Chosen, made holy, and dearly loved

the following text is a reflection from a devotional/ journal about love! Key scripture:

Colossians 3:11-14

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

There is no competition for God's favor. I don't have to compete for superiority in holiness, salvation, chosenness, or love compared to others, nor in following certain rules or laws. The only opponent I continually face is my flesh, and crucifying it daily.

Whether I follow certain rules and avoid sinning or not, it doesn't change the fact that I am chosen, made holy, and deeply loved by God.

This understanding also frees me from the need to compete against others for anything. There's no contest over who's holier or better at avoiding sin or following certain rules. I am chosen, made holy, and deeply loved regardless of anything. That's who I am; that's my identity—chosen, made holy, and deeply loved!

Because of this realization and the gratitude that comes with accepting this identity

compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience naturally flow from within me. Not as an act or because I naturally possess these qualities but as an overflow of gratitude because I am redeemed and given a new identity, one that allows me to choose daily to love and forgive others as I have been loved and forgiven.

I used to see forgiveness and love as duties—things I had to do. Today, I see them as privileges—things I get to do.

closing prayer:

Jesus, Thank you for the sacrifice you made so that I could live through this new identity you have given me. There is nothing I have to do to deserve or win your love, you simply just gift us with love and compassion. I pray that you help me accept and receive this identity you have gifted me, and that through this new identity, I will walk in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Let everything I do draw me closer to you, who you called me to be, and to those that need you most. I pray this in gratitude for who you are and what you did on the cross, Amen.