Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 0-010

Rowland Croucher

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You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people… 1 Peter 2:9.

Who of us – in our more honest moments – doesn’t wish to be a better person? Who of us doesn’t want to know what we could be if only we lived up to the highest calling of which we were capable? The word the Bible uses for these sorts of aspirations is ‘holiness’. God’s people in the Old Testament – Israel – was to be ‘a holy people’. So is the church – you and I – today.

Let’s imagine a little group of Christians – nobodies really – living in a small town in Asia Minor. Some ran small businesses, some worked for the government, many were slaves. A group has just been baptised – and each of these new converts knew what that could mean: persecution, perhaps ostracism from their families, even death for ‘the Name’. And the preacher at their first communion service reminds them who they are, and what sort of people they are meant to become.

‘You belong to the great God who made everything, and who is the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Israel of old was very special to God. They were a chosen race, an elect nation, the King’s priests. So are you – even more so! You are sons and daughters of the most high God. So with these incredible privileges what sort of people should you be in this pagan world?’

A good question, Lord. Remind me of who I am ‘in Christ’. Amen.

Shalom!

Rowland Croucher <>