Chosen . . . With Enthusiasm

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The ground under our feet is shifting, and pretending otherwise only makes us dizzy. From Russia’s anti‑missionary law to rising pressure in workplaces and schools, we’re watching the culture say out loud what it actually believes—and that clarity, while costly, can be a gift. We step into that reality with 1 Peter, written to people called aliens and scattered, people who lacked legal standing, social welcome, and safety, yet carried a living hope that made idols look small.

We draw lines between the first century and now: how Christianity lost its protective umbrella in Rome, how distinction replaced camouflage, and why today’s debates over God, Scripture, marriage, gender, truth, judgment, and eternity require us to start at the level of definitions, not assumptions. History backs the strategy. Pliny the Younger recorded pagan temples standing empty in Bithynia because the quiet, persistent witness of believers reshaped the moral landscape. That kind of influence doesn’t come from outrage; it comes from a steady presence—working, blessing, warning, and praying with courage and grace.

At the heart of the conversation is a single word that steadies the soul: chosen. We treat election the way Scripture does—as comfort, not combat. God’s initiative doesn’t erase human responsibility; it enables genuine repentance and faith. If you have looked to Christ, your calling and election are sure, not because you feel it but because he holds you. That assurance fuels perseverance when jobs are on the line, when definitions collide, and when you feel like a stranger in your own town. Aliens and scattered isn’t a sentence; it’s a strategy. Your placement is purposeful. Your distinctness is the point.

Join us as we rethink witness for a pre‑Christian world, draw courage from the first century, and recover a resilient identity: rejected by the world, welcomed by God. If this speaks to you, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs steady hope, and leave a review to help others find it. Where do you feel the tension most—and how might God use you there?

What does it look like to live a holy life? In In Pursuit of Holiness, Stephen shows you how to think clearly, resist sin, and live differently in a culture that pulls you the other way. Move beyond information to real application. Get your copy today and take your next step with Christ. https://bit.ly/4v5aktw

Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/

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