1 Peter 2:9-10 

⁹But 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. ¹⁰Once 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.

Time Management

Are you very conscious about time management? Everyone gets 24 hours a day. And everyone has priorities. We prioritize and spend much time to essential things and necessities. How you dress up may expose priority of your day. Are you very conscious how much time you spend dressing up before you go to work, school or appointment?

An extremely rich person was interviewed. He was asked why he wears the same color of clothes almost every single day. He casually specified that it can minimize his time deciding which clothes he should wear. And so, he bought 30 pieces of the same clothes that he likes to wear comfortably. Well, he was less conscious of what others may say or think about what he wears. As long as it is comfortable, he would wear it.

Jesus Christ had encouraged his disciples in Luke 12:22-23, ²²Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. ²³For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.

Many individuals are worried about clothes not because they do not have clothes to wear but which clothes help them appreciated; it is egocentric variant of worry.

Does Christ want us to forget our body? He wants us not to worry much about clothes. But when we worry about what we may wear, do you accept that as violation, and we sin against the command of Christ to not worry about what to wear?

Still someone may say, “I’m not worrying; I’m just anxious of what I wear, that’s all!” Listen: The term “worry” means “anxiousness, uneasiness, disturbed, distracted or care much.” If you don’t care much about what you wear, you can just wear anything comfortable to you, but not necessarily disregarding social decorum or decency.

Of course, we need godly wisdom to comprehend it when Christ warns us not to worry. It is natural self-consciousness to worry about our appearance or what to wear. Consciously or not, we aspire for appreciation. If you’re very assured that the Lord of lords, the King of kings has chosen you, you would be anxious about behavior more than clothes. We may dress up ordinarily or extra-ordinarily, God judges our actions for sure.

Personally, have you sincerely accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? As our Savior, the torture and death of Christ was punishment for our sins, so that we won’t be punished eternally for our sins. But is he free to function as Lord in us, yet?

He will surely return and take his special possessions (believers) into his heaven.

1.  Possession

⁹But 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. 

Believers of Christ are a special possession of God. Wow! God designated us as his chosen people. God bestowed upon us the honor as royal priesthood. He sets us apart also as his holy nation or sacred ethnic group of people. Well, if we are his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, how do we explain? What does it means to be chosen people of God? What can benefit us as special possession of God? Well, how do you normally deal or treat your special possession?

Starting 5

In professional basketball team, there are “Starting 5” players. “Starting 5” are the first five players from a basketball team who would play against another “Starting 5” of an opposing team when a basketball game starts. Normally, “Starting 5” players are best players in a team; they are given much time to play and showcase their basketball skills and talents. Subsequently, those who play well are given much attention by the media and become popular. Basketball teams may offer them high salary eventually.

Most, if not all, professional basketball players aim to earn a spot in the “Starting 5” to showcase their basketball skills; astronomical salaries follow, if they play well.

Employers appreciate and favor employees with extra-ordinary talents and skills, not just in sports. Do you believe that? Listen: The owner and creator of everything, the Lord appreciates and certainly favors believers he chose as his special possession.

Believers should expect favorable opportunities of blessing as holy nation of God. What can we understand about a holy nation of God? We can learn from the Israelites.

It says in Deuteronomy 14:1-3, ¹You are the children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead, ²for you are a people holy to the Lord your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession. ³Do not eat any detestable thing. 

The Lord chose the Israelites as his treasured possession; he required them to follow diligently his commandments and decrees. Why? The Lord wanted the Israelites to behave in godly righteousness as testimony and practical example that behaving in godly righteousness attracts practical favorable benefits to the obedient believer.

The story of the Israelites illustrates that obedience to God releases his blessings while disobedience to God causes undesirable punishment for rebellious transgression.

As believers of Christ, we are favorably blessed. God situates us where we can gather or accumulate much of his blessing practically and spiritually for his purpose.

2. Purpose

⁹But 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.

The conjunction “that” signals; it introduces the purpose, cause or reason why God preferred believers as his chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation and special possession. What is his purpose that God prefers us as chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation and special possession? “That we may declare the praises of God,” how is it?

How do we explain this? “Called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Apostle Paul testified that the Lord commanded him and told him in Acts 26:18, ¹⁸Open 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.

By his grace, the Lord called us from darkness to light when we believe in Christ. After God freed us from the devil’s power and control, he didn’t leave us idle or to just live our life on our own effort. Or else, we can be tempted and return to darkness again.

