God chose a band of slaves and rescued them from the hands of the most powerful nation on earth to birth a nation that would bring forth the Messiah. He entered into a covenant with them and they were to be his treasured possession. 'Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.'( Exodus 19:5-6) But the nation of Israel failed to live up to the promises and has chosen a people from the Gentiles to cause Israel to envy. 'I will make you envious by those who are not a nation... I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.'(Romans 10:19-20) Not that we choose him but he has chosen us to represent him on earth.
'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.' (1 Peter 2:9) Not that we make ourselves holy but he is the one who does it. 'Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God .. who makes (sanctifies) you holy.'( Leviticus 20:7) But we do have our part to do and that is to set ourselves apart to be holy. 'Since we have these promises, dear friends, let's purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.'( 2 Corinthians 7:1) Amen.
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