Word@Work 1Pet22 - 1 Peter 2:9
Published: Tue, 05/26/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
CORPORATE IDENTITY
1 Peter 2:9 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. (NIV)
Every business knows the importance of 'corporate identity'. Each employee and team member must understand that they are part of something which is much bigger than themselves: their role in the organisation is to contribute to the success of company objectives. God has a 'family business'. The British might call it "God and Sons", and every believer is included. The objective is that God shall be seen, praised and worshipped for His wonderful character; and also because He has called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of His presence.
We are not Jesus-believers by chance. We have been specially chosen, and called together to work with Him and for Him. Every believer has the privilege of direct access to God through Jesus Christ, and so we are all priests - not to offer sacrifices for sins because Jesus has already done that, once and for all (cf Heb 10:12) - but to offer praise and prayer. We are so special to God because we have been made holy by the blood of Christ (cf Heb 13:12), through which we are also purchased by our new Master (cf Acts 20:28).
So, how do we show that we value the great privilege of belonging to Christ? This verse says that we are called to be a people of praise. Our lifestyle and conversations (at work, as well as home and church) should demonstrate that we serve the Lord and invite others to worship Him too. That might be easy in church, but God is with us everywhere. In some ways, our worship at work may be a closer reflection of our love for Christ when we have less support from other believers. But wherever you do find other Christians at work, please join them in prayer and Bible study. Perhaps Word@Work might be the starting point for a break-time discussion, followed by prayer and then a work-style that glorifies the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Father. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of your family business. I have so many privileges, but confess the times when I have not represented Your interests, nor lived up to your image in me. Please help me to be a good representative for heaven on earth, with my work colleagues and in my home. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Every business knows the importance of 'corporate identity'. Each employee and team member must understand that they are part of something which is much bigger than themselves: their role in the organisation is to contribute to the success of company objectives. God has a 'family business'. The British might call it "God and Sons", and every believer is included. The objective is that God shall be seen, praised and worshipped for His wonderful character; and also because He has called us out of the darkness of sin into the light of His presence.
We are not Jesus-believers by chance. We have been specially chosen, and called together to work with Him and for Him. Every believer has the privilege of direct access to God through Jesus Christ, and so we are all priests - not to offer sacrifices for sins because Jesus has already done that, once and for all (cf Heb 10:12) - but to offer praise and prayer. We are so special to God because we have been made holy by the blood of Christ (cf Heb 13:12), through which we are also purchased by our new Master (cf Acts 20:28).
So, how do we show that we value the great privilege of belonging to Christ? This verse says that we are called to be a people of praise. Our lifestyle and conversations (at work, as well as home and church) should demonstrate that we serve the Lord and invite others to worship Him too. That might be easy in church, but God is with us everywhere. In some ways, our worship at work may be a closer reflection of our love for Christ when we have less support from other believers. But wherever you do find other Christians at work, please join them in prayer and Bible study. Perhaps Word@Work might be the starting point for a break-time discussion, followed by prayer and then a work-style that glorifies the Lord.
Prayer: Holy Father. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of your family business. I have so many privileges, but confess the times when I have not represented Your interests, nor lived up to your image in me. Please help me to be a good representative for heaven on earth, with my work colleagues and in my home. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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