Chosen. Holy. Dearly loved.  Who is Paul talking about? Yes, it’s you.

If you belong to Jesus, these aren’t things you’re trying to earn. They describe who you already are because of Christ.

You are chosen. Ephesians 1:4 says God “chose us in him before the creation of the world.”

You are holy. Hebrews 10:10 tells us that we “have been made holy” through the sacrifice of Jesus.

And you are loved. Romans 8:38–39 reminds us that absolutely nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Think about how differently we might treat people if we really believed those three things.

When I know I’m chosen, I don’t have to fight constantly for recognition. When I know I’m holy because of Jesus, I don’t have to prove my worth. And when I know I’m dearly loved, I don’t have to demand that everyone around me fill that need. Secure people are free to be merciful people.

So before Paul tells us what to do, he reminds us who we are. Maybe we should do the same with ourselves each day.

Final Thought: Embrace who you are in Christ, then let that security overflow into how you treat every person you come into contact with.