April 27, 2011

Who are we? {Part 3}

Yikes.  Sorry it's taken me so long to post again.  I really need some prayers concerning time management!  Lord, help me to seek You first!  Thank You for Your grace and for speaking through me as I type out this post.  On to Part 3.  :o)

In Part 1 of this series on 1 Peter 2:9, we learned that we are a chosen race.

In Part 2, we learned that we are a royal priesthood.

Today, we'll focus on the fact that we are a holy nation.  What does that mean for our identity as Christians?

This "holy nation" idea was by no means a new idea when Peter wrote this verse.  If you read Exodus 19:3-6, God Himself called Moses and the Israelites a holy nation.  He calls them this right before He gives Moses the Ten Commandments and other parts of the Law. 

You've probably heard that "holy" means "set apart," usually for some special purpose.  By calling His people "holy," God was setting them apart from all the other peoples of the earth.  He gave them the Law so they would know that their holiness could only come through Him, and also so they would know how to walk that holiness out.  That meant being different from everyone else, from the food that they ate to the way they bathed, and from the holidays they celebrated to the pastimes from which they abstained.  It meant performing multiple sacrifices a year, whether for giving thanks, commemorating an event, or confessing a sin.  And it meant being united under Him; that's where the "nation" part comes in.  While they were to be separate from everyone else, God called His people to also be united in a single purpose:  to obey His voice and keep His covenant (see verse 5 of Exodus 19).  In other words, to bring Him glory

God set the bar high for His holy nation given the depth and complexities of His Law (just keep reading past Exodus 19 and you'll see what I mean!), and in His sovereignty He knew that there was no way imperfect humans could ever fulfill the Law within their own power.  As hard as they tried, the Israelites fell short of His glory time and time again, and we do the same today (see Romans 3:23).  That's where Jesus comes in.  He served as the ultimate sacrifice, cleansing everyone's sin once and for all, and ushering in a new covenant that focuses more on forgiveness than performance.

Although we live under this new covenant and are free from much of the confines of the Law from the old covenant, we are still called to be a "holy nation" today.  What does that mean for us?  It means being different and set apart from everyone else by walking in God's will and reflecting His glory.  Others may call you "strange," "radical," or "boring" based on how you live out this purpose.  It may mean giving up certain things in order to focus more attention on God and others.  In everything, however, "set apart" simply means living by God's standards instead of the world's standards. 

Let's not forget the "nation" part.  We are also called to be united in our mission to be set apart.  Kind of a paradox, isn't it?  What else would you expect from a God who strikes to heal (Isaiah 19:22), or whose Son left the riches and glory of Heaven to be born in a lowly stable and live the simple life of a carpenter before beginning His ministry?  God often works within the paradox and the least expected.  Just another example of how His thoughts are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:9)!  Though we're called to be set apart, we're also called to work together.  Though we were created to be different, we're called to be "perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Corinthians 1:10).  That means that we Christians were not set apart in order to look out for our own interests, but to serve and to fellowship with other Christians as a unique and "holy nation."

This part of our identity can be difficult to carry out in the world we live in today.  The anonymity of online social networking, the distractions of a more hurried pace in life, and the existence of numerous denominations within the Christian faith can potentially compromise our ability (and really, our desire) to enjoy united fellowship with other believers and to truly live our lives as set apart for Christ.  We were meant to be holy, and we were meant to be a nation.  Set apart, yet united together for Him.  What does that mean for your identity, and for your life?  Please pray that God will begin to reveal to you your place in His holy nation.  Come to Him with open hands for whatever He wishes to give you, or to take away.  And ask Him for His help in living out your identity in Him.

April 13, 2011

Who are we? {Part 2}

For Part 1 of this series on identity, go here.

Thanks for coming back for Part 2!  First, let's read the focus verse of this series again:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
1 Peter 2:9

Today we're going to delve into the idea that we are a royal priesthood, an idea that was made into a reality with Jesus' death and resurrection.

So what does it mean to be in a royal priesthood?  First, let's hone in on that word royal.  When I see that word, I think of a kingdom.  Kings and queens also come to mind, along with "royal family" and reigning with power.  Guess what?  If you're a child of God and have trusted Him to be the Lord of your life, you're part of His royal family.  He reigns over you with love and mercy (along with some loving discipline when needed!), but unlike an earthly king who usually has strict and limited opportunities for an audience, you're allowed free access to your Heavenly King and you have His undivided attention.  And as Christians we're destined to reign with Him as well, because we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus.  As John writes in the book of Revelation:  "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign over the earth" (5:10).

So what does it mean to be in a priesthood?  Think about the priesthood of the Old Testament.  They were all Levites, descended from a special bloodline.  According to Exodus 40:15, they were qualified for the priesthood by both their bloodline and an anointing.  They had sacred duties within the temple and were in charge of performing sacrifices on behalf of the rest of the people.  Just one priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies (the shrouded place where God's presence rested), and only once a year.  Priests interceded for the people and served as a "go-between" when others needed atonement for sins they had committed.

