-
Peter tells us we are to rid ourselves of a lot of bad qualities. We are not to be people of malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, or slander. In a recent survey of young Americans who have left the church, the number one reason for leaving was perceived hypocrisy by older believers. We have been saved from a life of sin by the work of the cross, but we have a responsibility to grow in holiness and obedience, leaving behind our old patterns and habits. This is not a matter of “magic moments” that instantly cure us of malady, but a continuous pattern of walking in the Spirit and obeying God. Do I have these sins in my life? How do I identify sin and work to remove it from my life?
-
“I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice,” – Proverbs 8:20
-
-
Verse 6 quotes Isaiah 28. God promised that he would set the foundation of Israel’s life and future. Jesus was the fulfillment of this prophecy. In Isaiah 28:17, we read that justice is the measuring line and righteousness the mason’s level. How do you know your foundation is good and right? You check the measuring line and make sure it’s level. For Israel, and for us, we can check our lives against Jesus, our cornerstone. When we trace our life, do we find justice? When we examine what sets our central values and beliefs, do we find righteousness? We must continually check our lives against a reference. If we stray from our foundation, we build a life based on injustice and half- truths. How can we measure our lives? Is there a way to determine what our lives are built on?
-
“So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in him, being rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:6-7
-
-
We come to the great promise of 1 Peter 2:9. We are chosen, holy, a priesthood. The priesthood of the Old Testament was intended to minister and lead the people of Israel, serving only God. We are to do the same. We are called to proclaim the praises of God, remembering that we are no longer in darkness. As a new people whose King is God we are beacons of hope to a dark world. We should be a partisan people for the work of Jesus. Our priority and passions should be for Jesus and his glory. What takes my focus from the Lord? What keeps me from being a beacon of light for the King?
-
“He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” -Ephesians 1:20-21
-
For Further Study:
Read Isaiah 42:1-13. This beautiful prophecy speaks of Christ and God’s provision for his people.
For Prayer:
Pray for the people of Clermont that do not know him. Did you know that Clermont has grown 16% since 2020 and has nearly doubled in the last decade? God has brought many new people to our neighborhoods. How can we be a light to them?