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1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People to Shine for Jesus.1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (MSG) But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you-- INTRODUCTION In Old Testament times, people did not approach God directly. A priest acted as an intermediary between God and sinful human beings. With Christ's victory on the cross, that pattern changed. Now we can come directly into God's presence without fear (Hebrews 4: 16), and we are given the responsibility of bringing others to him also (2 Corinthians 5: 18-21). When we are united with Christ as members of his body, we join in his priestly work of reconciling God and humanity. People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments. But the importance of our relationship with Christ transcends our jobs, successes, wealth, or knowledge. We have been chosen by God as his very own, and we have been called to represent him to others. Remember that your value comes from being one of God's children, not from what you can achieve. You have worth because of what God does, not because of what you do. [Life Application SB 2019] The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. AA 9 COMMENTARY PEARL God's Special People In these final hours of probation for the sons of men, when the fate of every soul is so soon to be decided forever, the Lord of heaven and earth expects His church to arouse to action as never before. Those who have been made free in Christ through a knowledge of precious truth, are regarded by the Lord Jesus as His chosen ones, favored above all other people on the face of the earth; and He is counting on them to show forth the praises of Him who hath called them out of darkness into marvelous light. The blessings which are so liberally bestowed are to be communicated to others. The good news of salvation is to go to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people... The coming of Christ will take place in the darkest period of this earth's history. The days of Noah and of Lot picture the condition of the world just before the coming of the Son of man. The Scriptures, pointing forward to this time, declare that Satan will work with all power and "with all deceivableness of unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:9, 10. His working is plainly revealed by the rapidly increasing darkness, the multitudinous errors, heresies, and delusions of these last days. Not only is Satan leading the world captive, but his deceptions are leavening the professed churches of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great apostasy will develop into darkness deep as midnight. To God's people it will be a night of trial, a night of weeping, a night of persecution for the truth's sake. But out of that night of darkness God's light will shine. PK 716, 717 COMMENTARY Marvelous Light An Amazing Fact: In Svalbard, Norway - a chain of islands halfway between mainland Europe and the North Pole - the sun stays up for just over 130 days, from late April to late August. The summer temperatures average around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but luckily for the nearly 3,000 residents, the North Atlantic Current moderates winter temperatures, which average around 3 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. One effect of the persistent light is that people often find it difficult to fall asleep; some also say it can cause hypomania, a persistent euphoric and energetic mood. In the Bible, light is a symbol of the Word of God and God's law (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 6:23). Yet light is often used to describe the experience of salvation too. For example, the psalmist exclaims that the "LORD is my light and my salvation" (Psalm 27:1). Paul's encounter with light on the road to Damascus is another example - he saw "a light from heaven, brighter than the sun," and soon afterward he was given a mission to the Gentiles: "to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins" (Acts 26:13, 18). Even though Paul describes God as "dwelling in unapproachable light," Revelation tells us that the New Jerusalem is "illuminated" by "the glory of God" (1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 21:23). John helps to make the matter simple: "God is light," but it is possible for us to "walk in the light as He is in the light" when we "confess our sins" and allow Jesus "to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:5, 7, 9). There's nothing that can lift the spirits better than that kind of light! [Moving Mountains by Amazing Facts] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People to Shine for Jesus. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250708-1508.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250225-1413.html 1 Peter 2:9 - God's Great Family. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240801-1211.html 1 Peter 2:9 - Jesus Can Be Your Lifeline. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230123-0955.html 1 Peter 2:4-6 - Living Stones of God's Temple. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220131-0921.html 1 John 1:5 - God is Light; Holy and Perfect in Righteousness. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20251105-0456.html Psalm 27:1 - God Is Our Light, Salvation and Strength. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250408-1429.html Psalm 119:105 - Light For A Dark World. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170705-1105.html Psalm 119:105 - God's Guidance. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240608-0930.html Proverbs 6:23 - God's Word And Correction Are Like Lights Revealing The Path To Life Eternal https://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20050126-1106.html 1 John 1:7 - Living In The Light. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250529-1415.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |