But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
This is another one of those 'signature verses' for me; one of the few I can quote accurately. There is so much jam-packed in this one verse. It articulates such a wonderful vision of what the church is, and is called to be and do. This vision is all the more incredible when it seems the church Peter writes to is struggling with issues of identity as well as persecution. Let's look at Peter's claims.
First, we are Privileged; like ancient Israel, God has chosen we who make up the church to embody and proclaim the Good News.
Next, we are Priests; we have the amazing opportunity to serve God, each other and the world as God's ministers of reconciliation.
Third, we have been Parted; we have been separated out from the world, not because of our goodness, but through God's grace. In the process, God is making us holy.
Fourth, we have been Purchased; we belong to God. God paid the price of sending his son who lived the life we could not live (perfect), who paid the price we could not pay (death on a cross), to offer us a future we did not deserve (forgiven) and an eternity we cannot comprehend (life in all its fullness).
Finally, we have a Purpose - to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his glorious light.
Wow!
I love being a part of the church. This big, happy and sometimes dysfunctional family is my spiritual home.
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