Reminder

1 Peter 2:9 NIV  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.

This world can be a rough place. There is not a day goes by that we don’t need to remind ourselves of whose we are. And there is no better reminder than Peter’s words of encouragement in 1 Peter 2:9.

It’s important to remember that Peter was writing to both Jewish and Gentile believers who had been dispersed throughout the ancient world and were under intense persecution. The Jews were very familiar with these words, as Peter is giving a direct quote of Exodus 19:5–6. God told Moses, "tell the Israelites that if they kept his covenant, they would be a chosen people, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation." Peter is now proclaiming that all, Jews and Gentiles, share in this same inheritance through the redeeming work of Jesus, His precious blood, and the Holy Spirit.

Every day we need to remind ourselves that we are chosen. Ephesians 1:5 tells us, “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Not based on our qualifications or any good works but only on God’s unconditional love, grace, and mercy. More than chosen, we have been chosen with a purpose. Jesus told his followers, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you would go and bear much fruit.”

We are also set apart to be a royal priesthood. Now the Jewish believers were very familiar with the role of the royal priesthood, the High Priest. Once a year, and only once, the High Priest entered behind the veil into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of bulls and a goats on the Mercy Seat as a sin offering for the people of Israel. When Jesus paid with his own blood for our complete forgiveness and redemption, that veil that separated God’s presence from us was torn, and we now have full access to God the Father. Peter is not calling us to wear priestly garments but to live a transformed life, entering and remaining in God’s presence on a continual basis. As a royal priesthood, we are not set apart by who we are but by who we serve.

Then Peter proclaimed them a holy nation. Remember, these were believers that were scattered and suffering from severe persecution. Peter focused on the importance of believers bearing up under unjust suffering yet continuing to be an example of Christ. Demonstrating to the world what a difference God makes in our lives. “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” 1 Peter 3:15. Our faith and how we respond are not to be based on our circumstances or on the actions of others, but on the fact that Christ has called us a holy people, called out of darkness into his marvelous light.

We are also God’s special possession, and as such, nothing can take us from him or separate us from his love. John 10:28, “No one can snatch you away from me, for my Father has given you to me.” And all for a single purpose. Declaring the praises of God is more than just words we say during a worship service. We declare the praises of God by demonstrating his kindness, goodness, and telling of his offer of salvation to a lost and dying world.

Challenge yourself to be reminded each day that you are chosen, with priestly access to the Father, not controlled by situations, tightly held by Him, all to proclaim His glory. You will see the difference.

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Gary and Sandy Anthony

1 Peter 2:9 TPT But you are God’s chosen treasure —priests who are kings, a spiritual nation set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience his marvelous light, and now he claims you as his very own. He did this so that you would proclaim his glorious wonders throughout the world.

Exodus 19:5-6 NLT Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.

Deuteronomy 7:6 NLT For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure.

Revelation 1:5-6 NLT All glory to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding his blood for us. He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever!

Revelation 5:9-10 NIV And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.

Isaiah 61:6 NLT You will be called priests of the Lord, ministers of our God.

2 Timothy 1:9 NIV He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time.

Deuteronomy 26:18-19 NIV And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.

Deuteronomy 14:2 NIV For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession.

Psalms 33:12 NIV Blessed and prosperous is that nation who has God as their Lord! They will be the people he has chosen for his own.

John 15:16 NIV You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Colossians 3:1-4 NIV Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.