Youth · Day 5 of 7
Chosen
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-12 (KJV)
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But 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: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Everybody knows the feeling of waiting to be picked, whether for a team, a group project, a friend group, or a date to the dance. Not being chosen can sting for a long time. Peter writes to believers who were outsiders in their culture, often looked down on and misunderstood. He tells them who they really are. Jesus is the 'living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God.' He was rejected too. Because you belong to Him, you are a living stone being built into God's spiritual house. Then verse 9 piles up identity after identity: 'a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.' Peculiar here does not mean weird. It means belonging to God as His own special possession. Verse 10 says it plainly: once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Being chosen by God is not about being better than others. It has a purpose: to 'shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.' Peter also urges believers to live honestly among people who do not know God, so that their lives point others to Him. You do not have to fight for a spot. God has already picked you.
Key verse
“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:”
1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)
Journal it
- When was a time you felt left out or not chosen? How does this passage speak to that?
- Which phrase in verse 9 means the most to you right now, and why?
- How can your everyday life 'shew forth' God's praises to the people around you?
Write your answers in a notebook or the notes app on your phone.