CHOSEN IN CHRIST

It is not by accident that we are Christians. There is
nothing like accidental Christians. Moreover, it is not by our
efforts that we are Christians. No amount of work will merit us
this precious name, Christians. It is the Spirit of God that draws
us into this wonderful union with God as Christians. Hence, to
be Christian is to be called by God, to be chosen by Him. In his
letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul writes: “Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ
with every spiritual blessing in the heavens, as he (God) chose
us in him (Christ), before the foundation of the world…”
(Eph.1:3-4).

God chose us in Christ to follow the Via Christi (the
Way of Christ), not the way of the world. The Way of Christ
leads to eternal happiness while the way of the world leads to
eternal sorrow. It is by following the Way of Christ that we are
enabled to bear fruit, which is the reason because of which we
are chosen in Christ. Jesus makes it clear in the Gospel of John
that “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and
appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain…” (Jn.15:16).
Hence, God who chose us in Christ wants us to bear
fruit.

At this point, question may arise in our hearts as to
what is the fruit we are called to bear as those chosen in Christ?
The answer is found right in the Letter of St. Paul to the
Galatians. As those who have been incorporated into Christ
through Baptism, those who have the Spirit of God, we bear the
fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…” (Gal. 5:22-23). It is in
bearing these fruits that we show the world that we are chosen
in Christ and are proud to be Christians.

Rev. Cletus Orji
Parochial Vicar