Posted on 07/17/2023 8:51:20 AM PDT by metmom
"You are . . . a people for God's own possession" (1 Pet. 2:9). Since God paid the price to redeem you, you belong to Him.
When Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me" (John 10:14), He stated a truth that has been especially dear to me since the early years of my theological education. One of the pleasant memories from my seminary days is sitting in chapel and singing the hymn by the nineteenth-century lyricist Wade Robinson "I Am His and He Is Mine." I may never fully comprehend the depths of what it means to belong to Christ, but I will forever glory in it.
The Greek word translated "possession" in 1 Peter 2:9 means "to purchase" or "acquire for a price." Paul used it in Ephesians 1:14 to speak of "the redemption of God's own possession." Everyone is His by creation, but we as Christians are uniquely His because He paid the price to redeem us from the bondage of sin and death.
God's ownership of believers is emphasized throughout Scripture. Paul admonished elders to "shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28). He said to the Corinthians, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Titus 2:14 says that Christ "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem [or purchase] us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession."
Isaiah 43:21 says, "The people whom I formed for Myself, will declare My praise." That was to be Israel's purpose, and it is yours as well. God chose you as His own possession and gave His Son to purchase your salvation. You are His eternally, so live accordingly and rejoice in such a glorious privilege!
Suggestions for Prayer
Make it your practice to praise God abundantly for the privilege of belonging to Him.
For Further Study
Read John 10:1-33.
What characterizes the Good Shepherd?
What did Jesus claim about His relationship with God the Father?
How did the Jewish leaders react to His teaching?
From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.com.
Studying God’s Word ping
‘Behold,
The Lamb of GOD!
Who takes Away the Sin of the WORLD.
.
That speaks Volumes FRiends.
It seems everyone is born with a longing to belong and Jesus fills that need perfectly!
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
17 “On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him.
Malachi 3:16-17
Ps Sorry for getting all squishy and awkward the other day mm. I was having one of those ‘a little too elated ‘ days. I’m sure you know what I mean so please forgive a silly old fool.
(Still mean it though) 🙃
Not a problem......
I understood the intent.
God bless you! May you have more good days, too.
Like I posted earlier to daniel ,I am really looking forward to meeting you on the banks of that river in the new Jerusalem!
Grace and peace to you metmom, all of our best days are ahead of us!
You both have been a bigger blessing to me than you could possibly know.
2 Peter 1:3-11
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Always enjoy your posts Elsie. About 15 odd yrs ago I used to think of you as the “five o’clock charlie” of FR.I’ve long since come to the realization that you are a far more serious poster than you might first seem.
Our bible study group is about to launch into 2nd Peter tomorrow night and I can’t wait! He says so much in such a short letter. An amazing and very confronting epistle.
Thanks for those scriptures FRiend
Grace and peace to you
Thanks to the men who have given their lives so that we can HAVE these Scriptures!
Lol that’s him all right!
And yes amen and thank all God for those who gave their all for the scriptures.
All God!!??
Oh dear.
I’m sure you know what I mean.
reference.
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