Romans 8:33

NASB	NLT	VOICE
33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;	33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one – for God himself has given us right standing with himself.	33 Can anyone be so bold as to level a charge against God’s chosen? Especially since God’s “not guilty” verdict is already declared.

What Does It Mean to Be God’s Elect

God’s elect is a term that refers to those that are chosen by God for salvation. In the Old Testament, it referred to the country of Israel. In the New Testament, it extends to all believers. The cultural context of a legal setting is shown here, showing that all believers are acquitted of all the sin charges due to our faith in Christ. Justification or being in “right standing” with God refers to an act of God declaring a sinner righteous through our faith. Historically, it’s traced back to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where the atonement was made through the blood shed of the animal. In the New Testament, the blood of Jesus becomes the ultimate sacrifice. We recognize the power of God in salvation, showing that it’s only through God that we receive justification. It’s a reminder to us that our standing, our relationship, with God is secure. It’s not based on our own righteousness, but the righteousness of Christ that we were given.

Our Justification as God’s Chosen People

Justification is a clear declaration by God, where He states sinners are now righteous based on the righteousness of Christ. Does this mean that we can just sit around and do nothing? No. While Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to have a right standing with God and an eternal relationship that can never be lost, we are still called to do the work of God. To work towards bringing the Kingdom of Heaven ideals down to earth. To care for God’s creation as He cares for us. To protect the marginalized from the evils of the world. Overall, we are called to be His hands and feet to the world. In doing this, we often have to face our past and current sins. The weight of these can get inside our heads and distance us away from what God’s path is for us. When we sin, we repent. Our overall relationship with God is secure through the sacrifice of His son, but we need to continue to work to be Christ-like. The repentance brings upon us humility and gratitude that we cannot lose our standing with God and can do His will for us down here on His earth. 

Colossians 3:12

NASB	NLT	VOICE
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.	12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.	12 Since you are all set apart by God made and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a holy way of life: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Virtues as God’s Chosen

As I mentioned earlier, God’s chosen people were extended to all believers in Christ. Believers are set apart and deeply loved by God. God’s holiness reflects His nature and asks of us to live distinctly from worldly values. To be beloved to God is a signature of our covenantal love with Him. As God’s elect, we are called to transform ourselves through the Holy Spirit. We are called to envelope ourselves in the traits listed here. Having hearts of compassion involves being deeply empathetic and concerned for others. Being kind involves a readiness to do good. Being humble is key to being united with Christ and other Christians and a readiness to serve others.Being gentle helps with maintaining peace and resolving conflicts. Being patient involves enduring difficult circumstances with a calm spirit. 

Seeing Those Virtues IRL

Being God’s chosen, we are called to live out our identity in Christ. This is done through living out the virtues Paul lists here. Having a heart of compassion allows us to hear the concerns that others have and the struggles that they are going through. It allows us to hear where they need help, if they need our help. Sometimes we may want to help, but they don’t need it at that moment. That compassionate spirit is exercised when we allow their emotions to lead our conversation. The readiness to do what is good is something that we need more in this world. Some people avoid doing what is good because it’s uncomfortable or is looked down upon based on our world’s standards. What is defined as good comes from understanding what is good to God, and we must always be ready to do what God calls us to do. The humility involved is doing what God calls us to do without stroking our own ego. When we do what God calls us to do for our own good, that’s where pride comes from. When we do what God calls us to do for God’s goodness, that’s where humility comes in. It’s showing that we’re willing to set aside our own perspectives to do what God wants. When we are going to do what God calls, we need to be gentle. God’s way will often seem counter-cultural. Others may call what we do weird, unnecessary, hypocritical, and more – but we must be peaceful to all people that interact with us. When we discuss our disagreements with each other, that same calm spirit will be present to allow us to meet in the middle of our conversation and will respect each other with love. All of this will involve patience, a calmness that allows us to muster through difficult circumstances and people. 

Above all, remember this: I am his elect, full of mercy, kindness, humility, and longsuffering.

Reflection Questions

1. What does it mean to be justified as God’s chosen?
2. Out of the virtues Paul lists in Colossians 3:12, which one is your strongest? Which one is your weakest? 
3. How do you feel that your eternal relationship with God is secure? 

Call to Action

Read Galatians 5:22-23. Thank God for all those fruits that are present in our relationship with Him. Ask Him which ones are our weakest fruits. Seek ways on how we can strengthen those fruits. 

Check out the next part: Who Am I Again? #15