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November 17, 2008 - Remember Who You Are

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,  bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Colossians 3:12,13 (ESV)

As our twin sons entered their teenage years Louise and I began to talk to them more about the importance of developing godly character.  We found a plaque that emphasized the concept of developing a legacy and protecting the family name.

We purchased two of these plaques and placed them in each boy’s room.  Much like Jewish boys would honor a Mezuzah upon leaving their home, Louise and I prayed the boys would regularly read and apply the message on the plaques before leaving their rooms.
 
My friend Dudley Hall recently wrote an article on this subject. He reminds us that the Apostle Paul often spoke about the importance of developing godly character.  When Paul addressed the believers in Colossae he reminded his readers that we are God's chosen, holyand beloved. Paul was certainly aware that our behavior only changes for the good when we are first conscious of our true identity.
 
Israel was chosen. It was not because of the goodness or size of the people, but because God desired to utilize them to demonstrate His glory. He initiated the relationship. They weren't looking for Him. He set His heart on a people with whom He would make a covenant.  He obligated Himself to their wellbeing. They would be His servants on earth to represent Him to the nations and to bring the nations to Him. He chose them.  It was that choice that gave them an identity. They were God's people. He would protect them and provide for them.
 
That distinction is now used for believers in Christ. They are the ones chosen. Jesus has fulfilled Israel's role of priest for the nations. He fully represented God to the nations and took the sins of the nations upon himself. He is the ultimate CHOSEN ONE. Now, he has granted that identity to those who believe in his name. It means they (we) have a unique destiny and secure purpose. Chosen people have a certain behavior that fits their calling. They must remember who they are.
 
Holy! It means different. God is holy. He is unlike any other person or god. It also means to be set-apart.  His people are different. They have promises unlike any other. They have capabilities beyond mere fallen humans. They can display qualities that are unreachable standards for others. Their kind of compassion, humility, and kindness is of a different world. They are operating on the energy that raised Jesus from the dead. They can forgive atrocities that others can barely mention. They are holy because He is holy and He expresses His life through them. They will be frustrated if they try to accommodate the culture of the common. They are fitted and fashioned for great exploits.
 
Beloved. It is a word used to describe those captured by God's unique kind of love. David, the king of Israel, was beloved. Jesus was beloved. John the apostle was beloved. It means there is a level of intimacy available because God has chosen to set his heart on you and me. Being consciously loved by God is beyond explanation. It is what every heart longs for. It is available in Christ. Our only hope of ever experiencing that kind of love is in relating to Jesus. The Father's full love was shown to him, and he has chosen to include us in the relationship.
 
Three simple words can make the difference in living in unspeakable joy: CHOSEN, HOLY, BELOVED. 
Let’s remember who we are.  Too often some folks try to be something they aren’t.  I remember the wise words of an old African American pastor who said, “Be who you is because if you is who you ain’t, you ain’t who you is.” 

Let’s strive to be like Jesus.