MEDITATIONS
FROM PETER’S EPISTLES
May 23 , 2007
Reading
"But you are a … Holy Nation” 1 Peter 2:9
These scriptures belong to that
solemn and tragic announcement that that which was to have been the inheritance
and vocation of
“The
That nation, according to Peter, is a Holy Nation, a nation made up of
those who have been redeemed, not with corruptible things like silver or gold,
but with the precious blood of Christ – 1
Peter 1:18-19. Peter speaks of
the purpose of this Holy Nation as to “proclaim the praises of Him who has
called you out of darkness into His glorious light.” This correlates with the
words of Jesus as “bearing the fruits of it.”
The Holy Nation, the church which Jesus said He would build, is called
upon to be Holy.
“But as He who called you is holy, you also
be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” 1 Peter
The word holy is all important. The same word is translated
‘sanctified’ and ‘set apart’. It is also the word from which the word ‘saint’
is derived. The church is something that belongs to God. It is something that
is separated from everything that is contrary to God. It is His prize
possession. It is that for which Jesus died – Ephesians 5:25.
“The whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” 1 John 5:19. God looked down and saw that all men had gone astray and moved to
extricate from that sinful world a people of a different kind. The entire
scriptures make much of the people of God being separated from that in which
they find themselves and separated unto God. When God called Abraham, He said, "Get
out of your country, from your family and from your father's house” Genesis 12:1. He called and equipped Moses to lead His people out of
At the very core of the church is separation. “You cannot serve God and
mammon.” “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.” “Be separate,
says the Lord.”
“Christ also loved the church and gave
Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of
water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not
having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and
without blemish” Ephesians 5:25-27.
O, Lord, the world is artful to
entrap, approaches in fascinating guise, extends many a gilded bait, presents
many a charming face. Let my faith scan every painted bauble, and escape every
bewitching snare in a victory that overcomes all things. In my duties give me
firmness, energy, zeal, devotion to Thy cause, courage in Thy name, love as a
working grace, and all commensurate with my trust. A Puritan
Prayer