In days past, some ridiculed Christianity’s hope with words that suggested that the Gospel was just a story about ‘pie in the sky by and by!” In a more sincere conversation, I had with a young man, raised in the church, he wondered aloud about the Gospel he heard that made much of being ‘forgiven for his sins so he could go to Heaven.’
I appreciated his honesty when he said something like this: “Heaven is not all that close to me at this stage in life, so what does Christ Jesus mean to me now?” I replied by reminding him that life is short and we are just a breath from eternity and then, to his point, we looked at this passage about being “Christian.” Peter reminds us that the Gospel offers us real joy, real benefits right here, right now.
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. …
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)
We want to know that our lives count for something. The idea that we exist just to eat, gather possessions, procreate, grow old and die is depressing! When we come to Christ Jesus, He brings a purpose; becoming part of His Church that is commissioned with making God seen and known in this world. The church I served is a beautiful place of worship. There are thousands of bricks that form the walls. Singularly they are just a little red block of clay. Together they are beautiful!
The Gospel turns my little insignificant life into one that is part of God’s great work – stretching across time, through many cultures, touching millions – and with real purpose.
Peter goes on to speak of the amazing identity that is found through Christ.
“Chosen” reminds us that God seeks us, desires us. It is amplified in the phrase that says we are “God’s special possession.” When I own something, I care for it. The greater the treasure, the greater my interest in keeping it safe and in good condition. God’s love owns my heart and assures me that I am kept in His care, never set to the side in favor of someone better.
“Royal priesthood” and “holy nation” teach us about our high calling – to represent God in the world with our praise and worship. As the Spirit lives in us, we shine like a light in the dark despair of this world. Our lives, marked by His beauty, filled with His love, turn the attention of others to Him. Beyond that we are also given the privilege of carrying the world to Him in our prayers. More than just ‘God bless my family, my friends,” we pray for peace, for new life, for hope, for those in sorrow. This is work of importance.
“People of God” is a phrase we so need to understand. In Christ we are given a place in God’s family, called to live out an identity. While I am glad to be an American my greater joy is to be part of God’s family. Paul teaches us that “in Christ” all the old labels we once wore framed by nationality, ethnicity, race, or social status are eclipsed when we are ‘baptized into Christ.’
The Gospel does include the assurance of Heaven as my eternal home, a promise that I treasure. And, the Good News of Christ offers much more, as Jesus says, “life to the full.” He makes us noble people capable of doing much more than we could do through our own abilities. He shapes our lives and gives us love, joy, and peace. Who could ask for more?
Have you trusted Him? Would you respond to His invitation in Faith? The word from the Word today is a familiar passage. Let the Truth find you anew.
(I pray) “asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow
in your knowledge of God. … that your hearts will be flooded with light so that
you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy
people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. …that you will understand the
incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same
mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of
honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything
else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all
things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for
the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and
complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself. “(Ephesians
1) Amen
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