Peter, the apostle (meaning the sent one) of Jesus Christ reiterates the fact that believers are “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ”. – 1 Pet 1:2. He writes that God the Father has begotten us again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever – 1 Pet 1:23, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and does not fade away – 1 Pet 1:4. Believers are “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people”. – 1 Pet 2:9.

This chosen generation should live as strangers and pilgrims abstaining from fleshly lusts. – 1 Pet 2:11. They are to “put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man has a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Col 3:12-15. The chosen must “give diligence to make your calling and election sure: – 2 Pet 1:10. Then “an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”. -2 Pet 1 :11.

Believers are the light to their immediate world as is the Lord Jesus to the entire world; they bring to open all filth, corruption and sin in man.

Believers are the salt of the earth who not only preserve it from decay and destruction but also add taste and meaning to the life of people around them even though their part is not publicised as they remain hidden among the multitude.

Believers are called to love their enemies, bless them that curse them, do good to them that hate them, and pray for them which despitefully use them and persecute them;
Believers enter in at the strait gate: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and it is just a few that find it.

If you find yourself among the majority, it is high time for retrospection, circumspection and introspection! The majority is wrong most of the time.

Believers overcome the wicked one with the word. Those who are born of Him practise righteousness. Though they are in the world, they are not worldly people running after its passions or seeking its pride. They are not idolaters, who sit down to eat and drink and rise to play.

Believers are sanctified people, the separated and called out ones, consecrated for God’s service. They are the ecclesia - the church. They offer themselves spirit, soul and body to holiness in anticipation of the coming of their Lord and Saviour who would appear for them a second time.

How does one become a part of His-story? One cannot force himself or herself into His-story or pay enough to become a part of it. No religion or religious denomination can qualify anybody for this honour. Good works, non-violence, a vegetarian lifestyle or becoming a sage by renouncing the passions of life are useless.

No subscription to an earthly church, no tithing (giving one-tenth of one’s income), no offering or no donation to charity can earn this privilege. And none can bribe anybody! No recommendation will help – praying to the dead Mary the dead disciples (St.Peter, St.John, St.Paul et al) and the dead saints (St.Antony, St.Sebastian St. Anne et al) is futile. Visiting shrines or going on a pilgrimage, dipping in a temple tank, river (Ganga or Jordan!) or sea, offering sacrifices (of goats, calf, cow/bull, camel, cock or pigeon, coconut, pumpkins (gourds) or lemon) or dropping gold, silver, precious stones and money in the hundials at temples and churches are of no use. Lighting candles and camphor (karpooram), burning incense (sambirani and sticks), anointing an idol with water, milk, ghee or any other mixture (conducting abishekams) or serving free food for devotees and the poor (annadhanam) are considered “dead works” by God. Angapradhakshanam (rolling around a temple lying down on the ground), bowing many times a day, pilgrimage by foot or piercing oneself to bleed will not earn anybody a place in His-story.

The Son of God will accept with open hands one who humbles oneself and comes to the Saviour agreeing, “I am a sinner and deserve the punishment of eternal death. Thank You for bearing my punishment on the cross, shedding your blood and dying for me”. The Redeemer will readily accept a repentant and contrite heart. The Son of Man will immediately forgive a believing soul that recognizes that He has paid in full the penalty of one’s sins. A person who puts one’s faith in the saving grace of the Lord, leaving behind all religion and tradition of men, will be added to His Kingdom.

Don’t you want to be one? Respond in faith as per the previous para.