SCRIPTURE
“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 the 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 2:9-10
SPOTLIGHT
Baroness Caroline Cox served as a member of the British House of Lords. She served internationally among the oppressed and persecuted people of the world. In addition, she was convicted in absentia and sentenced to five years in Southern Sudan for traveling into the forbidden areas. Southern Sudan has seen over 2 million people killed and over 5 million people displaced. In her words, Cox described how the Christian church/believers survive in such deplorable, inhuman conditions when they told her, “…we don’t believe in miracles, we rely on them.”
Cox told how she arrived at a Sudanese village by airplane and noticed that most of the homes had recently been destroyed. What was surprising was the community of believers were very joyful. After inquiring, Cox discovered the reason for their exuberance. Their pastor had just returned home from walking barefoot in the jungle where venomous snakes abound. More than this, the villagers rejoiced over the pastor’s report when he told them that 600 people had been baptized and 12 churches had been planted.
What an irony! These people were rejoicing in the midst of personal suffering. Seeing people come to know Jesus Christ far outweighed their personal pain. Peter had warned a Christian community of coming persecution. He wrote, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you, to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed…… However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. [1 Peter 4:12,13,16.] Is your personal loss more important than souls being lost for eternity? It wasn’t for these believers.
HOW WILLING ARE YOU TO REACH YOUR CITY FOR JESUS CHRIST? Jesus Christ wants His Church, which is composed of believers like you, to realize the importance of winning people to Jesus Christ. In our Scripture text above, the Apostle Peter said that you are chosen by God to do great things for God. You are royalty because you made Jesus Christ, who is the King of Kings, your Savior and Lord. You are part of God’s priesthood, prepared to serve and enrich peoples’ lives. You are a citizen of a holy nation, with its capital in heaven. And never forget, you are “God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” When you became a believer, you have been called not to just believe in miracles, but instead to rely on them. Expect God to do miracles through you so that unbelievers will come to faith in Jesus Christ. You are very privileged. God has called you to be His people, His eyes, His hands, His feet and His mouth to a very needy world filled with people without hope. Declare praises about Jesus every time you can. Declare how Jesus Christ changed your dark filled, drifting, even perhaps depressing life, into a light filled, meaningful, secure life.
SOMETHING TO DO
#1. Who is the closest person in your life who does not personally know Jesus Christ? Right now pray for that special person. Also, ask the Holy Spirit to help you to do creative things to reach out to him/her.
#2. Who is the closest person you work with who does not personally know Jesus Christ? Right now pray for that person. Also, ask the Holy Spirit to help you do creative things to reach out to him/her.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, today I commit myself afresh to the high calling you have given me because I am your child. I am overwhelmed when I consider that You have chosen me, and that You have made me Your special possession. I want to do all I can to reach my city for You. Fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit and use me for Your honor and glory to see people come to personally know You as their Savior, Lord and King. AMEN!