(by pastor Norman)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a special people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9; AMP). It pays for us to take note of who we are as Christians as the apostle Peter so eloquently describes above. We are a very special people belonging to God, called out from the darkness in this world for a specific purpose, to tell of the wonders of Jesus to those we come in contact with. We are temples of God (2 Cor 6:16), of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor 6:19) and Jesus paid a high price, His life (1 Cor 6:20) so that we could be forgiven (Eph 1:7) and become God’s children (John 1:12), His Christian people. The apostle Paul exhorts us to live lives separate from non- Christians (2 Cor 6:14, 17); we need to witness to them (Acts 1:8) but not follow their lifestyle. God wishes to bless us abundantly (John 10:10) but warns against loving or seeking after the evil ways of the world (1 John 2:15, Eph 5:11). Jesus Himself said that He calls us out from the world around us and people in the world will not love us (John 15:19). We need to be careful in our choice of friends, bad company will influence us negatively (1 Cor 15:33, James 4:4). We must let God’s love shine through us and allow our words and lifestyle to attract those around us into His victorious eternal life.