“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Maybe you remember the days on the playground in school when teams were picked. You never wanted to be the one picked last. It meant that no one wanted you. Maybe it happened to you.
But when it comes to God’s team, it is different. Peter tells us that you are chosen. You are wanted. You are anointed by God.
First, you are anointed for salvation. It is the anointing that you receive through your baptism and through your faith placed in him. Jesus died on the cross for you. You are an heir to the kingdom. Praise God for this amazing gift. Even if you were the only person on the face of the earth, Jesus would have still died for you.
A friend of mine once encouraged me to read John 3:16 and insert my name in the place of “the whole world”. It puts a new significance on the verse. Try it out:
For God so loved – – INSERT YOUR NAME – -, that he gave his only Son… (John 3:16, ESV)
You are more special to God than you ever realize. Chosen by him!
Second, you are anointed for service to the king. You are anointed to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of the darkness. In Ephesians 2:10, it says that you are created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for you to do. God has given you gifts, talents, and abilities to put to work in service to him. You are part of the team!
If you have Jesus, you have joy and peace that others do not have. If you have Jesus, you will talk differently. You will act differently. You will not be like most the people around you. You will stand out. They will see the marvelous light of Jesus in you and through you.
You are chosen! Shine the light!
Reflection
- What does it mean to you that you are chosen by God?
- How do you shine the marvelous light in the darkness?
Prayer
Jesus, thank you for choosing me through the cross of Calvary. Thank you for the gift of salvation and for calling me into your service. This world is filled with so much darkness. Every day we see the consequences of sin. Help me to walk in your light every day and experience your joy and peace that others would see your light in me. Amen.
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