"In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." - 1 Peter 1:3-5
As I read these passages this morning, the image of the Jews scattered among the nations came to mind. And the promise that they would be brought back together one day. Then I thought about the children of Spiritual Israel - those who have been born again by faith. Many are not naturally, ethnic Jews - like me and most probably you - but we are children of the Promise to Abraham through Isaac. Spiritual Israel is bound together by the Spirit of God and founded on faith not works. One day we will be brought together with all Christians (Spiritual Israel) in heaven - every tribe and every nation. Those natural things - language, ethnicity, nationality - will fade and we all will be one "just as Jesus and the Father are one".
God chose the Jewish people, in the natural sense, to point the world to Jesus. They were set apart by their natural ethnicity, culture and heritage. That is their God-given responsibility and will be until Jesus returns. In a similar way, Christians - Christ followers - share in that responsibility to point the world the Jesus because of our spiritual ethnicity, culture and heritage.
"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." - Philippians 3:20-21
There are many Jews who are not "practicing Jews, meaning that they are ethnically Jewish but are not fulfilling their place and purpose by faith or works. In the same way, there are many Christians who are not "practicing Christians" meaning that they are spiritually Christians but are not fulfilling their place and purpose. The thought causes me to consider my life and my ways. It is good for us to reflect on the truths that Peter wrote about in 1st Peter.
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. " - 1 Peter 1:18-23, 2:1-3
Our challenge is to remember who we are in Christ and the life we have been called to live while we live on this planet and the hope that we have of eternal life.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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