The times are very turbulent. A lot of uneasiness here in the United States over our economy and our political climate. Even beyond our shores there is a lot of upheaval, religious persecution, dictator atrocities, genocide and innumerable evils that surround about us. We live in a time where concepts are blurred, ideals are muddy, and knowledge is seemingly always sought but never present. This is a world of confusion, of chaos, and of sin. It is in the midst of this darkness that we have been called. Called by our Creator, by our Savior, by our Lord. We are indeed a called people (2Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Peter 2:9).
Now because we live in such a confused world I feel the need to clarify what I mean by claiming we are called. Many in the world today would use this same phrase or same thought to suggest a supernatural and even in some cases a superstitious call. One receives a jolt in some physical or spiritual way that they claim is God calling them. He came to them in a dream or in a field or by some other similar means. Though God has in times past, in the ages of prophets and of messages relayed by angel used means similar to these, the Hebrew writer says He now speaks to us by His Son and by His apostles.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? (Hebrews 2:1-4)
God has in fact called us through the word of His Son. Paul would remind His brethren of this truth; "to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:14. The apostle Peter gives a big picture of this call, "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." 2 Peter 1:9. In the words of Peter we are informed that we are called out of darkness into privilege as God's own special people. He also would remind us that with this beautiful call comes purpose. We are to proclaim the praises of God.
So as we come to be reminded or even come to understand our calling is by the word of God we also need to understand what it means to be a called people. We have a new purpose. We are to be light in this dark world. "“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, " proclaimed Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. This means we are to walk in truth and righteousness. We are not to conform ourselves to the world (Romans 12:2), but rather we are to be as Jesus was in the world. That means we don't give in to compromise in regards to truth or in right living. We don't hang up our Christian clothes on Sunday evening and put on the clothes of the world on Monday morning. As light is to darkness so are we suppose to be to the world.
We need to stand with integrity, honor and responsibility before our beautiful and magnificent Savior. All the while remaining humble, gentle and remembering the sin to which we were once in slaved that we might reach out to others with the beautiful saving power of the gospel. Let us proclaim His praises by our words and by our life.
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