Oct 10, 2016

Beyond the Privilege

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. (I Peter 2:9)

I’m not sure when the Church began viewing discipleship as an option in the Christian faith, kind of like a sunroof on a car or saddlebags on a motorcycle, just something “nice to have.” No matter how it started, it is a totally false! Discipleship is not an option, but a necessity for Christian maturity. The Bible is very clear that we have a definite direction, a goal, a calling toward which every believer is to strive. I Peter 2:9–10 states

9 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. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

In the Middle Ages, European lands were divided between and ruled by powerful lords. Each lord was defended by his knights and served by the peasants who farmed his land. The Lord’s manor was usually a mighty stone castle that protected his family and subjects. If the lord of the manor had a son, even though born into royalty, the son’s life was not a bed of roses (unless you count the thorns). He still had to endure the rigors of training in horsemanship, swordsmanship, and other assorted skills necessary for the future lord of the manor. He needed to learn the proper etiquette for his station in life and his academic studies exceeded anyone else in the kingdom. His life was a full life of preparation, for one day he would be called upon to step forward and live up to his royal calling.

The direction of our lives as Jesus’ disciples follows a similar course. As I Peter 2:9 declares, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. We must prepare for the responsibilities associated with being “a chosen people” and a “royal priesthood.”

Yes, being received into God’s family through our Lord Jesus Christ is a great privilege, but it comes with great responsibilities that require us to be involved in discipleship so we can be properly prepared! Get involved with a group that is studying God’s Word, applying it and holding each other accountable. Join other disciples of Jesus Christ and help one another on the journey.