“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9
Twice in the same day I heard these words, “I will call you back tomorrow,” from 2 different people. One was my son. The other was an official in the local government. The clock has done what the clock does… tick tick tick… and 36 hours have passed. Neither one did what they had said they would do. But I am ONLY upset at ONE of them. And no… it is not my son!
Having had 4 kids myself I COMPLETELY appreciate being busy with family. I had called my son while he was in the middle of a busy weekend family event. I understood that “I’ll call you tomorrow,” was simply a way of saying, “I can’t talk now.” The Government Official represents me and was going to call on an important matter that only HE can rectify. He gets paid from the coffers into which I pay taxes, so in essence… he WORKS for me. But this time… he didn’t!
There is a fancy word that God uses to describe all believers in Christ. The word ”ekklesia” is a combination of 2 words that means “called out.” The word ‘chosen’ replaces it in the NIV version of the Bible, but it does not change the meaning. If you are a ‘called out’ member of God’s Family by being ‘Born Again,’ you ARE a part of ‘The Chosen’ or the ‘Called Out’ ones!’ And yes… you may ‘carefully’ puff out your chest at the honor! But the title ”ekklesia” comes with a responsibility.
Through the years the word ”ekklesia” has come to mean ‘assembly’ or ‘church.’ In that confusion, it would be easy to associate oneself with a group of people that happen to meet at a certain address at a certain time. The problem with that definition of CHURCH is, when problems arise within her, sometimes attendees choose, or feel free, to ‘no longer participate!’ A BIG no-no from God!
Being a special possession of God requires reflecting His Light! Being ‘chosen, holy and royal’ demands that we serve HIS interests HIS way,…ALL the time! The New Testament provides LOTS of requirements for members of this elite calling. Expectations of love, service, forgiveness and dedication are just a few. Staying home is never an option, since being a PART of a body requires BEING a part of a body. The title comes with the expectation that EVERYONE who is a part will work to MAKE ‘the body’ WONDERFUL!
Too often ‘Church’ gets a bad rap because the world can never understand the HIGH calling of God. The title alone guarantees that God’s arch-enemy, satan, has painted a target on her back. If YOU are one of ‘The Called,’ you can assume that satan has his sights on you too. The ONLY way to keep from being attacked like a straggling sheep is to stick together. The key word being ‘together!’
If you are sitting home on a Sunday morning instead of going to ‘The Meeting’ of the ‘Called Out’ ones, the Bible, being God’s Word, should have you asking yourself if you really ARE one of ‘The Called!”
There is NO such a thing as a sniper for Jesus! God is calling YOU! And that makes you SPECIAL! Noblesse oblige.
