The Kingdom

The Bible teaches that as followers of Jesus Christ that we live between two realities: God's Kingdom has arrived, but it is not fully completed. So how are we to live as we await our Lord to bring it to completed?

1 Peter 2:9–12 (ESV) -- "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."

1. Remember your IDENTITY

If we are going to be active citizens of God's Kingdom and not lose heart, it is vital that we have a clear grass of who we are in Christ. The apostle Peter describes our new nature this way:

• "a chosen race" -- We belong to God, not because we are good, or we deserve it, or because we have earned it, but because God has chosen us.
• "a royal priesthood" -- as our King, God has called us as His priests to offer up spiritual sacrifices in His presence. We are told in Romans 12:1 that we are to "present (our) bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is (our) spiritual worship."
• "a holy nation" -- We have been set apart by God so that we might enjoy His presence and favor forever.
• "a people for his own possession" -- We are no longer our own, we belong to God.

2. Fulfill your CALLING

It is because of the great love that God has for the world that He has delayed the return of His Son. The Bible tells us that God does't want anyone to perish, but He wants everyone to repent (2 Peter 3:9). It is for this reason that God has called us to be His witnesses (Acts 1:8).

Peter tells us in verse 9 that we are to "proclaim the excellencies of" God. To proclaim carries the idea of worship and witness! The word excellencies speaks to the mighty power of God being demonstrated. The point that Peter is making is that the mighty works of God should move us to worship and to witness.

In verses9-10 Peter gives us three reasons that should motivate us to worship and to witness. 

• "Called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" -- We used to walk in the darkness, but now we live in God's marvelous light.
• "Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people" -- There was a time when we were excluded from God's chosen people, but now we are a part of God's family.
• "Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" -- We once were under the wrath and the judgment of God, but now we have experienced the mercy of God. 

3. Fight your BATTLE

The Bible tells us that we are "sojourners and exiles." The point that Peter is making is that we are residents of earth, but this place is not our home. As we wait for our Lord to return, we are to be busy working to expand His Kingdom on earth. In verses 11-12, the apostle gives us two commands that will help us accomplish our calling of proclaiming God's excellencies. 

• We are to resist and overcome the "passions of the flesh" -- The picture that Peter paints is that this is a war. It's not easy, but with the Holy Spirit dwelling in us we can overcome them. It will require a renewed mind, a disciplined tongue, and a controlled body. The apostle Paul put it this way in 1 Corinthians 9:27, "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

• We are to "Keep (our) conduct honorable" -- The Christians of the first century were looked upon with suspicion and hostility. Peter's command was not for them to wage a publicity battle or a legal battle against those who opposed them. Instead Peter exhorts them to live godly lives and to seek to do good to their enemies! Jesus put it this way in Matthew 5:16 (ESV), "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

As we wait for the coming of our King, let us take seriously our calling to proclaim the "proclaim the excellencies" of our King and let us love our neighbors as we love ourselves!