Not Just Like Him - in HimSample

Day 7 - Out of darkness into His marvelous light

Over the past six days, we’ve slowed down to take in the depth of 1 Peter 2:9—learning that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s own possession. Through Peter’s life and words, we’ve seen that our identity in Christ is not based on qualification; it’s not earned through our witness, but grounded in “with-ness”—a life of communion with God, lived out with others. We’ve seen that we are meant to join God in what He’s been doing since the beginning of time. And today, we reach the crescendo, the purpose behind it all: we’ve been given this identity so that we may declare the praises of the One who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. This is the “why” behind it all—our identity leads us into worship, and our worship points the world back to Him.

Peter wrote these words from Rome, watching tensions rise between Christians and the surrounding culture. Across the empire, Christians were becoming outcasts—excluded from events, cut off from families, and denied economic opportunity. The refusal to worship false gods threatened a major industry, and Christianity was seen as a growing danger. Peter could read the times in such an honor and shame culture, and knew believers might be tempted to walk away from their faith just to avoid the pain of rejection.

So Peter writes to anchor them in truth. He needed them to know that in the face of being an outcast, excluded, no longer important to society, they have actually been given the most special of privileges and that they are, in fact, a deeply significant and included people. As we’ve seen through this week, he uses four titles—chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God’s own possession —drawn from Israel’s story to remind these scattered believers that they are now part of God’s people, rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought into His marvelous light. And we’ve been given this identity not only for our comfort, but so that we may declare the praises of Him who first loved us (1 Peter 2:9).

That phrase—“that you may declare the praises of Him”—is the heart of the whole verse. Worship flows naturally from a heart that has been with God, that remembers who He is and what He has done. We were created for worship. Whether we realize it or not, we all worship something—giving our devotion, time, energy, and affection to what captures our hearts. Maybe it’s success, approval, security, relationships, image, or influence. Sometimes it’s a person—a parent, a leader, or someone we’ve loved deeply. Christian psychiatrist and author Curt Thompson writes, “We come into this world looking for someone who has already been looking for us. And we spend our entire lives in this mode.” God has placed good desires in our hearts, and He longs to meet them in His perfect way and timing. Only He can truly satisfy the soul. He alone is worthy of all our praise.

Peter believed that if Christians remembered this special privilege, they wouldn’t turn away from their faith, even under pressure. And the same is true for us. We may not face the same kind of exclusion today, but we still feel the tension of living in a culture that doesn’t always understand or affirm a holy life. So how do we live in the world, but not of it?

By holding Peter’s words close to our hearts and reflecting on his story, we’re reminded that we are chosen—not because of what we’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done and continues to do. These truths still hold for us today. They realign our hearts and minds to eternity, keeping us from locking in on what is fading and temporary. When we begin to see our lives through the lens of who we are—and why we were chosen—we realize we’re not called to escape the world, but to engage it with kindness, courage, and holiness. And as we do, our lives become a reflection of God’s goodness, inviting others into the joy of praising Him.

Reflection Question: Spend some time exploring who or what you may be worshipping. Ask the Holy Spirit: “What has been capturing my heart lately? What am I giving most of my attention, energy, and affection to?” Without shame or guilt, allow whatever comes up to come up. Remember, Jesus looks at you and loves you. Pray, “God, here is what’s true about me. Thank you for showing me. Now what are we going to do about it”? The emphasis of the "we" being on Jesus, who is the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:2).

Written by Maddy Lewis
Discipleship Pastor at Oasis Church LA