Remember Who You Are
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 2:4-10
You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
During an interview at a church service a Christian actress was asked how she could live and work in Hollywood and still be true to her convictions. Her answer was quite simple: "I always try to remember who I am." For her the most important thing was to keep her identity as a Christian, no matter what.
It's easy to forget who we are. For a student at a public university, surrounded by people skeptical about Christianity, it can be awkward to hold to your beliefs and try to live God's way. At a wild frat party with friends, it may be tempting to forget that you have committed to live for Jesus. When working with people who have little use for religion, it may seem safer not to mention that you are a Christian. On a business trip with little to do at night it may seem easier to go along with others who engage in immorality than to resist because you are a Christian.
It would have been easy for the early Christians to forget who they were in Christ. Life had become difficult for them because they were followers of Jesus. That's why Peter wrote to them—and to us—"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession." It's only when we remember who we are that we can call others out of darkness into the light of Jesus.
Lord our God, help us to remember who you have made us to be, and help us to praise you through our lives. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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