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. 1 Peter 2:9
How are we, as Christians, to walk as the light when darkness is so prevalent in our culture? Growing up in the Christian faith, I had an understanding of the spiritual world. I knew that good versus evil exists and that spirits are very real. It wasn’t until I started pursuing God on a deeper level and serving in the church, that my conviction to live a holier life grew. The closer you become to your Heavenly Father, the more distaste you’ll have for the things of this world. Not because anyone is forcing you but because you are so in love with Christ, that the thought of entertaining anything that conflicts with His holy nature is no longer acceptable.
Although God had been speaking to me, in various ways, it wasn’t until I made a personal choice to rid myself of anything that didn’t glorify Him, that my attitude began to shift. God was calling me higher in my walk; He was calling my entire family, because we are all children of the most-high, God.
I was a Christian that participated in many things that did not glorify God and, while He loved me through it all, at some point I had to make a decision to elevate from old habits. Jesus came to die for our sins. Even when we sin, we still have access to Him, and forgiveness through Him; but we aren’t to stay in our sin. Because He died for us—something must change. One can never truly encounter Christ and stay the same! If we do, it wasn’t a true encounter. Maybe you got the goosebumps or the feelings, but those are temporary. God’s change is internal and eternal.
At some point, your old self must die in order to live made new in the image of the King. “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.” Just this verse alone, indicates that God is calling us higher. He calls us chosen, royal, HIS. He delivered us from darkness and called us into light! What a powerful declaration to live by! And, that is just one of many depositions in the Bible about your worth. I urge you to be in prayer this week. Ask God for deeper insight into the aspects you wrestle with. Ask Him what needs to change, what He’s calling you into and out of and how to better reflect His holiness.
May our love for God be so great that the desires of this world hold no weight. May we live holy lives that are pleasing to Him.