Children of God should never operate anywhere else but from abiding in the vine as branches. None of us should bear fruit unless we abide in Jesus. He’s the only strong foundation we need, the only strong foundation you might be looking for.

For boomers, abiding in Jesus is the ‘Second Act’; for millennials, a ‘level-up’ and Gen-Z, ‘glow-up’. Why? Because submitting to His will, plans and purposes over our lives gets us right on track after being lost for a long time. Hence, we are now back on the right path, walking towards a path of a purposeful life. And we’re now given the chance to get to our destination and finish strongly because God chose us and sanctified us. 

Sanctification is the process of being handpicked and set apart by God in order for a beautiful transformation to happen. The transformation conforms us into the likeness of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, involving a shift from sin and brokenness toward holiness, encompassing a change of heart, mind, and behavior, ultimately aimed at maturing us for God’s greater good purposes. 

This helps tremendously because not only do God’s children get wiser, but we also become untouchable here on Earth because God’s divinity is now marked on us. Currently, the world needs stable Christians: those who know whose they are,  who they are and what they are to be and do. 

Verse: 

“But ye are a chosen generation… that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness.”

- 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

This verse is a message of affirmation that we are chosen children of God, which then brings constant motivation. Next, we are also called a holy nation and a peculiar people. 

Holiness is being set apart, distinct from the ways of the world (sin, malice, envy, murder, strife, etc.). Holiness reflects God’s character and righteousness. Though it may seem like it, holiness doesn’t call us to be perfect. Rather, it calls us to obedience. The genuine trial of righting our wrongs and turning the complete way around from sin.  

Children of God are called to stand up and never conform to worldly values and behavior. Note that pursuing holiness will never be accomplished if we don’t do it with the Holy Spirit. 

 Moreover, the peculiar description does not entail that believers are weird or odd rather, we are God’s own special possession. 

ALIGNMENT & ACTION:

Regarding what we are to be, it shall be clear to us being Jesus’ image bearer on earth. 

As mentioned in the verse: “Ye should shew forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvellous light,” meaning our has to reflect the Word of God, for it serves as light in the world of darkness. 

The darkness here represents a life separated from God due to sin that produces confusion and hopelessness. The marvellous light is God’s saving grace through the hope and freedom found in Jesus Christ. 

And when we live in Jesus, we then radiate His love, joy, compassion and peace into the rest of the world through the words we speak that seek to bring life and never death and actions that testify the greatness of having faith in Jesus. Both of which are the most effective in pointing others to God. 

This is crucial because we bear the image of Jesus. Every time we cuss someone out, unbelievers will attribute it to Jesus. Whenever we offend someone, they will attribute it to Jesus. And once we lie and scam an unbeliever, they will, for the longest time, think Jesus isn’t real. 

Hence, we should be aware of the beautiful burden imposed on us. Beautiful because the only one deserving to be imitated is Jesus, and burdensome because we’re mere humans reflecting a perfect God who hasn’t sinned. 

But hey, that’s the beauty of grace. By recognizing our weaknesses and asking God for renewed strength, we become lovely children who build a relationship with God in a way that He wants and not how we want it to be. 

Remember, we’re the children and the branch. We live under God’s shade and are also a branch. 

To be a stable Christian is to remain unshaken in identity and faith, whether we’re in a season of struggle or success, and in the hills or valleys. 

When we fully understand whose we are, who we are, and what we are called to be and do, our lives stop being reactive and start becoming purposeful as we bear the image of Christ in both character and action. This is the kind of faith the world is in need of today. 

The world needs to see and be inspired by steady believers, surrendered, and unwavering. If you are truly set apart, ask yourself If I am truly sanctified, where is the fruit? And if the world never opened a Bible, would my life preach one?