A HOLY NATION

“Therefore, it is also contained in the Scripture, "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS, AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM WILL BY NO MEANS BE PUT TO SHAME." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED HAS BECOME THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE," and "A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE." They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:6-10 NKJV

The apostle Peter refers to Exodus 19:5-6, applying it in a different way. He speaks to Christians scattered all over the Roman Empire. He reminded them that they were saved out of the aimless conduct and traditions of their forefathers (1Pet.1:18), and that before their salvation they were not a people belonging to God (1Pet.2:10). He reminded them that they had lived as the Gentiles but to now stop being double-minded and start living as Christians, to be holy and loving one another (1Pet.4:3-8). "You are chosen people, a royal priesthood, a Holy Nation". All believers from whatever background are 'the body of Christ', the Church, the Holy Nation, God’s own family. By faith we are all Abraham’s children now (Gal.3:28-29; Rom.4:16), and in a sense, we are also commanded by God to ‘leave our country, our people and our father’s house,’ in order to become citizens of the Holy Nation. This Holy Nation is a very special nation because it is made up of people who love God from every ethnic group (Rev.5:9-10).

In Christ, we have a new identity as beloved sons and daughters, adopted into His family (Gal.4:4-9). Our ethnicity forms a significant part of our identity. Because of conflict, war and migration, we become identified with either an oppressor or a victim, or we may feel we are inferior or superior. People of mixed race often suffer, feeling that they do not belong anywhere. God’s purpose is to heal our identity. If we do not understand the bigger picture of God’s plan for the Holy Nation, then we focus on our own nation and continue to live out of our natural identity with its woundedness, pride, etc. instead of living out of the new identity of royal citizens of God's Holy Nation where everyone is equally valued. We become proud, wanting to impose our supposed superiority on others and blind to the weaknesses and shortcomings of our group, unable to discern the good or bad, within our culture. We fail to appreciate other cultures, ethnic groups or races, to see them as equally valid and valuable. If we have grown up in a people group that was oppressed and have experienced wounding and lack of acceptance, we tend to develop a feeling of inferiority. We compensate by making an idol of our own race, nation or culture. All our energy goes into promoting or gaining equality for our own group. We end up becoming the oppressor ourselves. This tends to happen whenever we have not availed ourselves of God’s grace for healing and forgiveness. – Healing hearts, transforming nations. Rhiannon Lloyd.

PRAYER POINTS

ME: Just like Abraham we all have to respond to God's call to become part of His new Holy Nation. Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. If you have never 'left your country, your family and your father's house' to follow Jesus, then do it today. (Gen.12:1).

US: God's calling to be holy as He is holy (1Pet.1:15-18) is not debatable. He commands all who call themselves Christians, who are part of His Holy Nation, to be set apart from all other nations. The Church has to decide to either obey God or to disobey Him. Pray for the Church to stop being double-minded and to turn to God with their whole heart. Pray that the Church will sing the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

THEM: Jesus prayed that the world will know that the Father sent Him, when we are one. But He also warned us that the world will hate us. Pray that the Church will be a faithful witness as being God's own special people, and that unbelievers will want to know Christ.

Remember your John 17 memory verse.

"Lord, let my life align with my identity as A PECULIAR PERSON, displaying Your Praise, reflecting Your Glory, in Jesus name." - Adetokunbo O. Ilesanmi