We are privileged

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In Colossians 3:12 Paul reminds Christians of our privileged position as members of the Body of Christ.

3 REMINDERS OF YOUR PRIVILEGED POSITION IN CHRIST

1. SELECTION

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…

The first way Paul describes the Colossian’s position is as God’s chosen or elect ones.

Who chose?
God did. 1 Thess. 1: 4 For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you.

Was our free will involved?
Rom 9:16 [in the context of God’s election] So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.

Who is chosen?
1 Pet 2: 9 But you [Christians] are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

When did the choice happen?
Eph 1: 3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, … even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world.

On what basis were we chosen?
2 Tim 1: 8-9 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.

Election means God chose the people he would save before the world began. Yes, I have to choose him, but he will ensure that I do. Yes, I have to believe to be saved, but he will give me the gift of that faith. Yes, I have to repent, but he will grant me that repentance.

But we have not been chosen as the winner of an Oscar—in recognition of our work done—we have been chosen as an employee: in order to do work.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Are you that useless Christian, chosen for good works, but too concerned about building your own empire, and feeding your own comforts, to be of any use to anyone? Or are you doing the works God prepared for you when he chose you?

2. SEPARATION

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Holy means kept for special use.

2 Timothy 2:20–21 Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honourable use, some for dishonourable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

God didn’t set you apart so that you can behave like a pagan, of no use for his special purposes. He set you apart to do his work, like evangelizing the lost.

Do you blend into the world, or are you use to the Master?

3. STANDING

Colossians 3:12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

God loves you. Can you grasp that?

You are his beloved.

Love is a powerful motivator. It is what motivated God to save you, and it is what motivates you to obey him.

If I ask you ‘Why not steal, why not swear, why not get drunk?’

The only right answer is ‘because I love God.’

God loves you, and because you are His beloved, that should make you want to obey him. Does it?

Does it mean anything to you that Jesus hung on a cross dying of blood loss, for you?

Yes, you!

You need to apply this truth to you. Not only does God love the world in general, he loves you. 

CONCLUSION:

Perhaps you don’t love God. Perhaps you’ve been obeying him all your life out of fear, or to fit in, or to please your parents, or because you think it’s the right thing to do, but without a mite of love in your heart for him. You are a pretender. A hypocrite.

Or maybe you have not even been pretending. Maybe you have been living a life of sin, and you think that God’s love extends to people around you, but not to you, you have been too sinful, you are too far gone.

You need to come to grips with something: God loves you. As long as there is breath in you, there is time to repent.

Yes, he hates your sin, yes, he will punish you if you don’t turn to him. But if your view of God is that he is an angry tyrant, you don’t know your Bible. Out of love, God the Father sent his Son so that you can live forever, totally forgiven.

If you are a believer you need to obey God because of your selection, your separation, and your standing with him. God chose you, to make you holy, because he loves you.

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