Chosen and Purchased to Display:
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 Amplified
Today, we remember that we have been purchased at a great price by Jesus.
- Romans 8:5 – 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- John 3:16-17 – ESV – 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Why did we need to be purchased?
Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages for our sins is death – but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Being purchased allows us the opportunity of choice – Life with Christ as our Savior, Lord and Master OR death – to continue living as we are with the inevitable outcome of that choice – total separation from God (hell)).
Where are now:
For Some – Christ is waiting for them to come to the realization that they need to accept His purchase price – that of exchanging their sinfulness (asking for forgiveness) for His righteousness and accepting Him as their personal Savior (Revelation 3:20).
For those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior – He wants us to be spurred on to even more growth in the area of Christlikeness.
Colossians 3:1-17 — Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to Death: 5 Whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator
Put On: 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Good Friday reminds us of the price Jesus paid to purchase us back from our own sinful life choices – Easter reminds us that Christ is risen and because of this we need to live as those who are chosen, purchased and ready to display Christ-likeness.
Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
Father God, help us to be spurred on to become even greater witnesses for Jesus. Help us to grow in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience … and love. Thank You for loving us so much that no price was too great for You to pay to redeem us. In Jesus’ name amen.
