Peter called the Christians “Elect Exiles” – or chosen
strangers. Think about this: God chose you to be included in His plan for
redemption and reconciliation! In the
midst of tragic events, overwhelming circumstances and betrayal, God offers His
peace and unconditional love to you.
We are also strangers, or temporary residents, living displaced
in a society that is foreign to us. Our
thoughts should often turn toward our heavenly home, we should adopt the culture
and practices of heaven and understand we have heavenly rights and heavenly protection
accessible now.
There are three actions that come together that will cause
grace and peace to increase in your life.
1. The foreknowledge of
God the Father
His current knowledge is complete in eternity past, present
and future – knowing every decision and result possible and every decision and
result made by everyone for all time. While
foreknowledge is complete, it is not causative (God’s foreknowledge does not dictate
my steps or decisions).
What difference does that make to you? He already knows what
you have faced, are facing and will face.
His grace and peace will increase in measure as you trust Him through
your circumstances.
If the circumstances of your past are burdens today, Psalm
55:22.
If the circumstances of today weigh you down, Matthew
11:28-30
If the uncertainty of tomorrow brings
you worry, Matthew 6:33-34
2. The sanctification
of God the Spirit.
Sanctification is a process toward holiness. According to Hebrews 10:10, a genuine Christian’s
sanctification is complete in God’s eyes positionally.
But practically speaking, you and I still sin. We cannot experience God’s peace in increasing
measure if we continue living according to the ways of this world in increasing
measure. As our hearts become more aligned
to God’s heart, we will experience more of His peace.
3. Obedience to God the
Son and the realization of His covering.
Colossians 3:3 says Christians are hidden with
Christ in God. That means the perfect
obedience of Jesus toward God is applied to us, just as if it described our
obedience to Him (positionally).
But practically speaking, we still live in disobedience.
By our submission to the work of the Holy Spirit through
Scripture, we live in obedience. In the
absence of our submission, we will not be transformed into His likeness or
portray new life in Christ; further, we will not experience God’s grace and
peace in increasing measure.
As we continue a life of obedience in increasing measure, we
will encounter the Lord’s grace and peace in increasing measure.
The sprinkling
of His blood references the sacrifice made on your behalf by God Himself.
It is something you are experiencing today or it is something
you are missing today.
Knowing you are a chosen people, planned for, paid for and
reconciled to God through Jesus by the Holy Spirit – you will experience His
grace and peace in increasing measure.
If you are not experiencing God’s grace today because you
have not relinquished control of your life to Him, turned your back on your
ways and surrendered to His – His offer still stands. Will you turn to Him today?
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