to control us is gone and now we are controlled by the Holy Spirit. We are given a new way of living by God. He does it by changing our ways of thinking. He also changes our old stubborn hearts and gives us new obedient hearts that will obey Him (Ezekiel 36:26). God had to do this because we cannot do it ourselves since we are sinful people (Romans 3:9-12, Romans 3:23)

When we become God’s people, it will not be easy. We have to give up the desires of our hearts to follow God because our desires can get in the way of serving Him. Any earthly things can cause us to abandon our faith. This can be dangerous because if someone loves the things of this world more than God, then the love of the Father is not in them (1 John 2:15). If you are a Christian who struggles with this, you should pray to God for help. Please remember that you are a chosen person, a royal part of God’s family and there is nothing that can truly satisfy you like your heavenly Father can.

Prayer of the day:

Dear heavenly Father,

Thank you for picking us to serve You. Serving You is a gift since You took us out of darkness of sin into Your wonderful light. Being in the light is better since we are able to serve You, our God. Please give us the chance to do it. It is worth serving You because nothing else can satisfy us like You. All honor and glory belong to You. You’re the one who changes a person’s life. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!