Show Session 2: 1 Peter 2:1-12

OPEN

Think back to a time when you cleaned out your home—maybe to obey parents, to impress a visitor, or simply spring cleaning.

maybe to obey parents, to impress a visitor, or simply

spring cleaning. How did you feel after you finished

How did you feel after you finished cleaning? What was it like getting rid of junk you no longer needed?

cleaning? What was it like getting rid of junk you no

Like our homes, our spiritual lives also require times of spring cleaning. For the sake of holiness, there are items in our hearts that must be thrown out to make room for new desires and habits that pursue Christ.

longer needed?

Like our homes, our spiritual lives also require times of spring cleaning. For the sake of holiness, there are items in our hearts that must be thrown out to make room for new desires and habits that pursue Christ.

I’ve discovered since “retiring” the cleaning has to be more critical or stuff gets piled up in the room. If I’m not careful I collect more then I discard.

spring cleaning. For the sake of holiness, there are items

in our hearts that must be thrown out to make room for

LAST WEEK Chad covered the first chapter: As you know Peter wrote this letter to a community of Christ followers suffering under persecution. Believers were being ostracized, imprisoned, and martyred for their faith in Christ. So, Peter reminds them of their identity in order to encourage their perseverance.

new desires and habits that pursue Christ.

As we saw last week, Peter is writing his letter to

a community of Christ followers suffering under

persecution. Believers were being ostracized,

The first chapter reminds us Christians have transferred their citizenship. This world is not our home, which means our circumstances—no matter how painful—are temporary.

imprisoned, and martyred for their faith in Christ. So,

Peter reminds them of their identity in order to fuel their

perseverance. Based on his first chapter, Christians

have transferred their citizenship. This world is not our

We are reminded to set our hope on eternity with Christ and pursue holiness until we are called home.

home, which means our circumstances—no matter how

painful—are temporary. So we should set our hope on

eternity with Christ and pursue holiness until then.

Beginning in chapter 2, Peter begins to offer a practical glimpse into what a holy life looks like.

glimpse into what a holy life looks like.

Someone read .

1 Peter 2:1–12 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 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 marvelous 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. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

I really like the way The Message translates v3 1-3:

1 Peter 2:1–3 The Message

1 So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. 3 You’ve had a taste of God. 2 Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.

1

The word Malice has an interesting twist:

κακίαc, ας f: a feeling of hostility and strong dislike, with a possible implication of desiring to do harm—‘hateful feeling.’ σὺν πάσῃ κακίᾳ ‘together with every hateful feeling’ .

88.200 κακόω τὴν ψυχὴν κατά: (an idiom, literally ‘to cause a person’s attitude to be bad against’) to cause someone to have hostile feelings of dislike toward someone—‘to turn someone against, to cause to dislike.’

The twist is in the passive tense; it means:

An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon κακίζω

Pass. to play the coward

Peter is implying when we hold onto malice, we are cowards!

Have you ever been a coward? Are you one now?

Take another look at Peter’s list in vs 1. It’s not meant to be complete—he is dealing with those he writes too. However the list can easily expand to include other destructive behavior that affects relationships.

When we consider this list a little more carefully, it

When we consider this list a little more carefully, it becomes clear that it focuses on sin that tears at the social fabric of relationships.

becomes clear that it focuses on sin that tears at the

Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander are all root sins that give birth to other sins!

They are destructive traits that undermine relationships among believers; but, they also undermine our inner peace with God!

social fabric of relationships. Each is inherently divisive

Obviously, this is a destructive trait in general, but especially in terms of relationships among believers

When I have malice—my heart is not in sync with God, and I am a coward refusing to deal with my own sin while I point the finger at everyone else’s sin!

and finds its root in an ill will (or “malice”) toward others.

When I am deceitful, I lie to myself, others, and God.

Obviously, this is a destructive trait in general, but

The word used by Peter is the one used to describe the Jewish leaders who murdered Christ.

When I am hypocritical, I ignore my sin and blame others for my problems and use their sin to justify my own.

especially in terms of relationships among believers

Hypocrisy is giving the impression of certain purposes or motivations, when really having different ones.

When I am envious, I deny God’s work in my life and I focus on what I don’t have rather than how God gifted me.

Envy is a state of jealousy and ill-will toward someone because of real or presumed advantages.

When I slander, I murder others with my words and create hate and anger in them, which really says more about me than them.

Slander is not just speaking evil of someone, it is to make or imply insults through gossip.

