Do you know who you are?

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

You are a chosen generation.

You are a royal priesthood.

You are God’s own special people.

You have been called out of darkness.

You have been called into His marvelous light.

You are called to proclaim His praises.

You are called by name by God

Do you believe that? Have you received faith that this verse was written about you? That God thought about you before the foundations of the world were laid? That He planned your life long before you were born? (Ephesians 1:4; Psalm 139)

If you truly believe that you are a royal priesthood of God, then you will keep yourself separate from all the evil in this world. You have nothing to fear from what people think and say about you, you are God’s. You can keep yourself separate from the ugly spirits that want to draw you down to the base level of this world. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

You can go through life wearing this knowledge like a crown: you are an eternal spirit, chosen by God and precious, created for heavenly things. Then the things of this world lose their appeal, because their darkness and deceit are exposed to you. He has called you into His marvelous light.

You can do it!

You are in this world, and you have to interact with it. At school, at work, wherever you are, you will meet situations that cause you to be tempted. But if you have this constant awareness that you have a high and holy calling it gives you the power to:

• Walk away from filthy conversations, or gossip, or backbiting (Ephesians 5:4; James 3:6)
• Be an individual in Him without caving to peer-pressure, the need to compete with others, or low self-esteem (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
• Turn your back on pop culture that normalizes things that are wrong in God’s eyes (Psalm 1:1)
• Be respectful, kind, and loving when everyone else around you is not, to teachers, bosses, co-workers, parents, or whoever you have to do with in your day-to-day life (Philippians 2:3; Colossians 3:12-14)
• Repay evil with good (Romans 12:21)
• Not be envious of sinners (Proverbs 23:17)
• Live before God’s face instead of worrying about what people think of you (1 Peter 1:24-25)
• Be bold and courageous (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• Bear reproach for His name's sake (Hebrews 13:13)
• Overcome laziness, complaining, self-indulgence, rebelliousness, etc.
• And much, much more.

“That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15.

Draw near to God

To keep sight of your calling in your daily life, you need to arm yourself with God’s Word before you go out into the world to meet the situations of life that you know are coming. The temptations that you know you will meet. Step out into the world with your decisions already made: today you will serve only God, and overcome anything that would lead you to do otherwise. (Luke 4:8)

And refresh yourself throughout the day. You can have an inner dialogue with God at all times. Go to the throne of grace in your time of need. If necessary, find a quiet place where you can cry out in prayer, or sit down with His Word to strengthen yourself. (Hebrews 4:16; Psalm 1:2-3)

God knows you, loves you, and is always with you

You can feel that you are almost hopeless because of how tempted you are. But God hasn’t called you to great things and then left you to figure it out on your own. He’s done so much more than that! He is with you always, wherever you go, whatever you do, strengthening you to choose and do the good. No matter how strongly or often you are tempted, no matter how much Satan tries to persuade you to give in, God is stronger than all of this, and He will give you everything you need to be more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:1-2.

God knows the path that a disciple has to take, the rivers and fire that you will experience. And He never leaves you or forsakes you. He holds you in the palm of His hand. Satan can roar like a lion, but you can resist him, steadfast in your faith that the Almighty God is your source of power, protection, and help. (Joshua 1:5; 1 Peter 5:8-9)

God will always lead you in triumph in Christ, and Your life will proclaim what God can do in those who are His, those who are the called according to His purpose, those who believe in Him. (2 Corinthians 2:14; Romans 8:28)

You are God’s. Believe these words are yours and you will be able to do mighty things in Him.