Greetings in His Holy Name!
LOST THEIR NORMAL… As summer begins and the threat of COVID-19 diminishes, more and more Americans are anxious to reclaim some semblance of normal. Let’s face it, COVID and everything else associated with it in the last 15 months has created some lifestyle disciplines that are not entirely healthy. While the Apostle Peter’s circumstances were different, he had lived to see the Church scattered and displaced by many factors. Christians were living in an unfamiliar place.
NEW NORMAL… Christians had lost their normal, and the apostle Peter exhorts them to start with the WHO before the WHAT. “You are a chosen people. You are a royal priesthood. You are a Holy nation. You are a people who belong to God himself, that you may declare the praises of God who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) He is using Old Testament language to paint a picture of our new reality and identity. You need to understand who you are before you determine what to do with your new normal.
I’d like to briefly share with you three things you need to know about your new normal and identity…
1. You are special… God specifically chose you. You didn’t just happen to make the team due to a no-show. Scripture is clear that He first loved you. And He didn’t stop there. He has elevated you to be His priesthood to lead the way in declaring His praise. What is your credibility for this honor? He led you out of darkness and into His marvelous light. That’s all the cred you need. God believes in you and has a vested interest in you, resting in His favor and blessing. You’re chosen; you’re a royal priesthood, and you’re a citizen of a Holy Nation.
2. You are not alone. The word the apostle Peter uses for “you” in this text is plural. This means you are part of something much bigger than yourself. You’re probably getting tired of it, but I keep repeating this profound truth: you are not alone. Not just because we have the Holy Spirit, who’s always with us, but you are part of a dynamic family called God’s Church, a Holy Nation.
I’m reminded of the warning found in Hebrews 10:25: “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” If you’re to fully understand your identity and new normal, gathering with a local church family is not optional – it’s a must. You’re new normal is intertwined with God’s people. If you haven’t started back to in-person worship, now is a great time to start.
3. You belong to God. The apostle declared, “You’re a people that belong to God himself.” He’s got your back. Don’t allow your identity to come from a culture bent on deconstructing who you are in Jesus. Our sense of being comes from our sense of belonging. For the last several weeks, I’ve dedicated this blog to giving you some soul exercises which can help you place your identity in Christ. Don’t ever think you can go a couple of days without training for godliness. Soul exercises shape our thoughts and emotions around our identity in Christ.
One more time, let’s slowly read 1 Peter 2:9 and let’s personalize it: “I’m chosen. I’m part of a royal priesthood. I’m a citizen of God’s Holy nation. I am a person who belongs to God himself, that I may declare the praises of God who called me out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Start with the who before the do. Regardless of your condition, God has established your royal position on this planet.
This weekend join your local church family and participate in the worship by using your voice to declare the praises of God, who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. This is who you are. This is who I am. This is who we are. We are a Holy Nation.
Praying for you, and you are not alone!
Rick Lorimer
Lead Pastor
Christ Place Church
