We live in a world that promotes different classes and categories of people. For example, the polished vs the unpolished or even the best vs the best of the best. This kind of thinking can lead one to conclude, if you are highly gifted, successful and wealthy, you are especially blessed and a cut above the rest.
The origin of this type of thinking can be traced back to distorted beliefs that are deeply rooted in lies that we may have been believing for so long, that they can actually feel true to us.
To name a couple of these lies; your self worth equals your net worth, or God loves you because you are valuable. I would like to propose for consideration, that this way of thinking does not originate from our God's mind or heart at all.
In fact, the scripture clearly states that God shows no partiality and is no respecter of persons,
James 2:1-9. The bible also tells us that our identity in Christ is where we derive our worth and that we are valuable because God loves us! In other words, our worth and value is from God, not from us, nor is it dependant upon our deserving it.
Why? Because believers in the Church Age are under grace and are called a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. Peter called Christians “a holy priesthood” 1Peter 2:5 and “a royal priesthood” 2:9; Rev. 1:6.
Christians are a special people because God has preserved them for Himself. One of God’s purposes in choosing believers for Himself is so that they may declare the praises of Him before others. “Praises” could also be translated “eminent qualities,” “excellencies,” or “virtues”.
Phil. 4:8; 1Peter 2:9; 2Peter 1:3,5.
We as Believer-priests are able to live so that our heavenly Father’s qualities are evident in our lives. We are privileged to serve as witnesses of the glory and grace of God, who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. We have the amazing opportunity to experience Father living His life in and through us for the whole world to see, in hope that many would come to know Jesus as their life!
In 1Peter 2:10, he explained this with a quote from Hosea 2:23. “Darkness” refers to the time when his readers were pagans, ignorant of God’s provision of salvation Col. 1:13, when they were not a people, when they had not received mercy. His “wonderful light” now illumines the people of God because they have received mercy.
So no matter what the world, the devil or the flesh may entice you to believe, you are not and never will be a second-class child of God!
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light!"
