1 Peter 2:9,10 – “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
One of the amazing things about Christianity is the fact that anyone can get in. I mean, you don’t have to be born one or be part of the right group or have some sort of special access. When I think about it I’m blown away. I read a verse like verse 10 above and I sink back in my chair and have one of those “moments.” It’s a “wow” moment where I try to take in and absorb that statement. It’s humbling and it reminds me. And I need to be reminded. I need to reflect and ponder and remember just where I came from and in what condition I was found and…well, His mercy just overwhelms me. Verse 9 will knock your socks off with the declaration of who you are: “chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation, His own special people.” Who, me? Unbelievable! But it’s verse 10 that really sobers me: “who once were not a people but are now the people of God.” Mike, don’t ever forget that whatever you are now, you were once far from that. Oh the love of God! Paul said in 1Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am…” Verse 9 above reminds us that we didn’t walk out of darkness; He called us out of darkness. You don’t know where you’re going when you are in darkness.
There’s a song that is ringing in my mind right now: “When I think about the Lord, how He picked me up and turned me around, how He placed my feet on solid ground…makes me wanna shout! Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus! Lord, You’re worthy of all the glory, all of the honor, all of the praise!” I think I’m gonna have a good day!