Peter begins by explaining what to get rid of for the sake of a holy life. Then he tells us how to develop the holy life. Like a baby longing for their Mother’s milk, we are too long for, deeply desire, yearn after pure spiritual milk!

Peter begins by explaining what to get rid of for the sake of a holy life. Then he tells us how to develop the holy life. Like a baby longing for their Mother’s milk, we are too long for, deeply desire, yearn after pure spiritual milk!

How important is pure spiritual milk?

A 5 year study done by Barna, Six Reasons Young Christians Leave Church

The research project was comprised of eight national studies, including interviews with teenagers, young adults, parents, youth pastors, and senior pastors. The study of young adults focused on those who were regular churchgoers Christian church during their teen years and explored their reasons for disconnection from church life after age 15.

No single reason dominated the break-up between church and young adults. Instead, a variety of reasons emerged. Overall, the research uncovered six significant themes why nearly three out of every five young Christians (59%) disconnect either permanently or for an extended period of time from church life after age 15.

Reason #1 – Churches seem overprotective. While young people expressed the desire for their faith in Christ to connect to the world they live in, they felt their parent’s Christianity was stifling, fear-based and risk-averse. They said “Christians demonize everything outside of the church and churches ignored the problems of the real world.

They said “church was boring...faith was not relevant to their career or interests...the Bible was not taught clearly or often enough...God was missing from their experience of church”.

portion of his letter by explaining what to get rid of

As you reflect on Peter’s charge in verse one, what is the Holy Spirit convicting you to clean out of your junk drawer?

you need to “rid yourself” of? Make note of anything the

“an appetite for godliness.” Pursuing

Holy Spirit is convicting you to clean out of your

junk drawer?

Developing a holy life has 2 sides: (1) Getting rid of the junk, and (2) graving pure milk. Or saying it another way, getting “an appetite for godliness.”

for the sake of a holy life. But there’s another side to

Getting rid of the junk

“an appetite for godliness.”

holiness—what we should crave for a holy life. Kyle

When Peter uses the phrase “pure spiritual milk,” he’s not prescribing a permanently immature diet of Christianity. Rather, he introduces the concept as a means for growth, or spiritual maturity. Just as milk causes babies to grow so “spiritual milk” causes Christians to grow.

described it as “an appetite for godliness.” Pursuing

prescribing a permanently immature diet of Christianity.

holiness is not merely about changing behavior. It

Rather, he introduces the concept as a means for growth,

requires an internal change in terms of our desires—the

or spiritual maturity. Just as milk causes babies to grow

This is how the New Testament treats this image on a consistent basis (see and ).

things we love and hate

But Peter uses the modifier logikov, which is translated “spiritual.” Outside of its biblical use, the term is often used to describe something “rational” or “reasonable,” beginning primarily in the mind. Considering its lexical connection to the term logos (“word”) as well as its proximity to 1:25 where Peter describes the “word” as the gospel preached to his readers, it is likely that the “milk” he has in mind is none other than Scripture—the very Word of God. Our spiritual maturity as believers is not built primarily on mystical or experiential moments, but through the transforming of our minds by means of God’s Word.

so “spiritual milk” causes Christians to grow. This is how

1 Corinthians 3:1–3 ESV

1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

the New Testament treats this image on a consistent basis

Hebrews 5:11–14 ESV

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

(see and ). But Peter uses the

Peter uses a modifier logikov, which most people translate “spiritual.” However λογῐκόή is often used to describe something “rational” or “reasonable,” beginning primarily in the mind. The word is linguistically connected to word (ῥῆμα) in 1:25

ῥῆμαin 1:25

1 Peter 1:25 ESV

25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.

Peter is telling us Scripture, the very Word of God is what develops us from infancy to maturity. Our spiritual maturity as believers is not built on mystical or experiential moments, but through the transforming of our minds by means of God’s Word.

modifier logikov, which is translated “spiritual.” Outside

Considering its lexical connection to the term logos (“word”) in 1:25 where Peter describes the “word” as the gospel preached to his readers, the “milk” he has in mind is none other than Scripture—the very Word of God. Our spiritual maturity as believers is not built primarily on mystical or experiential moments, but through the transforming of our minds by means of God’s Word.

