Remembering I've Been Chosen by God - Your Nightly Scripture - September 4th
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Remembering I’ve Been Chosen by God
Evening Scripture
1 Peter, Chapter 2
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
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. For in Scripture it says:
“See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
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,”
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.
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. 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.
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.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Evening Reflection
I remember being picked last in middle school gym class. At least, for some sports. I was thin and clumsy, tall and gangly, so I would get picked last for football or softball.
The New Testament shares how God chose us first. Not based on our ability or how cool we were, but on his love for us and his intrinsic valuation of us. In one sense, God chooses the things or people this world considers “weak” and “poor” over the rich and strong (1 Corinthians 1:27). Good news indeed. Those who follow Jesus respond to how he first called us; he chose us in Christ before time began (Ephesians 1:4, 2 Timothy 1:9).
God chose us for a purpose, to live as Christ and enjoy a relationship with the Father eternally; Peter outlines the ways to live as the chosen. Ultimately, our goal remains to focus on Jesus and obey him, using him as the model. Being in Christ, and Christ in us, we’ve been empowered to live like Jesus—as a living stone, a priest of God, rejected by humanity, accepted by the Father, praising God with our mouth, living free from sin and vice and self, serving others with love, and persevering through suffering and rejection.
To live chosen, we exhibit the character of the Living One within us. Submitting to God as such a living sacrifice, we will endure to receive our Kingdom resurrection.
Evening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
You chose me in Christ before the foundation of the world, not because of my strength but because of your love. I praise you that I’m not forgotten or overlooked, but chosen and precious in your sight.
Help me to rest in your grace and Spirit to be a living stone, built into your spiritual house, and a faithful priest who intercedes and lives as a continual sacrifice for you. Shape my heart to reflect Jesus in his humility, obedience, and love. Help me turn from sin, self, and then live in freedom. You have already accepted me. Let my life express your praises. Form Christ in and through me as I walk in your purpose each day.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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