At the moment of salvation, every believer in Jesus Christ receives 40 things from God. Of the 40 things, 39 of them are permanent and can never be removed from the believer - even by God himself! The only temporary thing is the Filling of the Holy Spirit which we lose due to our own free will to act against God. We can repeatedly gain the Filling of the Spirit following confession of our known sins to the Father.
26. We are a Gift to Christ
We are given to Jesus Christ as a gift from God the Father. As with all things that God does, it is permanent and can never be given back. John 17:5; John 17:11-12; John 17:20; John 10:29
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:5)
I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. (John 17:11-12)
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (John 17:20)
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:29)
We become partakers of a royal and holy priesthood. As Christian priests (every one of us), we represent ourselves to god through confession of sin, the daily intake of the Scriptures, daily prayer, praise and giving, etc. 1 Peter 2:5; 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
And has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father--to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 1:6)
28. We are a Chosen Generation
We are a chosen generation and a peculiar (unique) people. The word "generation" from the original Greek use in the New Testament is GENEA. Although sometimes it refers to a literal generation (about 40 years), here it refers to a new spiritual species, stock, or kind.
The word "chosen" means chosen for privilege and opportunity. All Christians have equal privilege of the universal, royal and holy (set apart) priesthood for their spiritual growth under the study of God’s Word. Equal privilege is further seen in the Christian fulfilling his ambassadorship for Christ, as a result of spiritual growth under his priesthood.
Also, we all possess equal opportunity for daily spiritual advance because God provides daily for all of our needs. He keeps us alive in the Devil’s world and gives us the time necessary to grow up spiritually to become a mature believer. This results in blessing from God’s "grace-giving" which honors our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:9; Titus 2:14
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14)
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