Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love-the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts.  Be thankful.     Colossians 3:12-15 HCSB

My dad was a farm boy from Southeast Louisiana with a 6th grade education. He had quit school in the 6th grade because his parents needed his help on their farm. During World War II the U. S. Army drafted him and sent him overseas to Germany. My dad was chosen by the army, he had no choice in the matter.

With God’s army, the draft is a bit different. We are all chosen to be in God’s army. We are all chosen to be loved by God, but God gives us free will. We can choose to reject God’s salvation, love and protection. We can choose to reject spending eternity with Him in heaven and opt for eternity apart from Him in hell. It’s our choice.

We must understand, however, that we are all chosen. When we choose to serve in God’s army, we must put on the uniform worn by God’s soldiers. This uniform is heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, acceptance of one another and the willingness to forgive those who have offended us. Just as a police or military uniform identifies the officer or soldier and their department or branch of service, the uniform we wear in God’s army shows others that we are dedicated to the Lord. It shows that we choose to serve Him above serving ourselves and being prideful, arrogant, unkind, and unforgiving.

We are also equipped with armor as we serve in God’s army. Paul listed this armor in Ephesians 6:10-18. We must put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, shoes that help us stand strong and firm in the gospel of peace. We must carry the shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the enemy. The sword of the Spirit, or God’s word, is our only offensive weapon issued. We must practice with it so we can swing it when necessary. We must study our Bibles and stand ready to defend God’s word. Prayer is one of our most fierce weapons of warfare and should be used continually. As Christians in God’s army, we do our best fighting on our knees.

God has chosen you; the question is will you answer the call? Will you forsake the things of this world that are passing away in order to devote yourself to eternity with God the Father?

When we serve in God’s army, we must not be distracted by the things of this world. We are told in 2 Timothy 2:4 that no soldier entangles himself with the affairs of civilian life because he aims to please the recruiter or the one who has chosen him.

Being chosen by God is an honor and a privilege, but it’s also a choice. You can reject Him. You can choose not to serve Him. He gives us free will.

I encourage you, however, to keep in mind all the benefits that come with serving in God’s army. You never fight alone, there’s that perfect bond of unity. You are always protected, victory is certain, and the retirement package is out of this world. You have the peace of the Messiah to control your heart. So, why wouldn’t you want to answer the call of God’s chosen?

Have a great day!