Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sanctification in the Life of the Church
Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2: 9-10

Key Verse: “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.”

DEVOTION

Apostle Peter wrote the letter of 1st Peter as a circular to “God’s elect exiles," Christians throughout Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. The letter is intended to encourage and give strength to the Christians in that area who were being persecuted for their faith.
In 1 Peter 2:9, these persecuted Christians are a “chosen people," “a holy nation," and “God’s special possession". He is reminding the Christian community that they are like the
Israelites, who were also persecuted for their faith and referred to as "chosen," "holy,” and “treasured possession” (Deut 14:2). Peter also refers to the recipients of this letter as “a royal priesthood." In the Old Testament, priests were the only ones who had the authority to speak to God and proclaim the word of God; they were the mediators between God and his people. Peter is telling the Christians that they are all called to be priests and have been given direct access to God. They have this privilege because of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross and having received his mercy.
We often attach our identities to the jobs we do, or how much money we make, or the neighborhoods we live in, or the friends we hang out with. But Peter is reminding us here that we belong to something greater, more divine—we are God’s people. Additionally, Peter is reminding us that we are set apart like royalty and sanctified or freed from sin to “sing praises of him." Let this truth shape our actions, words, and attitudes, bringing glory to the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light through the ultimate sacrifice.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your sacrifice and setting us apart as a church, as a faith community, as a holy people to carry out your will in this world. Help us to shape our actions, words and attitude to always bring glory to your kingdom.

Thought of the day

“The more we get what we call 'ourselves' out of the way and let Him take over, the more truly ourselves we become.” - C.S. Lewis

Merin & Jacob Johnson
Church Name: Carmel Mar Thoma Church, BostonI’

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