How can we apply the concept of chosen believers in our church community? Setting the context “The church in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, as does my son Mark.” (1 Peter 5:13) Peter writes from “Babylon” (likely Rome), and he chooses one key adjective for the congregations: “chosen.” The word signals God’s sovereign initiative, binding scattered believers into one family. Knowing who we are: the chosen • Ephesians 1:4 – “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world…” • 1 Peter 2:9 – “You are a chosen race…” • John 15:16 – “You did not choose Me, but I chose you…” • Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as the elect of God…” Taken literally, “chosen” assures us that God’s call is deliberate and personal, yet corporate. The whole church stands together under that gracious election. Applying the truth in our congregation 1. Celebrate shared identity • Remind one another regularly—through testimonies, songs, and teaching—that every believer is hand-picked by God. • Replace man-centered talk (“our programs, our success”) with God-centered praise (“Look what God has done in choosing us”). 2. Guard humble unity • Romans 8:33 teaches, “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect?” If God justifies each one, we refuse to accuse or belittle fellow members. • Practical step: address gossip quickly, remembering we are criticizing someone God has specifically chosen. 3. Extend intentional welcome • Peter’s greeting shows that chosen believers naturally greet chosen believers. • Greet newcomers by name, learn their stories, and communicate, “God has brought you here on purpose.” • Create small-group environments where everyone’s voice is heard—the chosen status erases spectator Christianity. 4. Serve with elected zeal • John 15:16 links being chosen with bearing “fruit that will remain.” • Encourage each member to discover and exercise spiritual gifts; no one is an accident, so no gift is optional. • Rotate visible and hidden roles (teaching, cleaning, visiting shut-ins) so that election produces action, not entitlement. 5. Clothe ourselves in chosen character • Colossians 3:12 lists compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. • Build accountability pairs or triads that ask weekly: “How did being one of God’s elect shape your attitude at home and work this week?” 6. Persevere together under trial • 1 Peter’s audience faced persecution; their chosen status fortified them. • When members suffer, read 2 Thessalonians 2:13 aloud: “God has chosen you from the beginning to be saved…” • Offer practical aid—meals, transportation, financial help—anchored in the truth that we stand or fall together. 7. Send greetings beyond our walls • Like Peter’s closing line, cultivate connections with missionaries, church planters, believers in hard places. • Write letters, video-chat, and pray corporately for them, affirming, “You are chosen together with us.” Living today in the certainty of election Because God has chosen us: • We rest—security is settled. • We rise—service is expected. • We reach—welcome is extended. Let every gathering echo the apostolic greeting: “We, the chosen, greet you, the chosen,” until the whole church reflects the glory of the God who first chose us. |
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