SET APART
Third of four devotions in Chosen People Series
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (Emphasis mine).
“A holy nation.” How does this apply to me? The word holy just means set apart. Believers in Christ are set apart for God. The Holy Spirit seals everyone who believes in Jesus as one of God’s kids. Ephesians 4:30 says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
That should make you feel very special. Nothing you do can ever tear you away from being God’s kid. Sure, sin messes with one’s friendship with God. But that’s true for every friendship. Check out how one friendship almost got destroyed, and how that was restored, below:
Ten year old Scotty threw the ball hard at classmate Brad during dodge ball at recess from fifth grade.
“What are you doing, Scotty?” Brad yelled. “Are you trying to hurt me?”
“What about it?” Scotty replied. “Just get out of the way …this IS dodge ball!”
Kids laughed at that. The targets always tried to get out of the way!
After recess, as they climbed the stairs to their classroom, Brad asked Scotty, “No, really, why are you mad at me?”
“You’re not ‘all that,’ being a football player, Brad. I can do anything you can do!”
Being set apart for God is a daily challenge. Believers often don’t understand why others are angry or hold a grudge at them. Typical human behavior is to attack back when someone attacks us. That’s called retaliation. Or revenge.
God talks about avenging someone for any harm they do to us. Brad learned in Sunday school what Romans 12:19 says: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written [from Deuteronomy 32:35]: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
So Brad didn’t replay with a nasty comment. He remembered, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him,” (from Romans 12:20a).
Take Home Nugget
It’s not easy for people to behave as set apart for God in this world. Responding with kindness when others are rude is seen as weak today. But that’s the better way, the set apart way, God’s way.
Walking to the school bus after school, Scotty caught up with Brad. He said, “Sorry for how I acted at recess.”
“Not everyone likes playing football. You’re a baseball player, right?” Brad asked.
Let’s shut up when someone attacks. This leaves room for them to open back up to us again.
J.D. Griffith
Written for http://www.Biblestudyforkids.
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