Wednesday, August 15, 2007

What is our part in God’s plan?

What is my part in God’s plan? Every believer eventually asks this question. The answer is found in who God says you are! Consider the remarkable grace of God. He has rescued us from a life controlled by sin and has given us a new life. It was when we were most consumed by sin and selfishness that He called us and made a way for us by the cross. Out of this extravagant expression of love each of us has been destined to produce fruit for the Kingdom of God.

When exploring who God has made us to be we need to understand the idea of being chosen people. Peter wrote to encourage believers who were scattered by the persecutions of Nero about 65 A.D.

1 Peter 2:9-11
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

The word chosen comes from the Greek word, ‘eklektos’. It suggests the idea of a select or favorite people, from a single family or common stock. God has placed value in each of us individually and makes us part of a family intent on serving Him. The idea of being a holy nation is a powerful idea. Christ has made us a part of something greater than ourselves. As Americans we identify with our country and what it stands for. The nations marvel at our sentiment and patriotism. Yet, in an even greater way we are to identify with Christ, His Kingdom, and His Church.

Peter states we are a royal priesthood. John in Revelation echoes the truth, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God”. We have been consecrated to minister to God and to stand as a mediator or an ambassador to a ruined and exhausted world. Intercession, sharing the good news, and caring for people are roles all saints are to be involved in. The church is to be a ‘House of prayer’, to make intercession for all men.

We come to understand our part in God’s plan when we take on His passion and His mission. That mission is that Jesus Christ should be made known to all men and that they would willingly submit their life to him. You and I are called “that you may declare the praises of him.” It is in the doing that we get understanding. God’s plan for our life becomes obvious as we engage in the battle.

It is God’s will that none would be lost to sin and the devil. He empowers us to be all He has called us to be. God wants to build the church, to bring men from every tongue and tribe into Christ’s body. Be confident that if we embrace Christ’s mission we will find our part in the Kingdom. Serve God, serve others and you won’t miss the mark.

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