The following virtues have their root in 'election and forgiveness'. Grounded in love, they are the very attributes of Jesus Christ ... and as His followers, we are to walk in them.
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. Colossians 3:12-14
It is true that we needed to make a personal decision for Christ, but we would never have surrendered our lives had we not been drawn to Him. I understand that it is difficult to comprehend ... His choosing of us is what enabled us to choose Him.
He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love. Ephesians 1:4
If God saved a sinner on the basis of merit, no one would escape judgment. It is based solely upon His 'grace' ... that it might bring glory to Him alone. For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
To 'put on' the attributes of His character is to clothe yourself in those divine traits ... that the world might witness Christ in you. Be so immersed in your Lord that you become like Him in thought, word, and deed.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:29-31
You are God's elect ... walk in that truth.
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