Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 1, 2016
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
As an immature new Christian, I wanted to make sure other Christians saw me doing Christian things. My identity was more in the approval of Christians than from my acceptance in Christ. Looking back, embarrassingly so—I remember dining in a restaurant with my family and proudly asking a blessing when the food was served to our table. But, between the time I said amen, and before all six of us ate our first bite—a Christian couple we knew walked in for lunch. Not to be seen ungrateful or shy about public praying—I told our family we would pray again, and we did!
Peter addresses this performance trap of fear and distrust, where the flesh strives exhausted—contrasted with confidence energized by the Spirit where personal worth is valued by how God defines His child. A chosen people means all races who bow to belief in Christ are accepted and beloved by their heavenly Father. A royal priesthood elevates believers as priests with direct access to King Jesus. Those who praise the name of Almighty God are possessed by God—so no enemy can reframe a Christian’s identity. We are called from darkness to walk in His wonderful light.
“I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me” (Acts 26:17-18).
Are you driven by your performance in the flesh or are you led by your acceptance in the Spirit? Do you value your personal worth in Christ’s currency or by the world’s appraisal of you? God has delivered you from the darkness of basing your worthiness on works and man’s approval to the light of His love and mercy. His grace is at work in you to complete the works He has called you to do—yes it is the Spirit’s power in you, through you and with you. Like a luxury Tesla electric car, your life empowered by God quietly traffics through life—daily electrified by grace.
The riches of your spiritual inheritance is immeasurable and superior to the world’s system of success. As you daily dollar cost average deeds done in the Spirit and petitions prayed by faith, your eternity portfolio will continue to grow beyond what you can imagine in this life. Love laid down His life for you, because He personally prized your personal worth. Just as astounding—the resurrected Christ lives in you, loves you and cherishes you—His creation. Whatever Jesus is worth is what you are worth—He is your life. Radically rejoice, your personal worth is priceless!
“I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:7-8).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that I am Your prized possession totally accepted in Christ.Application
In what area of my life do I need to stop striving for approval and instead rest in the riches of God’s grace?Related Reading
Deuteronomy 7:6; 1 Samuel 12:22; 1 Peter 2:5; Titus 2:14Post/Tweet today
Are you driven by your performance in the flesh or are you led by your acceptance in the Spirit? #wisdomhunters #personalworthWorship Resource
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