Hey Everyone, I was thinking the other day about the difference between being a follower of Jesus and other religions. While the differences are many one that always stands out to me is the personal life transformation that takes place inside a person who’s come to faith in Jesus Christ. Through the Gospel, Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, we’re given direct access to God as the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us. The Holy Spirit is the one who transforms us from the inside out. No longer do I live trying to “do” better, I “am” better because of who God says I am and what he’s doing inside me to transform me into the image of Jesus.

God giving me a new identity through Jesus is the power that drives me to live a glorifying life for Jesus! It’s to that end I want to point our attention. What God says about us gives us the power to change for the better. Let’s consider one scripture as an example of who God says we are!  

Let’s consider 1 Peter 2:6-9 which says For it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame…The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone…A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense…But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What’s Peter saying? God through Peter speaks directly to us today. His words have specific meanings for each of his children. We should read as though Peter is writing a personal letter to us. What he’s saying is at one time we all were not part of God’s family, we were not in his house, and we were not on his side. But now because of who Jesus is and what he’s done there’s a new truth about who we are!!

The truth of transformation Peter describes here can ONLY be true because of Jesus. This is his Gospel, his good news. I am what I am by the GRACE of God, grace that ONLY comes through Jesus. Because God declares it in his word this message is true regardless of whether I believe it or not; the trouble is if I don’t believe it then I’ll live as though it’s not true!!

Jesus was sent from God as a chosen and honored cornerstone in the new temple of God he’s building for himself. God’s building a new house occupied by a new family. Jesus is the chief cornerstone of that house. Those of us who’ve tasted and seen the Lord is good are residents of that house with a new relationship; we’re his family.

Some will reject Jesus; he’ll be the stone that crushes them. However, for us who believe the Gospel, have repented of our sins, and accepted his gift of salvation, we’re transformed into new creatures, new people. We’re his chosen people, we’re a royal priesthood, part of a holy nation, people who belong to God’s family as he’s saved us from ourselves and eternal damnation. He brings us out of darkness, into his marvelous light.

In verse 9 Peter makes bold declarations about us; ultimately, he says we are special! These declarations are true because God says them not Claude, not Jake, not Billy Graham, not some preacher on TV, not THE Ohio State University, not my mom, not anyone in your family…God the one who said let there be light and “boom” there it was, says this is who you are!!What are the declarations God makes about us?

First, God declares us to be chosen by him…we are his special choice. Just as I go to the banana display at Kroger, all those bunches laid out, they’re all bananas – there's no difference. I look, smell, touch and select a specific bunch, put them in my cart, pay for them, take them home, and they’re mine. God looked at the billions of people on this earth, and he selected me just another person in the mass of humanity! He paid the price for me, put me in his cart and took me home…I am his. I don’t want to get distracted by men’s theology the battle between God’s sovereignty vs. free will of man stuff…the point here is God chose me. I don’t have a clue as to why I’m his choice, but I’m overwhelmed at the thought! You are his special choice!

Also, God declares us to be Royalty…we are special princes and princesses. As part of his royal family, we have a special status and a special responsibility. The enemy can’t take that status away, he didn’t give it, and he can’t take it. We’re protected and safe in God’s family. We’ve got royal blood flowing through our veins; we represent our Father’s kingdom wherever we go just as Prince William represents England wherever he goes, that dictates his behavior. You are his special royalty!

God declares us to be a priests…we hold a special office. In the Old Testament there were three offices, prophet, priest and king. The king ruled the people in God’s place; the prophet took the words of God and transmitted them to the people; the priest accepted the worship, prayer and offerings of the people and brought them to God. God says we’re priests in his kingdom; we’re dedicated to the worship of Jesus. He is glorious; he is amazingly wonderfully complex, beautiful and without equal. We have life through worship! You hold a special office!

God declares us members of a Holy Nation…we are special citizens. When I’ve traveled to India or Uganda or Israel while I’m many things one thing, I am is an American. The people I met knew I was American and had a predetermined expectation of what I believe, what I have, how I think, how I should behave. While it’s not my intention to represent America, wherever I go outside of this country I’m representing America, not by what I do but by WHO I am…I’m an America by birth not by deed. In the same way I’m a “Holy Nation citizen” by birth. That’s my identity…where I go, what I do, how I talk, think and act represents the Holy nation of which I’m a citizen. You are a special citizen!

When we consider being a follower of Jesus verses following any other religious discipline, we have to admit being a member of God’s family is a pretty special identity. God says you’re special to him. It’s true whether you feel it, believe it, live it or whatever…let’s remember who we are and live like it! Make a difference in someone’s life today for Jesus and his Kingdom!