May 23, 2013 Chosen-Accountable

Read Amos 3 Chosen-Accountable Amos 3:2 “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your sins.” WHEN you choose someone to represent you or your family, you certainly want them to do well, don’t you? Perhaps that’s one reason we sit and squirm or stand and shout when our kids are participating in some form of competition: You’re my child. Make me and the family look good. That’s a bit self-centered, isn’t it? Maybe as humans it is self-centered, but it’s not with God. He made mankind in His own image. That means you carry the image of God as you live. You reflect your creator. Do you think that God, your creator, wants you to bear an image of evil as He is holy? Sin corrupted God’s image in mankind. Then God chose the Hebrews formed the people through whom all other nations of the world could bear his image again. Israel didn't have to do anything to be chosen; God had given them this special privilege because he wanted to, not because they deserved special treatment. Pridefully, though, in their privileged position, God’s people rejected their benevolent creator. They felt they deserved special treatment. They became the spoiled child who rejects instruction and discipline. As a parent must take extreme measures to restore a prideful child, God would take extreme measures to restore his people to bear his image. He took steps in ancient Judah to keep people under his discipline that they would be saved. Do you feel the privilege of being chosen as God’s own? I pray you live in His discipline as Jesus’ disciple to bear His image, glorifying your God. It’s True! Saved in Jesus, you are chosen. Bear the gift well.