SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2024
DISPLAYING HIS EXCELLENCE AND PERFECTION – Pastor Chris
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9 NET).
In the book of Acts, Luke reports how Peter and John healed a man who had been lame from birth. As a result, Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council). During their interrogation, Peter boldly spoke about Jesus and the power of His Name.
The Sanhedrin observed Peter and John’s courage and their profound understanding of divine realities, despite their lack of formal education (Acts 4:13). They saw in Peter and John the display of the excellence and perfection of Christ. It’s no surprise that the same Peter, by the Spirit, would write in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”
This is very significant as the term “show forth” translates from the Greek “exaggellō,” which means to display. Think about that as your calling, your assignment; it’s to display the excellence and perfection of divinity. The King James Version uses the term ”praises” but that doesn’t fully convey the meaning. The best word for it is a combination of excellence and perfection.
So, when it says you should show forth the praises of Him, it means you’re to display the excellencies and perfections of the one who called you out of darkness. The AMPC renders it a bit more accurately: “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 marvellous light.”
Every day is an opportunity for you to fulfil this unique calling, to display the wonders, glory, perfections, love, grace, mercy and righteousness of Christ to the world. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for choosing me and bringing me into your marvellous light. I embrace my unique calling to display your virtues, perfection, love, grace, mercy and righteousness to the world. My life is a reflection of your glory, and the light of your glorious Gospel shines ever so brightly through me today, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Isaiah 60:1-3
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2 Peter 1:3 AMPC
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan Hebrews 13 & Ezekiel 16
2-Year Bible Reading Plan 1 John 3:13-24 & Ezekiel 48
