But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 PETER 2: 9 – 10).
The word “Church” today has undergone a lot of metamorphosis in its scope of definition encompassing financial through physical to spiritual dimensions. In some instances, it refers to the building in which the children of God meet for regular worship, while at the same time it refers to the people themselves who make up the body of Christ. A study of the bible, the constitution of every believer and the word of God, gives us insight as to who or what the Church is as God sees it.
If we go by the definition of a people chosen and called out by God exclusively for Himself (Exodus 6: 7), then church would refer to the children of Israel alone from inception but with the coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ this changed. Ephesians 3: 6, Romans 8: 15; 11: 17.
In John 17: 1, the bible says “Jesus looked to heaven to pray and said “Father the hour has come”; but then what hour was He talking about? Ponder on this for now. The emtotional setting herein shows a deep feeling that goes a long way. It is the feeling a guardian has when he is about to be separated from his wards or loved ones and left to an unknown fate and on their way to an uncertain future. “Would all be well? Would they make it there or not?” are usually the unexpressed questions. Like every loved one or parent does, Jesus committed us all to the Father’s care for safe keeping till another time when hopefully we would re-unite. (John 17: 11).
However, He was very specific whom He was emotionally labouring in anguish for (John 17: 9). These are those who had received the word given; His followers, His children, His disciples as defined in John 8: 32. These are the ones called Christians.
Every abiding child of God today has been called out from darkness into His light, and we are admonished in Ephesians 4: 1 to lead a life worthy of the calling to which we have been called. This implies that we should stand out and be exemplary. Matthew 5: 14 says “we are the Light of the world”, wherever you are everyone sees you because you stand out and are distinctly different, not shades of grey.
The collection of these abiding, God-focused Holy Spirit-filled individuals is called the church (Romans 12: 5, Colossians 1: 18 & 24), the body of Christ, and it is to these ones that 1 Peter 2: 9 – 10 refers. And we are called out for one purpose – to proclaim the mighty acts of God, and He will show us mercy. Therefore if you are a member of the church – the people called out – whatever you do, wherever you are, regardless of your company, situation or circumstances, should glorify God and He will not disappoint you.
Have a week of confident trust as you faithfully live for the One who has called you to be different from the multitude.
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
S.Igein Isemede