Word@Work 1Pet23 - 1 Peter 2:10
Published: Wed, 05/27/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
MERCY'S DOOR TO FELLOWSHIP
1 Peter 2:10 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. (NIV)
Loneliness has an ugly feel about it. It is different to being 'alone', which means that nobody else is there (except God); because you can be lonely in a crowd. But the sense of isolation, knowing that nobody cares, smells of rejection and the desolation that can be so disturbing. For scattered refugees, as some of Peter's Christian readers were, it is excellent news that God had not abandoned them to an uncertain fate. Rather they had been formed into a growing network of people who were God's very own 'business partners' in the gospel.
The route into God's favour has nothing to do with people being good, saying prayers, giving offerings or helping the poor (although true Christians will want to do all of these). The access point of the Kingdom of God is the mercy He offers to sinners who cannot help themselves. And that mercy flows from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, whereby all who want to receive mercy, can have their sins fully and completely forgiven (see www.crosscheck.org.uk).
It is one thing to be offered mercy, and another to receive it. We receive mercy from God when we come in repentance and accept that Jesus was punished for the sins we have done. As we confess our sins, God pours out his forgiveness (cf 1 John 1:9). It is sin that separates us from God and others, and receiving mercy brings us into the commonwealth of His kingdom: we are no longer alienated, but brought close to God and many other Christians (even though we cannot see them - like the thousands who are reading Word@Work today!). So, if you know about His mercy, you need to reach out to Him and receive it. You need never be lonely again.
Prayer: Dear Lord. How great is Your mercy! I do not deserve it and cannot earn it. Nor can I every repay you for it. I know that you only want me to receive Your mercy, repenting of my sin - so that I can be in right relationship with You, and find my place in Your kingdom. Thank You for the world-wide network of those who belong to You, and I pray today for the thousands of people who are also reading Word@Work. Please bless and strengthen them in their work, to Your praise and glory. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Loneliness has an ugly feel about it. It is different to being 'alone', which means that nobody else is there (except God); because you can be lonely in a crowd. But the sense of isolation, knowing that nobody cares, smells of rejection and the desolation that can be so disturbing. For scattered refugees, as some of Peter's Christian readers were, it is excellent news that God had not abandoned them to an uncertain fate. Rather they had been formed into a growing network of people who were God's very own 'business partners' in the gospel.
The route into God's favour has nothing to do with people being good, saying prayers, giving offerings or helping the poor (although true Christians will want to do all of these). The access point of the Kingdom of God is the mercy He offers to sinners who cannot help themselves. And that mercy flows from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, whereby all who want to receive mercy, can have their sins fully and completely forgiven (see www.crosscheck.org.uk).
It is one thing to be offered mercy, and another to receive it. We receive mercy from God when we come in repentance and accept that Jesus was punished for the sins we have done. As we confess our sins, God pours out his forgiveness (cf 1 John 1:9). It is sin that separates us from God and others, and receiving mercy brings us into the commonwealth of His kingdom: we are no longer alienated, but brought close to God and many other Christians (even though we cannot see them - like the thousands who are reading Word@Work today!). So, if you know about His mercy, you need to reach out to Him and receive it. You need never be lonely again.
Prayer: Dear Lord. How great is Your mercy! I do not deserve it and cannot earn it. Nor can I every repay you for it. I know that you only want me to receive Your mercy, repenting of my sin - so that I can be in right relationship with You, and find my place in Your kingdom. Thank You for the world-wide network of those who belong to You, and I pray today for the thousands of people who are also reading Word@Work. Please bless and strengthen them in their work, to Your praise and glory. Amen.
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