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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. 1 Peter 2:9
Two principles struck me in reading today’s passage.
Who we are (identity) determines what we do (purpose). This principle was stated clearly in Bert’s message on Sunday. When our current behaviour do not proclaim God’s excellencies , the Word of God reminds us that we are God’s chosen people. God’s chosen people ought to behave like God’s chosen people. Take heart – a life that glorifies God is not formed overnight. That we are being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5) suggests that God is in the process of moulding us.
Who we are (identity) is preceded by whose we are (allegiance/Lordship). That verse 9 begins with the conjunction ‘but’ necessitate a closer look at verses 4 – 8. Before we, the living stones, can be built into the spiritual house, we must come to the Living Stone (1 Peter 2:1). I want to suggest that if we aren’t experiencing the transforming power of the Spirit, it is because we do not come to Jesus. Or live unyielded lives to Jesus. This week’s message dovetailed providentially with last week’s. Only God’s chosen people are being transformed into living stones that reflect God’s glory. We cannot be transformed unless we come to Jesus. And we do not come to Jesus unless we are thirsty for Him.