1 Peter 2 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
So Peter is pouring it on thick here with regards to “who” we really become through Jesus! This relates powerfully to the message theme this week (see yesterday’s blog) about Jesus calling a sinner like Matthew to be His disciple and then having dinner with his friends. A bunch of “nobodies” became a bunch of “somebodies” because Jesus waltzed into their lives!
Peter knows we need constant reminders, big over the top reminders of “who” we really are in Jesus Christ. If we could each fully claim those above listed titles as our own – WOW! – chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s special possession!
I simply love these verses because the more I meditate, ingest, absorb and contemplate them the better person I become in the sense that my attitude shifts, my esteem rises, clarity begins to come, confidence grows, my heart softens, criticism and control lessen … it’s not magic it’s just “truth at work” in a nobody like me.
Everything I do and every action I take flows from “who” I am or more clearly “who” I perceive myself to be at that given moment! Who I perceive myself to be informs how I act! This identity/worth/esteem question is huge for every person of every age in every culture – and God has settled the issue through Jesus! (Can you tell I feel passionately about this!)
It’s just that most people in our world do not know – I mean really know- how and why God has settled the “Who am I? What am I worth? Questions "! And the cool thing is His “answer” is so good for us and free of charge! No wonder Peter, after dousing us with our true identity, sends us out to “declare the praises of Him… and live such good lives… that the pagans end up glorifying God!" A world of people end up getting it – really getting who they really are in Jesus - because a bunch of nobodies turned somebodies got all excited about following Jesus!
What is going through your heart and mind as you read these verses?
What is God saying?
Post your comments and thoughts – we all benefit – you are chosen, royal, holy and incredibly special!
Enjoy, delton