Profile: Recipient Of Mercy Series

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 PETER 2:9-10 (English Standard Version)'

INTRODUCTION

Apostle Peter reminded us of God’s mercy that was bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus. Mercy is giving something to someone that they don't deserve. When people come to faith, trust and salvation in Jesus Christ, the punishment for their sins is forgiven, all paid for by Him on the cross. This is God's greatest mercy. A believer does not have to suffer the penalty of eternal punishment in the lake of fire. Whenever someone falls short and sins, if we confess our sins to the Lord we are forgiven. His compassion and forgiveness for us are extended by His mercy and love. God’s mercy enabled us to endure all the trials and circumstances in life, and help us to stand firm on God’s immutable promises and keep going on. Since we are travelers and foreigners in this world, we need to know how to handle ourselves in an unusual culture, which is full of obstacles. God allowed obstacles in life so that we can remember His mercy for us. This passage has something to say about that. In these verses Peter shares some 3 reminders for us why God bestowed us His mercy and compassion.

1). DIMMED HISTORY

- 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 PETER 2:9

- 1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. EPHESIANS 2:1-3

- 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. PROVERBS 16:25

We are reminded that Jesus found us in the darkness of sin, He found us when we lived as we pleased and were unaware that our freedom and fun was nothing more than the worst kind of bondage. God has accepted us despite of our past and because of Christ exchanged His life for us. We are valuable in the eyes of God. Even with our disabilities, character flaws, shortcomings, insecurities, and immaturity, God accepted us just as we are. He invites us home. No conditions and no restrictions. He chooses us for His purpose. We don't have to get cleaned up or stitched up or made up to be accepted by God, and that is how Christ demonstrated His love for us.

2). DISDAINED HISTORY

- 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God..... 1 PETER 2:10

- 12 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. EPHESIANS 2:12

- 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. COLOSSIANS 1:21

- 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. ROMANS 8:7

We are reminded that when He came to us, we were not even part of a people. We were outcasts and part of deprived world. We were the enemies of God. Our lives are compared to garbage, and God is garbage collector; He cleansed us and revived our lives so that we can have life, and it is through Christ Jesus, who sacrificed His own life for our sins.

3). DANGEROUS HISTORY

- 10 ... once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 PETER 2:10

- 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. EPHESIANS 2:8-9

- 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:10