God's people: then and now

Who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:10)

Peter emphasizes the stark contrast between the past and present of Christians. Once, we were not a people, but now, we are the chosen people of Almighty God—a holy nation, a chosen generation. In our past, we were lost, but now, we have found mercy, and through that mercy, we are saved, justified, and progressing in sanctification. Reflecting on this difference between the past and the present is crucial. This remembrance prevents boasting and fosters humility in the present. Gratitude for the mercy received in the present is a natural outcome of such reflection.

Moreover, remembering the past cultivates faith in God for the future. Thus, the beautiful result of recalling the difference between the past and the present includes humility, gratitude, and a deepened faith in God's ongoing work in our lives.

From my diary,

January 30,  2024