Sunday’s sermon was on “Sainthood”. In 1 Peter, we are given an identity check:
“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.”                 (1 Peter 2:9-10).
Here we are told:
- who we are – a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God
- what we are to be – holy.
- how we are this – in & through the work of Christ
To be holy means that we are being set apart for a purpose. There should be something that distinguishes us from all others. So the question becomes….
What does it mean to live like a saint?
- We understand the work that God has done for us. “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” (Romans 3:22 NIV). God does the work in us not we of ourselves. We are simultaneously saint & sinner.
- Reflect God’s work in our lives. “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV). We are to let our vocations, those things that we do each & every day, be the avenue in which we share our story & meet the needs of others.
- Remind ourselves of God’s Presence in our life. There is never a time that God is not active in our life. We must learn to recognize Him in the day. “But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24). That word, “consider” in the Hebrew means, “to understand intellectually, examine, investigate” (Old Testament Lexical Aids). We are to think about Him & focus on Him so that we come to recognize Him at work in our day.
Remember: we are already what Christ has made us & we are what He is making us.
Sainthood: It is a past, current & continuous work in our lives.