Why do young people think Church is boring?

of its biblical use, the term is often used to describe

λογῐκόήOutside of its biblical use, the term is often used to describe something “rational” or “reasonable,” beginning primarily in the mind. Considering its lexical connection to the term logos (“word”) as well as its proximity to 1:25 where Peter describes the “word” as the gospel preached to his readers, it is likely that the “milk” he has in mind is none other than Scripture—the very Word of God. Our spiritual maturity as believers is not built primarily on mystical or experiential moments, but through the transforming of our minds by means of God’s Word.

Because they are not being fed pure milk or challenged with the meat of Scripture.

something “rational” or “reasonable,” beginning primarily

Why do they think faith is not relevant?

in the mind. Considering its lexical connection to the

Because their parents and leaders failed to make the connection to faith in their own lives; why should they want what their patents don’t have?

term logos (“word”) as well as its proximity to 1:25 where

Why do young people not hear sound biblical teaching and think God is missing in their church?

Peter describes the “word” as the gospel preached to his

Because biblical teaching IS missing—there is a famine in the church for the Word of God, and God is not showing Himself to those who do not really want Him to be present. Because, when God is present, people cannot do things their own way!

readers, it is likely that the “milk” he has in mind is none

other than Scripture—the very Word of God. Our spiritual

HOW can we SUCCESSFULLY pursue holiness?

maturity as believers is not built primarily on mystical or

1 Peter 2:3–4 ESV

3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

1 Peter 2:4–5 ESV

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

The words “as you come to Him” in the Greek text do not refer to the initial act of the sinner coming to the Lord Jesus for salvation, but indicate a close and habitual approach and an intimate association made by faith when the believer realizes the presence of and seeks communion and fellowship of Jesus Christ.

experiential moments, but through the transforming of

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 8. The Believer-Priest’s Spiritual Food (2:1–5)

The words “to whom coming” in the Greek text do not refer to the initial act of the sinner coming to the Lord Jesus for salvation, but indicate a close and habitual approach and an intimate association made by faith when the believer realizes the presence of and seeks communion and fellowship with his Lord

Look at vs 5: What is the Spiritual House?

our minds by means of God’s Word.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 8. The Believer-Priest’s Spiritual Food (2:1–5)

This spiritual house is not the local church nor even a group of saints, but the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church Universal, for Peter is addressing believers in five Roman provinces. The words “holy priesthood” in the Greek text are preceded by a preposition showing purpose. Thus we translate, “to be a holy priesthood.” The words “to offer up” are the translation of a word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament of the act of the priest bearing the sacrifice up to the brazen altar. The latter was four and one-half feet high and was approached by an incline up which the priest carried the sacrifice. The word itself means literally, “to carry up.” Thus the Church is an unlimited priesthood to offer upon the altar of the consecrated, dedicated heart of the believer, spiritual sacrifices, not animal sacrifices as in the case of the Levitical priests, but the activities of the human spirit of man energized by the Holy Spirit.

This spiritual house is not the local church nor even a group of saints, but the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church Universal—keep in mind Peter is addressing believers in five Roman provinces.

The words “holy priesthood” in the Greek text are preceded by a preposition showing purpose. Therefore we translate, “to be a holy priesthood.”

The words “to offer” are the translation of a word used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament of the act of the priest bearing the burden of sacrifice up to the brazen altar. The altar was 4-1/2 feet high and the Priest carried the sacrifice on an upward incline. The word itself means literally, “to carry up.”

The picture is of the Church—the people of God, offering themselves upon the altar of God, their consecrated, dedicated hearts as spiritual sacrifices. We don’t give animal or physical sacrifices like the Levitical priests, but we give our activities which are energized by the Holy Spirit!

God is not interested in sacrifices which are merely tokens to get Him off our back or to comply with laws or traditions—He wants our hearts given freely to Him in surrender! (Munson)

Picture of Relationship

1 pet 2:

1 Peter 2:6–8 ESV

6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Peter contrast us as living stones being built into God’s Temple with Jesus as the Cornerstone from which every stone is laid.

The imagery is interesting in that EVERY stone is God’s individual possession, as if it were the ONLY stone!

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. The Chief Cornerstone (2:6–10)

The word “elect” is literally “a chosen-out one.” The word “precious” has the idea of “held in honor.”

The word “elect/chosen” is literally “a chosen-out one.” The word “precious” has the idea of “held in honor.”

These who are disobedient (the literal Greek has it “non-persuasable”) are appointed to stumble at the Word, which is the penalty for refusal to believe it.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. The Chief Cornerstone (2:6–10)

These who are disobedient (the literal Greek has it “non-persuasable”) are appointed to stumble at the Word, which is the penalty for refusal to believe it.

