Saved to Praise

I've been reading and studying 1 Peter in my own devotions, as well as in preparation for sharing at Annalong on Sunday. I'll write more about chapter 1 after Sunday (and will put my talks online too), but in the meantime, what about this gem from 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Peter seems to be big on the contrasts in the experience of these new Christians. Despite Peter being the apostle to the Jews, it seems that he also writes to the Gentiles, having first evangelised Cornelius and his friends. And so Peter writes:

'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 marvellous 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.'

The people who had been outsiders, strangers to God, and outside the promises of God have been brought in through faith in Jesus. Mercy is theirs, and so is their place in God's community, God's people. But do you notice that there is a purpose to their being included? No one is saved just to sit and be glad that they are saved. Rather, we are saved with a purpose - 'that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.'

The saved have a story to tell - of their transfer from darkness to light, and their transformation. Are you telling your testimony? We are saved to praise - saved to proclaim the greatness of God. The never-ending activity of heaven is praise. Are you getting ready now for your activity of eternity?