Elect

Elect

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace be multiplied.” 1 Pet. 1:1-2.

Even in our days there are some elect who are dispersed in towns and around various places. The Lord knows them, and His eyes are over them day and night. The word “elect” was precious to the people in the old covenant, because it contained abundant promises.

This word must also be before us, wherever we are, as if written with flaming letters. We are the spiritual Israel of the new covenant. We also have great promises, but also corresponding responsibilities. We cannot think, speak, and act like other people around us. They live in that which is visible: according to the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and according to their nature, they are children of wrath; but we are the children of promise and have that which is invisible before us.

We have been elected according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for the elect who live in obedience to the faith. In their development and growth in sanctification of the Spirit, they are always sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ when they do deeds of the body (unconscious sin), and grace and peace is multiplied to them on all their ways.

We are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Rom. 8:29. Our entire life’s interest must be to look into the mind and nature of Christ in order to partake of the same life and glory. Even if brothers and sisters round about us lose sight of Him and sink into material things in their spirit, we must not sink in our spirit, but have our eyes fixed on Him. During all kinds of circumstances and among all kinds of people, our inner eye must see clearly that we were chosen before the foundation of the world to be holy and without blame before Him. Eph. 1:4.

Paul was a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to lead God’s elect to faith and the knowledge of the truth, which is according to godliness. Tit. 1:1. The elect have an open ear for the voice of the truth. They rejoice in the truth that is according to godliness during meetings and conversations. They are not interested in any superficial preaching.

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Pet. 2:9. The elect have this task in their lives: to proclaim the virtues of Christ in life and in doctrine, and to let the marvelous light shine for people. However, even if they are rejected by people in this exalted ministry, as their Master was, they are still elect and precious before God.

Songs of praise will never grow quiet in our hearts, and no sacrifice will be too great for us if we have become aware of our election. It is the called, the chosen, and the faithful who, together with the Lamb, will be overcomers in the last days. Rev. 17:14. They are the most valuable people on earth. They have been born by the word of truth to be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Jas. 1:18. They go victoriously through the purifying fire and love God’s fire because of its cleansing and purifying work. They are the ones who will stand on the sea of glass that is mingled with fire, with God’s harps in their hands and with golden crowns on their heads, singing songs of praise to the glory of God and the Lamb while the bowls full of the wrath of God are being poured out on the earth. Rev. 15:1-4; 4:4. Yet even now in our spirit we have come to this blessed sea of glass, where all the waves have been stilled and where we are not cast about by the changing winds of the times. We can stand there with God’s harp in our hand and be filled with thankfulness and praise while the sea of mankind is cast hither and thither in a wild uproar.

Blessed is everyone who is set free in his spirit from this restless sea of mankind and is put on this crystal clear, restful sea where God and the Lamb are on their thrones. Before the throne burn the seven torches which are the seven spirits of God; and those who love God’s searching fire can dwell there and be permeated by these spirits. They are the ones who will be kings and priests for all eternity.