Devotion for Monday, July 6, 2020
1 Peter 2:9, “a holy nation”
In addition to being a kingdom of priests, God also calls His people to be a holy nation. This is the second descriptor gleaned by Peter from Exodus 19:6. While seemingly synonymous with being a kingdom of priests, this marker actually carries with it a unique connotation. The priesthood of the believer points to the calling of His people to a special relationship that would represent God’s presence to the world. Being a Holy Nation highlights the fact that God’s people are set apart for holy living.
The call to be holy should remind us that God is, first and foremost, a holy God. He is transcendent in His righteousness. He cannot look upon sin, but must condemn it, judge it. The character of God and His holiness demonstrates the main purpose of His calling.
When God redeems and forgives, He calls us out of a world of darkness in bondage to sin to walk in His light and holiness. He rescues us from a position where it is impossible please God (Hebrews 11:6) to a place where we can walk in His word and accomplish His will. The call to righteousness is reiterated for the New Testament believer, when Peter quotes Leviticus 19:2, “as the One who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct, for it is written, ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
When you become a believer, you are indeed passing from death to life, from sinfulness to forgiveness, from the pit to redemption. However, the Lord is calling you primarily to sanctification. This word means that God is setting us apart from the world for holy living. Too often, our modern sensibilities focus on the benefits of salvation (and they are wonderful!). Forgiveness, redemption, eternal life, hope, faith, love. Nonetheless, we must also keep remain focused on the calling in our lives. God desires that we become more and more Christ-like in our daily lives.
Therefore, we are called to set ourselves apart from the world for holy living. This means that we strive daily to, “take off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires… [to] put on the new man, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” (Eph. 4:22-23). We are to reject worldliness and cling to what is good. James reminds us, “Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So, whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.” (James 4:4) Those are stark words and a call to action.
Today, God has called you to do ONE MAIN THING – to glorify Him in holiness. Seek to please your Creator in these ways:
· Your Speech: “let no unwholesome thing come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need.” (Eph. 4:29)
· Your Actions: “whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory” (1 Cor. 10:31)
· Your Attitude: “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:5)
Be holy as the Lord Jehovah is holy.
Joshua Moore
Pastor, Sharon First Baptist Church
Photo courtesy of unsplash.com
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