Multiple Identity and A Dynamic Relationship

UV 1206/10,000 A Powerful Identity and A Dynamic Relationship
But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Isaiah 41 v 8

The reference in this uni-verse to Israel is to the spiritual nation – the chosen ones of God who belong to all nations and peoples. Each believer is like Jacob, a person chosen by the Lord. Each of us has a deep, intimate, sacred , personal covenant relationship with God. It is not a blood relationship but a relationship based on a sacred agreement with God. The closest parallel we have in human life is the covenant of marriage. It is based on inviolable vows and mutual eternal commitment regardless of circumstances. Each of us in our struggles with God and in life is like Jacob. We want to get ahead without God but then we finally realize through our life experiences that we can find our rest as well as our rise only in the Lord and with His continual help.
Each of us is a servant of God. Paul considered himself a bond servant of Jesus as he was redeemed or purchased by the blood of Jesus. We are called to serve God as a chosen vessel. Each of us is called to fulfill a specific purpose in our lives. Formerly, we were servants of sin. We were prey to the curse of disobedience. But when we become servants of God redeemed by Christ, we are set free to be children of God and Friends of God. Now that we are the children of Abraham by faith, we should do the deeds that Abraham did or would do. Jesus said, “ A servant does not share all the secrets of the master. But I have shared all things freely with you. I treated you not as servants but as friends.”


Every believer is a seed of Abraham. The seed of faith is planted in our hearts and it grow to bear fruit over a lifetime. We are like Abraham Friends of God. Like a friend, we can talk with Him and share our lives with Him. We can confide in Him. He can confide in us. He encourages us and enables us to pursue our cherished goals and dreams. We carry His message of friendship to the rest of the world. As Abraham was shielded, guided, led and blessed by God, each of us is shielded, guided, led and blessed. As Abraham’s faith was subjected to some difficult tests, our faith too would be subjected to tests of endurance and strength. As God did the impossible in Abraham’s life, He would do it gladly in our lives. But we will realize at the end of it all that it is not in the achieving but in being with the Lord that is the source of our joy and strength.

Prateep V Philip