Chosen!

Chosen!

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. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9‭-‬10 NIV

The Context and Focus:

Identity is very important in any conversation about expectations. The man who wrote the words of today's verse is an example of this point. He didn't start out confident; in fact, actual name was Simon son of Jona, with Simon meaning a reed, easily shaken by the wind. Jesus called him Peter, because He saw what Simon would and could become. In the same way, no matter what I look like now, it does not in any way look like who God wants to make me. It does not appear that many people even remember his name as Simon anymore. The key to accessing all that God is and can make me is total surrender. God does not force Himself on anyone, but for all who come, His promise is that he will not cast away. If I will have access to the amazing treasure of today's verses, I have to come to Jesus, and take him up on the offer of life. The verses above speak to people who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. The same chapter asks me to crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it, I may grow up in my salvation. Have I come to this saving knowledge? 

The Message:

The power and consequences of the choices we make cannot be overemphasized. We can blame the economy, our family background, the available options we had growing up, but at the end of the day, we still have to make choices, and these choices define our earthly impact as well as our eternal reality. Now, it is very important to note that God does not leave us alone to fend for ourselves; he offers help. He has and holds the master plan for our lives, and as we surrender to Him, he is able to fit us into his perfect plan. He is building a spiritual house, a place for the manifestation of His power, glory and grace. In that house, like the temple of old, perfect and acceptable sacrifices are to be made to God. As we know, God rejected the blind, lame or diseased animals as sacrifices; they had to be of a specific type, age and appearance. As it was then, so is it now. I come to God as I am, but he does not leave me the same way I came. He cleans me up, and then sends me back into the world as the perfect example of what He can do with yielded vessels. That is what today's verses make clear: my past or present look like nothing like my future. God is working in me that which is His perfect will. 

The Conclusion:

Check out all the words used to describe those who have come to know Christ: chosen people, royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. Out of many, He chose me. Just as He called me does he call each and everyone of us. God will not form and birth anyone for whom He does not have an eternal plan. He called me, not because of what I could give Him (in monetary terms),

but for what He could make of me. He takes me as I am, but when I have come to know Him, there is a demand for holiness. He makes me His special possession, calling me not just into royalty, but also into priesthood. Of course, the child of a king is a heir to the throne, and the family of the Great High Priest is called into priesthood. The call of God on a man's life is not to be taken lightly; it is a call into a life of dedication and focus, and a daily appreciation of what I have received from God. Mercy has brought me in, and  has made and equipped me as a person that God can count on and use in these end times. What is your own decision? Remember, God is eternal, but for those of us on earth, all his promises are dated. Make up your mind while the offer lasts. God's time of favour is here.