Live as People Belonging to God

You are chosen by God. The basis of this message comes from 1 Peter 2 where we learn about being God’s chosen people living a world where we are to be light in the darkness.

God chose you to be a part of His people. You may think you chose Him, but He chose you first; He first loved you. Your response should be to love, worship, and obey Him. We are to be set apart for God. That means we should strive to live according to God’s best for us.

You are chosen by God

The basis of this message comes from 1 Peter 2 where we learn about being God’s chosen people living a world where we are to be light in the darkness.

We start with 1 Peter 2:7-12

‘Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and, “A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for. 9 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. 10 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. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us’ (1 Peter 2:7-12, NIV).

You will either believe that Jesus is the son of the living God, or you will reject Jesus and stumble spiritually. These verses state clearly who you are as a believer, and how you are to live:

• Who: you are God’s;

• What: you have received mercy from God;

• Do: declare the praises of God;

• Do Not: give in to sinful desires.

We are fighting a spiritual battle for our souls. If we are God’s people, we represent Jesus to the world. We have the responsibility and blessing of showing Jesus to the rest of the world. The world needs to see the love of God.

Four Characteristics of the New Testament Church and it’s Believers:

1. Chosen people

2. Royal priesthood

3. Holy nation

4. People belonging to God

The nation, priesthood, and people are to glorify God. That means individuals, you, as part of those groups are to glorify God.

God chose you to be a part of His people. You may think you chose Him, but He chose you first; He first loved you. Your response should be to love, worship, and obey Him.

Moving on to 1 Peter 2:13-17

‘Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. 16 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. 17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor’ (1 Peter 2:13-17).

We are to be set apart for God. That means we should strive to live according to God’s best for us; to be the light of the world; to be a point of hope and help to the world. We will never be perfect. But if the world sees us striving to overcome our own sin and the forgiveness of God, they will be able to see themselves in us. They’ll be able to see that they, too, can come to God for a new life.

Action Steps

How are you living? Take a good look at your own life and be honest with yourself about how you’re living your life. If you’re not living up to the person you should be as a follower of Jesus, take steps to become that person. When you do, God will help you.

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