But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Peter 2:9-12)
The Biblical understanding of salvation is that our lives become swept up into something larger and greater than ourselves, into God’s purposes for the world. In other words, the receiving of salvation and the call to mission are not to be conceived sequentially, as if one followed the other. Rather, to receive salvation is, to be called into something larger and greater that we are, to be invited to participate in God’s saving purpose and plan for the world. That is why the gospel is primarily about God, and only secondarily about us.
- Inagrace Dietrich (Storm Front)
Scripture:
• Spend some time slowly reading and meditating on 2 Corinthians 15:17-20.
Reflection
• How do you respond to the words of Inagrace Dietrich (above) and the passage in 2 Corinthians?
Practice:
• Spend some time praying for those you know, who have not yet been “reconciled” to God. Pray that they may come to have a relationship with God. Ask and listen to how God may want you to reveal the “gospel” to them. Make yourself available to God throughout the day and look for how God may be currently reconciling those around you to Him. Participate in that ministry of reconciliation.
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