Destined has some mystery behind the word

English Standard Version Chapter 2

They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament 9. The Chief Cornerstone (2:6–10)

These who are disobedient (the literal Greek has it “non-persuasable”) are appointed to stumble at the Word, which is the penalty for refusal to believe it.

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language Chapter 2

They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 37.96 τάσσω; ὁρίζω; ἀναδείκνυμι; τίθημι

37.96 τάσσωa; ὁρίζωb; ἀναδείκνυμιb; τίθημιb: to assign someone to a particular task, function, or role—‘to appoint, to designate, to assign, to give a task to.’

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 37.96 τάσσω; ὁρίζω; ἀναδείκνυμι; τίθημι

37.96 τάσσωa; ὁρίζωb; ἀναδείκνυμιb; τίθημιb: to assign someone to a particular task, function, or role—‘to appoint, to designate, to assign, to give a task to.’

τάσσωa: ἐπίστευσαν ὅσοι ἦσαν τεταγμένοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ‘those who had been designated for eternal life became believers’ Ac 13:48. Though τάσσω in Ac 13:48 has sometimes been interpreted as meaning ‘to choose,’ there seems to be far more involved than merely a matter of selection, since a relationship is specifically assigned.

ὁρίζωb: ὁ ὡρισμένος ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ κριτής ‘the one designated by God as judge’ Ac 10:42.

ἀναδείκνυμιb: ἀνέδειξεν ὁ κύριος ἑτέρους ἑβδομήκοντα δύο ‘the Lord appointed another seventy-two men’ Lk 10:1.

τίθημιb: ἔθηκα ὑμᾶς ἵνα ὑμεῖς ὑπάγητε καὶ καρπὸν φέρητε ‘I appointed you to go and bear much fruit’ Jn 15:16.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

The NLT seems to give the most accurate meaning:

New Living Translation Chapter 2

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

They reject Christ and receive the fate of all those who reject God.

The truth is in between the two extremes—(1) people do not believe then get appointed to salvation, nor (2) do they believe because they are appointed. The reality is FAR MORE complicated! It is implied than we lack the ability to fully understand God’s work in our salvation and why some reject Him.

Wrapping our minds around election

Among the most hotly contested and persistent debates in the history of the confessing church, the doctrine of election is perhaps the greatest of all.

The question goes like this: Does God choose sinners to be saved and then provide for their salvation? Or, Does God provide the way of salvation that sinners must choose for themselves?

Where's the evidence? This question of choice is called "election" because of the Greek word for those who are chosen — the Bible calls them eklektos. There are many such uses in the Bible

Colossians 3:12 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

1 Timothy 5:21 ESV

21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality.

Tit 1:1-

1 tim 5

Titus 1:1 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness,

2 John 1 ESV

1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,

Romans 8:33 ESV

33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

The answer is, "no one," but why? Is it because I chose God, or is it because God chose me?

2 John

2John 2:1

; ; ), but one of my favorites is in : "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" The answer is, "no one," but why? Is it because I chose God, or is it because God chose me?

; ; ), but one of my favorites is in : "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" The answer is, "no one," but why? Is it because I chose God, or is it because God chose me?

; ; ; ), but one of my favorites is in : "Who will bring a charge against God's elect?" The answer is, "no one," but why? Is it because I chose God, or is it because God chose me?

One passage that is critical to the discussion is in the opening chapter of Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Immediately after his customary greeting, Paul launches in with a great song of praise. It's only one sentence — but, with 200 words in the Greek, it may be the longest single sentence in religious literature.

Paul touches on all the great biblical themes in that one complex sentence — sanctification, adoption, redemption, and glorification — and all of them rest on one foundational doctrine, the doctrine of election.

ALL OF THE SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS stand on

Ephesians 1:4 ESV

4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love

So the doctrine of election is biblical, but what does that passage really teach? What does Paul mean? Paul's song is essentially his reflection on the amazing truth that God "blessed us with every spiritual blessing...in Christ" (v. 3). And how did He bless us? "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" ().

— "He chose us [elected us] in Him before the foundation of the world."

So the doctrine of election is biblical, but what does that passage really teach? I want to help you get a better grasp of that by pointing out what Paul teaches about election. If you are a believer, you can equip yourself for your next conversation on this topic. But more important, as one of His elect you can rejoice in the astonishing kindness God showed you before the world began.

