God didn't save us so we could be free to do whatever we want, knowing we're forgiven of all sins: past, present and future. Neither did the Father do this so that we could haphazardly wander around this earth, mooning over all we want and don't have (like the rest of this world).
Just as the honor of being assigned as an ambassador of an earthly country should not be taken lightly, so we also, who are in Christ, should not take our high calling as children of the Most High God lightly.
An earthly ambassador is chosen to live in a foreign land to represent their country, while maintaining every attribute and character of their homeland. An ambassador does not lose or forget who he/she is merely because they live in another country for a time, rather, they honorably and proudly represent their country and their people.
A good and wise ambassador never conforms him/herself to their visiting country or their customs, because they know this is not their home, but a temporary assignment. Instead, they proudly adhere to and keep the customs of their country; which they love.
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace [with God], who has made us both one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility...to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."~Ephesians 2:13-14, 22-24
As God's holy and dearly loved children, we have been recreated, the old has gone and the new has come (2 Cor 5:17). We are no longer of this world, but by God's grace have become citizen's of a new country; Heaven, our true and eternal Home (Philippians 3:20-21).
By washing us with the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, God the Father made us something we could never make ourselves—children of the Most High (1 John 3:1). This high calling has also made us ambassadors of Christ Jesus; representatives and heralds in this world for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Therefore, let us walk in the new life we now possess (Romans 6:4) rather than revel in our old debased thinking and wallow in our old, self-absorbed ways.
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy...He [Christ] is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the Word of His power...Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
~1 Peter 2:9-10, Hebrews 13a, Ephesians 5:1-2
I love this exhortation from John MacArthur (Drawing Near), "Biblical holiness (sanctification) is often misunderstood, but it needn't be. When the Holy Spirit delivered you from the domain of darkness and transferred you into the Kingdom of Christ, you became His special possession. That doesn't mean you're sinlessly perfect, but it does mean you're no longer a slave to sin, the Devil and death. That's positional sanctification. Practical sanctification is the decreasing frequency of sin and the increasing frequency of righteousness as you progress in your Christian walk...Sanctification should not be confused with false standards of holiness...attempt[s] to be holy through external means...True holiness begins with a love for Christ Himself. That's what compels you toward greater sanctification...In Him [Christ] you were saved, which is the beginning of sanctification, and in Him you have every resource necessary for progressing in holiness."
Thank God today for His extreme kindness, mercy and love demonstrated to you through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Then resolve to diligently pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the name of the Lord from a pure heart (2 Tim 2:22). And rejoice in your holy calling knowing that without holiness, no one will see God (Heb 12:14).
"His [God's] divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that though them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in this world because of sinful desire."Be mindful, that as a Christian, you're granted the glorious and magnificent gift of living coram Deo (latin for "in the presence of God").
~2 Peter 1:3-4
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