The Joy of Glory

1 Peter 2:9-10
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 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.

Reflection
Why has God saved us?

Does that question every cross your mind? Does it ever keep you awake at night? I know that I haven’t lost much sleep over that thought, but I should have tossed and turned many times because of it.

I think that we don’t wrestle with such a question because our assumption is, “Why would God not save me?” I mean I am totally worth it right?

Wrong.

There is every reason in the world for God to have not saved any of us. I mean it was us who rejected him. He owes us nothing. And it is that very fact that makes salvation so amazing.

He didn’t save us because we were deserving, but because he is so graciously loving. He has lavished his love upon us out of sheer grace!

He chose us as his people, made us his priests, empowered us to be holy… we are his for he called us out of darkness to enjoy his marvelous light forever and ever… just because he loves!

This changes everything about how I react to salvation!

If salvation is something I believe I deserve… then I treat it as such. I don’t really show thanks for it. I’m not amazed by it. I don’t celebrate it or proclaim it. It’s just something I’m entitled to.

But… if salvation is by the grace of God alone… then we become a people in awe of a God so gracious! We can’t help but celebrate… we can’t help but proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light! That becomes our joy!

We become a people willing to sacrifice everything to make known to the world, the gracious love that has been made known to us! We become a cruciform community!

What about you? Is salvation something you feel entitled to? …or… does your salvation amaze you and feel you with joy that cannot be contained? May we be a people, a cruciform community, that sacrifices all to proclaim the excellencies of him who called us out of darkness and into his marvelous light!

 
*All previous devotionals may be found at www.thejoyofglory.com
*The complete SVCC Lenten reading guide is available here.