I want to help you get a better grasp of that by pointing out what Paul teaches about election. If you are a believer, you can equip yourself for your next conversation on this topic. But more important, as one of His elect you can rejoice in the astonishing kindness God showed you before the world began.

What Paul mean? Paul's song is essentially his reflection on the amazing truth that God "blessed us with every spiritual blessing...in Christ" (v. 3). And how did He bless us? "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world" ().

God didn't draw straws! He didn't look down the corridor of time to see who would choose Him before He decided. Rather, by His sovereign will He chose who would be in the Body of Christ. The construction of the Greek verb for "chose" indicates God chose us for Himself.

That means God acted totally independent of any outside influence. He made His choice totally apart from human will and purely on the basis of His sovereignty.

Jesus said to His disciples, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you" ().

And in the same Gospel, John wrote, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (1:12-13, italics mine).

And Paul said, "But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth" ().

Those statements defining God's sovereign choice of believers are not in the Bible to cause controversy, as if God's election means sinners don't make decisions. Election does not exclude human responsibility or the necessity of each person to respond to the gospel by faith.

Jesus said, "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out" ().

THE TWO CONCEPTS CANNOT BE RECONCILED! However, both are true separately. We may not understand them, but rest assured — they are fully reconciled in the mind of God.

ILLUSTRATION of an Antinomy

a contradiction between two beliefs or conclusions that are in themselves reasonable; a paradox.

ie. light existing as both particles and waves even though science say all matter is composed of either particles or waves Theories try to explain the contradiction, yet it is still debated.

You must understand that your faith and salvation rest entirely on God's election (cf. ). And yet the day you came to Jesus Christ, you did so because of an internal desire — you did nothing against your will. But even that desire is God-given — He supplies the necessary faith so we can believe ().

Think about it — if your salvation depends on you, then praise to God is ridiculous. But, in truth, your praise to God is completely appropriate, because in forming the Body before the world began, He chose you by His sovereign decree apart from any of your works. The doctrine of election demonstrates God being God, exercising divine prerogatives. For that we must praise Him.

"But that's not fair!" Some are shocked to find that God didn't choose everyone to salvation. Jesus said, "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day" (, italics mine). God the Father chose certain individuals to form a Body as a gift to Jesus Christ. Every believer is part of that love gift to Christ — a gift of the Father's love to His Son.

To those who say that is unjust, Paul answers: "What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion'" ().

So why does God still find fault in unrepentant sinners when He didn't choose them? Doesn't this deny human responsibility? Is it fair for God to still hold them accountable?

Paul answers all such questions with a rebuke — "who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it?" (v. 20). Does the clay jump up and ask the potter why it looks the way it does? Not at all.

Some believe that is terribly cold and calculating. But that is only one side of God's sovereign election. Paul continues in the next chapter by saying, "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved...for 'whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved'" (10:9,13).

How these two sides of God's truth — His sovereignty in choosing us () and our responsibility to confess and believe () — reconciling the two truths is impossible for us to understand fully. But Scripture declares both perspectives of salvation to be true (). It's our duty to acknowledge both and joyfully accept them by faith.

Who We Are—BECAUSE God reached down and made us His own possession.

1 Peter 2:9 KJV 1900

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:

Peculiar is translated from a word that means: “God’s own possession.” It implies to mark a circle around something to own and protect it as if it were the only one; irreplaceable! A treasured possession; as if you were the ONLY TREASURE God owned!

1 Peter 1:9 ESV

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 2:9 NLT

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:10–12 ESV

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. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

CLOSING

I stand amazed in the presence   Of Jesus the Nazarene, And wonder how He could love me,   A sinner condemned, unclean. How marvelous! How wonderful!   And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful!     Is my Savior’s love for me!

How marvelous! How wonderful!   And my song shall ever be: How marvelous! How wonderful!     Is my Savior’s love for me!

My Eyes Are Dry / Keith Green

{subtitle:Keith Green}

{key:C}

Capo 4 in Key: C

[C]My eyes are [G]dry, my [F]Faith is [C]old.

My [Dm]heart is [Am]hard, my [G]prayers are cold.

And [C]I know [G]how I [F]ought to [C]be

[F]Alive to [C]You, and [G]dead to [C]me. [F] [C]

[C]Well what can be [F]done, for an old heart like [C]mine?

soften it [G]up, with Oil and [C]Wine.

[C7]The Oil is [F]You, Your Spirit of [C]Love.

[C]Please Wash me [G]anew, in the Wine of Your [C]Blood. [F] [C]