According to the book of Hebrews, these priests were replaced by Jesus when He rose from the grave and established a new covenant with His "permanent priesthood" (7:23-25).  His death was the ultimate sacrifice that was a once-and-for-all covering for mankind's sin.  Through the Holy Spirit, we're allowed constant access to God's presence without a shroud and without the limitations of a singular location like the holy of holies.  He was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power (Acts 10:38), and He continuously intercedes for all of God's children (Hebrews 7:25).  Much better than a human "go-between," right?

Where is our place in this permanent priesthood?  The Bible says we are to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and make Him our ultimate example on how to live and how to walk out our faith.  We have also been anointed by God (1 John 2:20), and as His anointed we are called to carry out sacred duties for His kingdom.  These sacred duties are the "spiritual sacrifices" mentioned earlier in 1 Peter 2 (verse 5), and can be things like intercession, serving others, leaning on God through hardship, studying His word, seeking intimacy with Him, evangelizing, sharing words of knowledge with others, exercising our spiritual gifts, etc.  Basically whatever Jesus did during His stay here on earth.  These spiritual sacrifices have been made acceptable to God through His example, and so we are called to do them as well.

In Part 1, we learned that we are chosen.  Reading further, we realize that we are chosen to be part of a royal priesthood.  Not because of who we are or what family we are born into (much like how a royal family or a bloodline of priests operates), but because of who God is and our willingness to let Him rule first and foremost in our lives.  The next time you find yourself struggling with your identity, remember:  You are part of a royal priesthood that will last forever.  If the identity you're trying to live in doesn't allow for this kind of reality, toss it for your true identity!  :o)

Stay tuned for Part 3!
 

April 11, 2011

Who are we? {Part 1}

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
1 Peter 2:9

Identity is so important in the life of a Christian.  Life just seems to make more sense when we know who we are and what we're called to do.  Unfortunately, many times we find ourselves taking on the wrong identities and getting lost within them.  These false identities can have many origins, including:

  • Our ancestors or family history.  "Everyone in my family has struggled with alcoholism, so it's just a matter of time until I do too."
  • Our circumstances.  "Things are so hard at my job right now; maybe I'm just not smart enough to cut it."
  • The words of others.  "My friend told me to cut back on the desserts; I guess I'm just fat."
  • The words we speak over ourselves.  "I keep falling back into the same pattern of sin over and over; God must be so frustrated with me....I'm really not worthy of His love."
  • The words God speaks over us.  "You are my servant, I have chosen you and have not rejected you" (Isaiah 41:9).
Depending on the sources, we can take on a variety of labels in no time at all, strap them onto our backs, and carry them with us down the road of life.  Labels like Stupid, Fat, Lazy, Drug Addict, Weird, Boring, Negative, Self-Absorbed, Criminal, or Worthless can quickly weigh us down and prevent us from living the calling that God has for us.  Only labels that are given by God speak of our true identity in Him.  We are Loved, Special, Chosen, God's Own Possession, More Than Conquerors, Created for His Glory, Saved by His Mercy, and Destined for Eternal Life (to name a few).  These labels help drive us on in our journey instead of weighing us down, for His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).  [Keep in mind that godly people can speak God's identity over us and help us discover who we are in Him.  As long as He is the source of their words and they are speaking them out of love and obedience, we need not immediately discount them just because they came other people!]

So, in order to live a life of victory, it's vital that we learn who we are as children of God and walk in that identity everyday.  Doing so will help us recognize false labels the world may throw at us in order that we may deflect them and leave them on the ground where they fall. 

The Bible is full of examples of our true identity, and contains many spiritual role models who lived out that identity, such as Abraham, Moses, David, Joshua, Caleb, the prophets, Peter, Paul, and most importantly, Jesus.  One verse that helps label at least some of our identity is 1 Peter 2:9, which is found at the beginning of this post.  Let's concentrate on each label one by one, starting with the subject of today's focus: 
A CHOSEN RACE.

I recently wrote a post about this very thingKnowing and believing with conviction that you are chosen is an excellent place to start in determining your identity; perhaps that's why Peter named it first in his list.  If we're not chosen, than there's not much else to base our identity on.  Think about it.  If coming to know God just happened by chance, or we somehow stumbled upon Him, would it really be that important to know who we are in Him?  We'd probably just wonder if God did everything at random and without thought, including molding and shaping us into His image.

Deuteronomy 10:15 says that God sets His affection on the people He chooses.  I love that thought.  The word "sets" implies that He gives His love with intention and purpose, and the word "affection" sort of goes beyond love in a way, doesn't it?  Kind of like loving your grandmother because she's family, but also having affection for her because of what she means to you.  It's the same way with God.  He loves us because we are His children, but He has set His affection on us because He has chosen us.

