Mission as God’s Chosen People

1 Peter 1:1–2 

Think back to those days on the school playground. Skipping ropes, tag and ‘stuck in the mud’. Some children imitating famous pop stars, while others gather to select teams for the lunchtime football match. The best players are chosen first, before the captains reluctantly select from an increasingly disheartened few, each of whom long to avoid being left to last.

Chosen before creation

Praise God that our experience as believers is markedly different! Peter addresses his letter to God’s elect who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Chosen not as a reluctant last pick, but before the creation of the world! (Eph. 1:4). Chosen to be His. Chosen to be recipients of His vast and immeasurable love.

Chosen for atonement

As God’s people, we are chosen to be sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. During those lunchtime football matches, a heavy clash of heads would sometimes lead to a cut or bust lip, with blood trickling onto an increasingly scruffy school uniform.

But being sprinkled with the blood of Jesus is far more deliberate and far more significant! On Good Friday, the blood of Jesus was poured out on the cross. The blood of the covenant was shed for many for the forgiveness of sins. God’s chosen people are marked and cleansed with the blood of the Son, purifying us from every stain of sin. In Christ, we are restored. No more guilt. No more shame. Hallelujah!

Chosen for glory

We are also chosen to be obedient. Chosen to follow the pattern set by Jesus – to live life in service to God our King. We are chosen for the wonderful task of bringing honour and praise to His name. We are chosen for glory. We are not there yet – this is all achieved by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, who makes us more and more like Christ as we behold His glory (2 Cor. 3:18). But just as God chose us and successfully made atonement for us, he will not fail to make us increasingly like Christ!

Mission as God’s chosen people

What does it look like to bring honour and praise to God? It starts where we are. It starts as we repent of old ways and begin walking the narrow way to eternal life, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven (Matt. 7:14, 5:16). But it doesn’t end there. As we continue to behold God’s glory, we cannot help see that all creation should share in our praise and worship. All the earth must praise His name; every land, every nation.

We are chosen to obey, to follow in the footsteps of the Christ who died for us and who commands us people to make disciples of every nation. May the Spirit give us eyes to behold God’s glory, and a heart which longs to see every nation praising His name!

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