We've seen in Ephesians the great spirituality of God choosing us even before the foundations of the world. Now let's look at what God has done in and for us here.
We know from Paul we have been called and chosen; we have been justified and sanctified; and finally redeemed. Do we have any way to think of these spiritually rare acts of God?
Let's begin with Moses. He was called by God out in the wilderness to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the kingdom of God. He didn't always want to be called but he was. When we think of being chosen we can think of Isaac or Jacob. Jacob was the younger brother, but chosen by God even to the point of having his name changed to Israel. When we think of being justified we can think of David. He said in his prayer of 2 Sam. 7.8 God had acted according to God's own heart and word. When we think of standing before the Lord, we can think of Isaiah 6.1, where Isaiah saw God's train fill the temple.
These are men whose lives reveal the acts of God in being chosen, called, justified and sanctified to stand before the Lord. And now, what about us? We've seen that the spirituality described in Ephesians 1.22 always finds its purpose in the church. In 1 Peter 2.4 the apostle gives us an image we can contemplate. He says--And coming to Him as a living stone...choice and precious in the sight of God...you also as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
What this means is the Word of God has been building a picture of our souls in Christ, from Genesis to the NT. These pictures are for us to contemplate. When we look at a stained-glass pictures in churches, we see the light coming through them to illuminate scenes from the Bible. As clear stones, our souls have a strength yet they are transparent, clear.
That Peter calls us clear stones, living stones means that God's presence is in us, through Christ. Being close to God is having Jesus seen in us. He tells the Samaritan woman that God wishes to be worshiped--neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem, John 4.21. Where her soul is, the Spirit of God is. She might not have been seeking God, but God found her. Can we seek God and find Him?
David was in the wilderness of Judah when he said--I shall earnestly seek Thee...my soul thirsts for Thee... Psalm 119 says those who seek for God are blessed. Isaiah says in Is.55.6 to seek Him. Jesus, in Matt. 6.3, Luke 11.10 said to--Seek ye first the kingdom of God...and he who seeks finds.
Some have gone out into the desert because the emptiness of the desert corresponds to the emptiness of their souls. Some have withdrawn in an attempt to wall off the world. Some have filled their minds with Scripture, some have filled their lives with activity.
But when we seek God, at the center of that seeking is God coming to us. The Pharisees say--Who are You?
God said--This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
Peter said--Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
At the heart of Christian spirituality are two questions: Who do you say that I am? Do you love Me?
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