Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is 1 Peter 2:9

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

The designations that identified Israel of old now identify God's church on earth today. The Israelites were chosen to be a special people unto the Lord their God (Deuteronomy7:6). They were also a royal priesthood or kingdom of priests (Exodous19:6). They were a holy nation (Exodous19:6). They were also a peculiar people belonging to God alone. All of these identifiers the apostle Peter applies to the New Testament church, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16). The attributes of God, required of Israel of old, which they were never able to live up to, can now be realized in His church through Christ who indwells His people.

Israel was called to salvation and experienced the power of God's deliverance from the bondage of slavery. They never, however, moved from that position to become all that God had ordained that they should be. Although they had the promises before them, those promises did not become a living reality in their experience. They existed in a perpetual state of backsliding. But, in the fullness of time, God sent His Son to blaze a path to eternal victory. Where Israel failed, Christ prevailed. He lived the word of God to perfection and, through His perfect sacrifice, the whole world is invited to be born into the Israel of God and be "His own special people". Let us stand together in Christ and may the world see the manifestation of the children of God as we "proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim