12 Characteristics of God’s Chosen People
Developing characteristics of God’s chosen people will lead one to a life of service, fulfillment, and joy. These twelve characteristics can help increase one’s desire to be a “light on the hill”.
Service
As I spend time reflecting on the word “service”, I find myself contrasting the camouflage used by the military to the “light on the hill” God has called us to be.
Both military service and the call to be “in the service of God” represent noble forms of service. Yet one form allows us to remain hidden while the other requires that we remain seen.
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Military Service
The sacrifice required to join the military is unfathomable to me. Two of my great-grand-uncles served valiantly in the Civil War. Sadly, both died in battles, never to return home to their families. A painting of them hangs in my home, their story of sacrifice a legacy never to be forgotten.
My grandfather served during WWII, as did all six of my grandmother’s brothers. Thankfully, all seven survived the war and returned to their grateful families.
This type of dedicated military service, with all its unknowns, is something I may never personally experience in this lifetime. I may never know what it’s like to stand in enemy territory, donning camouflage, in a desperate attempt to remain hidden.
Yet, sometimes I hide.
I hide in my safe cocoon in this Land of the Free, a land of liberty, paid for with the blood of countless warriors. I hide, though I have been called by God to serve those around me–to be a “light on a hill”.
Check this out! 30 Freedom Loving Patriotic Activities for the Whole Family
Warriors of Light
God has called each of us to be warriors–not warriors of war and death, but warriors of light.
As followers of Christ, armed with the shield of faith, sword of truth, and helmet of salvation, our battles are fought with Christ-like love, deeply-rooted righteous convictions, and the power of God. (See Ephesians 6:10-18)
We will need this armor as we develop the characteristics of God’s chosen people.
Of the sacred garment worn by temple-attending members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Justin Harlow Barlow said,
“Like uniforms, our temple garments serve as a vital identifier. They are an outward expression that we are on the Lord’s side, committed to following Him and upholding the covenants we have made. The significance of our outward expressions of our inward commitments, specifically focusing on how wearing and honoring the temple garment, helps us keep our focus on the Savior Jesus Christ. As we faithfully wear our garments and honor our covenants, we invite the promises and blessings of God into our lives.
The garment is a symbol of His protection and a reminder of His promise to shield us from the destroyer. Joseph Smith taught that our covenants with God are sacred and protective, offering us spiritual strength and divine support in times of need.”
Becoming Master Servants
In contrast to the power-hungry rulers throughout history, God’s plan for a peaceful and prosperous society calls for His chosen people to lead in love and excel at service.
“Those who are willing to consecrate their total energies and resources to the building up of such a society are called God’s “chosen people”. He calls them “chosen”, not because He would exclude the rest of mankind from the same blessings, but simply because these are they who chose to accept God’s call to service. With the Lord, a call to leadership means a call to service, and therefore his chosen people are really his “master servants”.
Cleon Skousen, The Third Thousand Years
Characteristics of God’s Chosen People
In his classic book, The Third Thousand Years, Clean Skousen lists characteristics of God’s “chosen people”. A careful application of these characteristics in our lives will benefit us and the individuals within our circle of influence:
1
A Spirit of Personal Sacrifice
The story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22: 1-19) is the ultimate example of sacrifice, save only the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. While we may never be asked to sacrifice like Abraham, we can offer our whole hearts. We offer our hearts by dedicating our time and our resources to the building of God’s kingdom on earth. We can choose to yield our will to the will of God. Each choice we make is an opportunity to exercise personal sacrifice.
When we fail, we can try again because of the atoning sacrifice made for each one of us by our Savior, Jesus Christ.
2
Personal Code of Stringent Self-Discipline
Each day, we can strive to improve morally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually through word and action. The wisdom of Benjamin Franklin can benefit us today:
“It was about this time I conceived the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. I wished to live without committing any fault at any time; I would conquer all that either natural inclination, custom, or company might lead me into.”
After unsuccessfully reaching all his goals, Franklin wrote:
“Tho’ I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavour, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
3
Capacity to Perform Unbelievable Quantities of Hard, Humble Work
Joseph, sold by his brothers into Egypt, suffered greatly, but always with deep humility. Whether in prison or as part of Pharoah’s household, Joseph’s hard work and devotion to God led to his becoming governor of the land. Ultimately, many, including his family, were sustained during the famine because of his hard work, humility’s and righteous endeavors. (Genesis 39:1-20)
Likewise, we, too, can strive to be humble and hardworking in all that we do.
