TDR: 24 June (1 Peter 2:9)

‘You are a chosen people’ (1 Peter 2:9)

Christianity does not originate by chance, but in the purposes of God; it does not flow from the nature of humanity, but from the unalterable decree of the Most High. Every believer is a chosen vessel. The Church had its origin in Jehovah’s eternal election.

Election flows from love; it is the exercise of sovereignty; it secures our salvation and God’s glory. It injures no one, but pours incalculable blessings upon thousands. It was the act of God before time. He chose us in Christ as our head; it was of pure grace; it was for holiness. We were chosen to be redeemed from death; purified from sin; separated from the world; devoted to God; and raised to a state of oneness with Jehovah.

Being chosen of God, we choose God in return: He chose us to be His people, we choose Him to be our God. He chose us to be beloved Bride of Christ, and we choose Jesus to be our beloved Bridegroom. His election is the cause, our choice is the effect. His choice prevented ours; or else, in the error of our ways, we had chosen death.

Dear friends, if we are the elect of God, we are holy; we are in union with Jesus.

All the elected train
Were chosen in their Head,
To all eternal good,
Before the worlds were made;
Chosen to know the Prince of peace,
And taste the riches of His grace.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘What a mercy have I found the throne of grace, yesterday and today! I know not when I visited it so often. O that I was as powerfully drawn to it by love, as I am driven to it by trouble and fear! I think I feel more like a child as to wisdom, prudence, strength and courage, than I ever did, for I seem to have none.’