Eastertide
May 8, 2020
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
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.—1 Peter 2:9-10
What does it mean to be chosen?
Typically, 1588 /eklektós (“select, chosen”) describes people who choose to follow the Lord, i.e. become God’s choice by freely receiving faith (4102 /pístis) from Him. Accordingly, these two terms are directly connected (see Tit 1:1; Lk 18:7,8).*
When we make the choice to follow the Lord, we freely receive God’s grace. Grace is a gift not payment in return for anything we have done. It is in Biblical terms a privilege available to all who chose to accept it.
Privilege: a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favor : special enjoyment of a good or exemption from an evil or burden**
While grace is mentioned 126 times in the New Testament the word privilege is only used twice:
begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints—2 Corinthians 8.4
For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— Philippians 1.29
The words chosen and privilege have become muddled in our world resulting in the perception that they express an hierarchy of worth rather than a calling to serve. All are worthy in the sight of God who created all and implanted God’s image in each of us. As we struggle to adapt to the new normal of a pandemic, we need to revisit these terms and understand the responsibility they involve. Wearing a mask and social distancing are not a breaches of our freedom. They are ways to protect our neighbors and outward signs that we love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your give us grace sustain us as we answer your call to serve. Amen.
*https://biblehub.com/greek/1588.htm
**https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/privilege
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.