The Upward Look
© Copyright 2010, Max D. Hutto,

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
   1 Peter 2:9 HCSB ©

In contrast to those who have rejected Jesus, those who trust in Jesus as their Savior have become God’s prized possessions. Peter describes believers by using four distinct phrases that the Old Testament had used to describe God’s special relationship with Israel. The Christian church is to carry out these four functions so that God’s message will be proclaimed. The message is that Jesus came to bring salvation and light to a sinful and dark world.

Lord Jesus, teach me to live in a way that I may represent this special relationship and may perform the task You have commanded. Help me to proclaim to all who would hear Your wonderful deeds, that have brought me out of darkness into Your marvelous light.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)