Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
9 “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, GOD’s holy nation, HIS very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of GOD, for HE called you out of the darkness into HIS wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people; now you are the people of GOD. Once you received none of GOD’s mercy; now you have received HIS mercy.” ~ 1 Peter 2:9-10
Christians sometimes speak of “the priesthood of all believers.” In Old Testament times, people did not approach GOD directly. A priest acted as intermediary between GOD and sinful human beings. With Christ’s victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now we can come directly into GOD’s presence without fear. – “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious GOD. There we will receive HIS mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” – Hebrews 4:16 – Prayer is our approach to GOD, and we are to come “boldly”. Some Christians approach GOD meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask HIM to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because HE is your KING! But also come with bold assurance because HE is your Friend and Counselor. – We are also given the responsibility of bringing others to HIM. – 18 “All this newness of life is from GOD, who brought us back to HIMSELF through what Christ did. And GOD has given us the task of reconciling people to HIM. 19 For GOD was in Christ, reconciling the world to HIMSELF, no longer counting people’s sins against them. This is the wonderful message HE has given us to tell others. 20 We are Christ’s ambassadors, and GOD is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ HIMSELF were here pleading with you, ‘Be reconciled to GOD!’ 21 For GOD made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with GOD through Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 – GOD brings us back to HIMSELF – HE reconciles us – by blotting out our sins and making us right with HIM. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer GOD’s enemies, or strangers or foreigners to HIM. Because we have been reconciled to GOD, we have the privilege of encouraging others to do the same, and thus we are those who have “the task of reconciling people to HIM”. An ambassador is an official representative of one country to another. As believers, we are Christ’s ambassadors, sent with His message of reconciliation to the world. An ambassador of reconciliation has an important responsibility. We dare not take this responsibility lightly. When we are united with Christ as members of His body, we join in His priestly work of reconciling GOD and people.
People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments. But our relationship with Christ is far more important than our jobs, successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by GOD as HIS very own, and we have been called to represent HIM to others. We must remember that our value comes from being one of GOD’s children, not from what we can achieve. We have worth because of what GOD does, not because of what we do.
Father GOD, we are a chosen people – YOUR chosen people. We are a kingdom of priests, YOUR holy nation, YOUR very own possession. We know that this is so we can show others YOUR goodness, and that YOU have called us out of the darkness into YOUR wonderful light. Once we were not a people; now we are the people of GOD. Once we received none of YOUR mercy; now we have received YOUR mercy. Father, we are grateful.
Photo: Rainbow Rock (Brookings, Oregon)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
