The media is full of stories about racial tension all around the world. As followers of Jesus, we must remember that we are special people chosen by the Lord.
1 Peter 2:9 [NKJV] (emphasis added)
“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:”
1 Peter 2:9 [AMP] (emphasis added)
“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A
CONSECRATED NATION, A [special] PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you
may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections]
of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
The Greek definition of generation
or race (Greek genose) has other
meanings such as family, kindred, offspring, tribe, or of the same nature, kind,
or sort. Spiritually, Jesus’ blood was given to create new eternal beings, a
new race on the earth.
In the above scripture, Peter tells us who we are:
- Chosen race – a new creation (Acts 26:17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15)
- Royal priesthood - calling, ministry, office, role (Romans 12:4-9, 2 Corinthians 4:1, Jude 1:1)
- Consecrated - holy, sacred, sanctified, set apart nation (1 Corinthians 1:2)
- Special people for God’s possession (we belong to the Lord) (Hebrews 10:14, Titus 2:14)
The issue is who do we identify with
after we accept Jesus Christ as Savior? Are we holding onto racist traditions?
Are we afraid to go against our family or culture to accept others who are different
from us? Do we believe in mainstream stereotypes about different cultures? We
must answer these questions truthfully and make the necessary changes to have the
right relationship with the Father and His chosen sons and daughters from every
nation.
Citizens of the Kingdom of God tell the world of the Lord’s
praises (wonderful deeds, virtues, and perfections). We dwell in the light of
the Lord and not in the darkness of this world.
1 John 1:7 [NKJV] (emphasis added)
“But
if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship
with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us
from all sin.”
Ephesians 4:4-6 [AMP]
“There
is one body [of believers] and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope
when called [to salvation]—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
of us all who is [sovereign] over [us] all and [working] through all and
[living] in all.”
The Greatest
Commandments
Luke 10:25-37 NKJV (emphasis
added)
“And behold, a certain
lawyer stood up and tested Him [Jesus], saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?” He [Jesus] said to him [the lawyer], “What is written in
the law? What is your reading [of it]?” So he [the lawyer] answered and said, “‘You
shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all
your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’ “
And He [Jesus] said to
him [the lawyer], “You have answered rightly; do this, and you will live.” But
he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus answered
and said: “A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among
thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded [him], and departed, leaving
[him] half dead.
“Now, by chance, a
certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the
other side. “Likewise, a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked,
and passed by on the other side.
“But a certain
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had
compassion. “So he went to [him] and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and
wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of
him.
“On the next day, when
he departed, he took out two denarii, gave [them] to the innkeeper, and said to
him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will
repay you.’
“So which of these
three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he [the
lawyer] said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do
likewise.”
Song to Share: TobyMac - Starts With Me with Aaron Cole