According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Eph 1:4

American psychologist, William James once said, “The most fiendish (demonic or wicked) punishment for a person to endure is to be part of a group and not be recognized.” The effect of being alive, yet totally ignored is beyond imagination. In today’s message, rather than dwell on that truly bad deal, let’s believe we are special enough to be chosen by God and part of His wonderful plan.

From a Christian perspective, the Bible says in John 15:16 that Almighty God doesn’t ignore but actually chooses people (you and me). In a way, we are individually and potentially His number one draft picks! In faith, the Father of Creation chooses you and me to be born of His Spirit and to become His child or part of His eternal family. We are free to live for Him (now and forever) and be led by His Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ sets us free (not to do our own thing anymore) but to access His inherent truth that makes us free and to bear fruit that lasts!

Because the God of scripture is love and never fails, we can be confident that He will complete His work in helping us learn and grow in pleasing Him and serving others. Our sin is too expensive for us to pay for ourselves. Remember, when God chose us we were still sinners. Obviously, our value to Him was greater than our sin. Jesus died for you and me personally and shed His blood to pay for our sin; we are saved by His grace and mercy. That, family and friends, is amazing and in the exact opposite direction from where any devil or fiendishness will take us!

Keeping our balance in all this, even though we are chosen and saved by God, we still can fall short and sin. If we confess our sins, however, He is faithful and just to forgive us because He knows our weaknesses and will never give up on us. We are being developed by Him forever!

We may be alone, but in Christ, we are never lonely because our Lord and Savior loves us forever; that’s right, God, the lover of our soul… doesn’t ignore us. He loves us unconditionally and for each of us who dare to believe Him, He is the Real Deal!

John 1:3; Romans 8:1; Phil 1:6; Romans 5:8; 1John 1:9; Jer 31:3