So, the Lord sent his Holy Spirit into our hearts to empower us, and he provides essential things we need for godly lifestyle of righteousness. So then, our lifestyle, decision, action, words and even our thoughts, our whole being may serve as godly showcase and practical example of favorable benefits that cause praises and gratitude to God. Subsequently, observers will also be attracted to put their faith in the Lord; and, they too, may personally praise him for his abundant grace, mercy and love for them.

It says in 2 Timothy 2: 20-21, ²⁰In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 

Scissor

I am not very sure about it, but my family may have been amused that I bought a good number of scissors. There’s one or more scissors you may find in various parts of our home. I even tied a string to one scissor in the kitchen so that it won’t be misplaced.

What’s so special with scissor?  I made it sure that my family paid attention and, understood my instruction: “Do not use; do not even touch the scissor I use to cut hair!”

Very meticulously, I take care of the scissor I usually use to cut hair, so that when I use it, it will always be sharp as I expected. And so, I purchased many scissors so that they will not be tempted to use or even touch the scissor I use especially for cutting hair.

Do you have something that you take care very meticulously with so much care? Do you have something that you use for special purpose, and only you should use it? You do not even want others to use it or even touch it, even members of your family.

If you do, you have a better understanding what it means being chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession? The Lord’s purpose is for us to declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

            Can you personally testify that your life experiences are a declaration of praises to God? If you were to tell others that you praise God for all the practical experiences of transformation ever since you followed Christ as your Lord, what could that be? Do your life experiences been better when you followed Christ? Do you like your life now better than before you followed Christ? Would you now prioritize the Lord in your decisions?

3. Priority

¹⁰Once 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.

Among all his creations, God prioritize his believers. Can you accept that?

Before we put our faith in Christ, God considered us as his enemies. But after we trusted Christ as our Lord and Savior, he gave us the right to become children of God. Faith in Christ includes repentance of sin and desire to live in godly righteousness.

To live in godly righteousness is the most practical proof of trusting Jesus as Lord.

We practice godly righteousness; it is the best lifestyle we can ever have on earth and in eternity. When we are empowered by the Holy Spirit of Christ, we live in godly righteousness, and that is when we are practically reconciled to God. Reconciliation to God is practically exhibited when we practice godly righteousness pleasant to him.

It says in Romans 8:13-17, ¹³For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. ¹⁴For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Glorious experience is the ultimate pinnacle of life in godly righteousness. How do you describe glorious experience? You may have heard some parents saying, “I’m proud of you child!” or you may have been longing your parents to tell you, “I’m proud of you child!” Yet the Scripture repeatedly warned that God is opposed to the proud.

When believers are proud of their children, they are also implying that they want God to oppose them. It is worldly statement to say, “I’m proud of you!” But in actuality, parents just want to verbally express their glorious feeling for the achievements of their children, and they are not well-informed how to say it. So, how should believers express verbally that we sense glorious feeling for the attainment of our love ones? Suggestions!

Say, “I’m glad and praise God he gave you such incredible talent! I’m glad and praise God, you achieved your dream!” “I’m glad and praise God for your success!”

Such are few examples that believers can declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness to light. We praise the Lord for great things; we prioritize him.

When we prioritize the Lord and love him with all our heart, mind and soul, our very word should testify about our love for him. We cannot be transformed overnight, but by his grace, God helps us remember to prioritize him in everything we do or say.

The Disciples of Christ learned from him practically in person; but, they were still confused how they may prioritize him. Why? Cultural or traditional practice of kindness or goodness confused them how they expressed their faith in Christ and prioritized him.

The Poor

Few days before the crucifixion of Christ, it narrated in John 12:3-7, ³Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. ⁴But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, ⁵“Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” ⁶He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. ⁷“Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. ⁸You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”

How much is a pint of perfume? A pint is almost ½ liter (.473 liter). And how much does 1 pint of pure nard cost in biblical times? It cost one year worth of wage. In our context, what is the annual minimum wage? More or less $30,000.00. Wow!

Would you spend that much for Jesus Christ? One may argue, “Well, Mary may have been very wealthy so that she can waste such expensive perfume at one time.”

Actually, such thinking has similar indignation to the verbal comment of Judas Iscariot.

Jesus appreciated what Mary did, and it was biblically recorded in memory of her.

            Pray and consider how your story as believer of Christ would be told biblically. Pray that your lifestyle be a declaration of praises of God and not otherwise.

Lord Supper

The Lord Supper reminds that we are mandated to proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Do you have clear understanding why Christ was crucified for us?

Does your lifestyle declare praises of God so that others may imitate to praise him too?

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