4
Willingness to Accept God’s Commandments Without Fear or Reservation
Mary Ferguson, a young woman from Scotland, converted to a Christian faith. She made the arduous trek to America with fellow saints, despite being rejected by family and friends. 1 Of this experience she wrote:
“…all my companions left me and I had my good name cast out as evil, for the gospel’s sake.”
Countless individuals over centuries of time have made similar sacrifices. Their desire was to accept God’s commandments without fear or reservation.
The question is, Will we do the same?
In times as serious as these, we must not permit fear of criticism to keep us from doing our duty, even at the risk of our counsel being tabbed as political, as government becomes more and more entwined in our daily lives.
Elder Ezra Taft Benson, “Watchmen, Warn the Wicked“
5
Capacity to Recognize the Universal Quality of God’s Program for Human welfare
God loves all his children and desires to bless them. Often, it is through us that He meets the needs of others. We are God’s hands. Serving others draws us closer to both God and those around us. We can serve by providing resources such as time, money, food, clothing, and shelter. Being willing to simply offer Christian love, charity, and compassion to a suffering individual can make all the difference.
Many opportunities for service exist. JustServe is a convenient way to locate service opportunities in your area.
6
A Willingness to Engage in Continuous Study of Heavenly Principles
Following are eight specific ways we can engage in heavenly principles:
- Raise a Righteous Family – The Family: A Proclamation to the World can be used as a guide for how to raise a righteous family. Consider the following from the proclamation:
“Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.“
“Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”
Parents are foundational in helping their children develop the characteristics of God’s chosen people.
Five examples:
- Serve Cheerfully – “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Teach, Speak, Travel, Write, or Otherwise Serve in every possible way to promote righteousness in the earth, whether spiritual or secular. Ours is the privilege to build the kingdom of God. Use the spiritual gifts and talents with which God has blessed you do engage in this most important work. Make a list of your gifts and talents, then determine to use them more in the service of God.
- Be Continually Engaged in a Good Cause without having to be “commanded in all things”: Even in our down time we can choose to do things that will be of benefit to our families and society. Consider: What books do you spend time reading? What is the topic of conversation when you hang out with your friends and family? Do your forms of entertainment connect you with others and bring you closer to God?
- Be a Good Provider and Pay a Full Tithe: Work is a principle of heaven. God desires a hard-working people. In return for the money received from work, God commands that we return 10% of our income to Him. Paying a full tithe is an act of faith. God does not need our money. We, on the other hand, can always use more faith.
- Stand Up and Be Counted with the Righteous when the forces of evil sweep the earth. The decisions we make today will determine our ability to face the forces of evil as they sweep the earth. Build your foundation on Jesus Christ by developing the characteristics of God’s people and should “the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee“, you’ll know with confidence “that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.” 1
Time To Reflect
As I take time to reflect on the invitation to develop characteristics of God’s chosen people, I wonder:
What better way to thank those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms than to serve as faithfully and selflessly as did they?
What better way to honor our ancestors who sacrificed so much, and express our gratitude to God for the freedoms we enjoy?
And finally, what better time to be a “light on a hill”?
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:8-9 KJV)
Want more Inspiration? Check out these books from Max Lucado:
- Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World
- You Are Special: Be inspired by a Wemmick named Punchinello
- In the Footsteps of the Savior: Following Jesus Through the Holy Land
- God Never Gives Up on You: What Jacob’s Story Teaches Us About Grace, Mercy, and God’s Relentless Love
Find more inspirational Christian books HERE.
Conclusion
Make no mistake about it, there is no better time than today to develop the characteristics of God’s chosen people.
You and I?
We are meant to be seen; we are meant to shine.
No camouflage required.
Matthew 5:14-16 KJV
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
In what ways are you developing the characteristics of God’s chosen people?
The Pilgram’s Progress
“Next to the Bible, the book that I value most is John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. I believe I have read it through at least a hundred times. It is a volume of which I never seem to tire.”
Charles Spurgeon