Pray that God will begin to show you who you are in Him and what He has called you to do.  Ask for Him to remove any false and burdensome labels that have weighed you down, and to help you recognize when another one is trying to latch onto you.  We were made for so much more than we realize, and we were chosen by God in order that He may show us what that "more" is.  Stay tuned for Part 2, and thanks for reading!  :o)

April 4, 2011

everyday idolatry

"Those who fashion a graven image are all of them futile, and their precious things are of no profit."
~Isaiah 44:9

In the middle of the forty-fourth chapter of Isaiah, the prophet really speaks out on the dangers of idolatry.  Many people in his time were fashioning their own household idols out of materials like wood and iron, and so were forsaking the only God who could actually save their souls.

I know what you're thinking, and no, I'm not accusing you of regularly chopping down trees and putting together some do-it-yourself idols (although if Lowe's had been around in Isaiah's time, who knows, maybe they would have had some kind of section for that!).  But the fact is, many things in our life can easily ensnare us and become idols as bad as the ones made by our ancestors so long ago.

So what makes something an idol?  Here's what I gathered from this section in Isaiah:

  • An idol can be the result of some hard work or effort on your part.  In verses 12 and 13, Isaiah describes all of the labor that people engaged in in order to make an idol.  Whether they used iron or wood, making an idol usually involved "working over the coals,"  "working with a compass," and using things like "hammers," a "strong arm," and "a measuring line."  In fact, so much work is put into them that the man in verse 12 becomes hungry and weak!  Believe me, I appreciated a job well done; I feel accomplished after I finish a big project, especially if there are visual results that I can stand back and admire.  And really, there's nothing wrong with that.  But if our hard work takes us away from God, and causes us to depend on our own efforts rather than God's help, that project can quickly become an idol.
  • The origin of an idol can usually be traced back to some sort of pride.  At the end of verse 13, the idol the man shapes out of wood takes on the "form of a man, like the beauty of man."  Even if this idol doesn't resemble the man himself, can you see the pride that went into the creation of that idol?  He was either worshiping man's appearance in general, or else worshiping a particular person who served as the inspiration for that idol.  We often aspire to be like others, or to look up to them for mentoring, but we should be careful that they don't become objects of worship. Even if you think your pride isn't the root of an idol, remember, pride can wear many disguises.  It can masquerade as false humility or simply just trusting your own judgment rather than God's.
  • All idols are perishable and/or replaceable.  In verses 14 through 17, a man plants a tree and then uses half of it for firewood, and the other half for fashioning an idol.  He doesn't realize that his idol is useless, being made from the same perishable wood from the tree he planted himself.  Since he is satisfied by the warmth of the fire and the sustenance of the food he cooks over it, he never stops to think about whether God had anything to do with it.  Who knows, maybe these comforts are what drove him to make the idol out of the other half of the tree, and then bowing down to it rather than to God.  Anything you put before God, whether unknowingly or willingly, will not last.  If you're worshiping a person, they will let you down sooner or later, and we will all die at some point.  Anything you or someone else has made with their hands won't last either; it could rust or fall apart or be stolen or be burned.  And even though your time is intangible, it can also perish.  
  • Idols can offer temporary satisfaction and comfort, but CANNOT save you.  We've already seen an example of this with the man and his tree, but let me just drive this point home.  Idols often look attractive to us because of what they have to offer, and they may come through for us for a little while.  But they can't save our souls.  And they can't help us walk in that abundant life that God has promised to all of His children (in fact, they often hinder it).
  • Worshiping idols can lead to hardened hearts.  Take a look at the sobering message in verses 18 through 20.  The idol worshipers have eyes and hearts that have been "smeared over" by God, meaning they can't see or understand what they're doing.  They don't see that their idols are just perishable man-made junk.  They don't see that they're living in sin.  And they don't understand how deceived they are and how their idol worship has turned them away from God ("a deceived heart has turned him aside," verse 20).  What does this mean for us?  It means that like these men, we too can easily deny that we have any idols in our lives.  While our idols probably won't take on the form of wood or iron, they are still a very real presence in all of our lives.  Finding out what they are and how to get rid of them is critical for saving our souls and guarding our hearts.
So examine your heart and your life.  Ask God to help you pinpoint any areas where idol worship is apparent, even if it's just the start of something (since it can easily and quickly snowball into something much more serious).  Is there a certain TV show or book that interferes with your time with Him?  Is there a certain person who occupies your heart and your thoughts more than He does?  Is there a certain hobby or pastime you hold as more dear than Him?  One thing I've noticed about myself lately is how I spend my time.  I find I covet "MY TIME" too much.  When my son goes down for a nap, I often run to other things rather than spending that time with God.  None of the things I run to are necessarily bad on their own, but when they are placed as higher than God, then they become a problem.

So burn those idols and sit at the feet of the One who was not fashioned by human hands, and whose love endures forever!