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1 Peter 2:9-10
Message No. 0685 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
I've occasionally seen highlights of the NBA (National Basketball Association) draft on television, and one cannot forget how happy those who are drafted are. They jump up, some shoot their fists out and some put their hands on their faces in disbelief and thanksgiving. Family members who watch by television jump up and scream at home and people in other locations shout and clap.
To be drafted into the NBA and other sports clubs or associations, is a lifetime dream for many young people. Some have practiced daily for 4, 6 or more hours, and for many months or years prior to drafting. The chance to play on the world stage is unparalleled in sports careers. It means the player has attained a high degree of distinction, he or she has worked hard, and it has paid off, the player has arrived and can now dine with the high and mighty. Not only is the fame important, to many, the pay is also important. The lives of the players and their family members my see some turnaround.
Now, while players need to have shown to the sports administrators that they have worked hard and have what it takes to be drafted, there is another drafting that does not require prequalification. It is purely based on mercy, on grace, on love and on the price that was prepaid by someone else. This is the drafting into Faith by our Lord Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 2:9-10, the Bible says:
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Before going to the cross, Jesus did not say that we have to work hard to qualify for the price He was about to pay. All He required was for us to believe and accept Him as Lord and Savior. We all have parts to play to retain and maintain our salvation, but no one has any part to play in getting saved other than believing and accepting. For the Bible says in Romans 10:9-10:
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
When Jesus chose His disciples, he simply said to each, “Follow me.” He chose the raw, the simple, and the unknown. After choosing them, He qualified them for the work they needed to do. It’s the same way Jesus chose us. We did not earn it, we did not work for it, we did not qualify for it. How cool can that be!
But that’s not all. The Bible says we are a royal priesthood. I’ve seen the way people respect and honor royals in this world, but the Bible says we are royals also, higher than the senior royals of this world, because our royalty is not of the world but of the heavenly Kingdom. The Bible also says we are a holy nation, which means we must live our lives worthy of our choosing. Just as the royals of this world maintain and project dignity, we must not only respect ourselves, but we must not bring shame to the Kingdom that we represent. But there’s more, the Bible says we are God’s own special people. When you tell someone that he or she is special, some sense of joy and fulfilment rings a bell in the brain. So, can you see how glorious it is that you are God’s own special person?
I know that sometimes you may not feel special, you may not feel royal and may not feel chosen, all because of the events that have been going on in your life. But nothing can diminish your royalty as long as you are in Christ. For, in Romans chapter 8 verse 35 and 37, the Bible says:
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Challenges will come and go, but God never changes. Only remain focused and avoid any distraction. The Lord who has chosen you remains solidly behind you, so don’t waste the moments. Go out there, feel special, rejoice, you have been drafted to something far greater than the NBA!
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PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
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