Living into Our Identity in Christ: Chosen of God, Holly and Beloved

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Col 3:12

This verse offers a powerful reminder of our identity as God's chosen people, dearly loved and set apart for His purposes. As believers, we’re not merely random individuals navigating life's journey; God Himself chooses us. This designation sets us apart as holy and dearly loved, imbuing our lives with purpose and significance and understanding our identity as God's chosen empowers us to live in alignment with His will and character. Clothing ourselves with compassion is the first directive. Just as garments provide warmth and protection, compassion envelops us, enabling us to empathize with others and extend mercy and grace. Kindness follows suit, adorning us with acts of generosity and goodwill towards others. It reflects the tender heart of our Heavenly Father, who showers His blessings upon all. His strength within enables us to embody these virtues, marking us as His set-apart people bound together in love.

As we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, we bear witness to the transformative power of God's love at work within us. Our interactions are marked by love and forgiveness, mirroring the grace extended to us by God through Christ. Positioned in Christ, we're called to embrace holiness and love, reflecting His character. As His chosen ones, we're summoned to embody these spiritual virtues. It's an extraordinary privilege to grasp our status as God's chosen ones, with our renewed nature being transformed daily in the likeness of our Creator. In this new reality, distinctions like ethnicity, social status, or cultural background dissolve as Christ becomes the unifying essence within us all. What an honor. He  has personally hand-picked you to play a critical role in the most momentous undertaking in the universe's history.

In our faith journey, we unearth precious truths about our identity in Christ and our intimate bond with our Heavenly Father. Through spiritual rebirth, we share in Christ's death and emerge into a new existence infused with His life. Our former sinful nature was severed at the Cross, and our renewed life resides securely with Christ in God, bringing Him honor and praise. As we await our ultimate glorification in Christ, we're reminded that we're all together in Him, liberated from sin's grip and the weight of the law. Each of us possesses unique gifts and callings, yet our focus remains on Jesus, the Originator and Perfecter of our faith. We're not left to navigate this journey alone. God, in His grace, is at work within us, empowering our desires and actions according to His purpose. Through the process of sanctification initiated by Jesus, God molds us into vessels of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.

As we choose to clothe ourselves with love, unity among God's people blossoms, and the peace of Christ reigns in our hearts. This transformation isn't self-generated but underscores God's design for us. Therefore, we must anchor ourselves in truth as God's chosen ones united in love. This truth, rooted in God's unfailing love and grace, sustains us, guides us, and empowers us to live out His purposes in the world. Each attribute reflects the character of Christ Himself, who perfectly embodies these qualities. As His chosen people, we're called to mirror His likeness in our daily lives, becoming vessels of His love and grace to a world in need. Embracing our identity as God's chosen entails more than mere acknowledgment; it necessitates a transformation of heart and mind. May this verse serve as a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace our identity as God's chosen and to walk in the fullness of His grace, adorned with the garments of His character.