You do not need me to tell you that as believers, we live in a world that is not our home, but desperately needs God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. In response to this reality, Peter writes in First Peter on how then a believer ought to live. Peter describes how God’s sanctifying work in the life of a believer produces Christlike love for others. This love is not to be expected from those who don’t know Christ, because it can only be produced in a life filled with the Spirit of God and empowered by Him. In the most genuine sense, a person must be in fellowship with Christ to live like Christ. Peter explains that our living like Christ is rooted in the fact that we have been called by God and to live on mission with Him.
Peter writes, in First Peter 2:4-5, that God has actually called us to walk in fellowship with Him. Peter presents us with an image of Christ being the foundation of a cathedral and believers being the bricks stacked upon Him in its construction. He also draws from the Old Testament priesthood and sacrifices to pronounce that every believer today is a priest, unto the Lord, who is to present Him with spiritual sacrifices. When we offer God our lives and offer Him our love as well as love others, He accepts it as an offering with joy.
Peter continues, in First Peter 2:6-8, to describe how a believer who lives in fellowship with God treasures Christ. If we are being built into a cathedral or spiritual house, we can be confident of what God is making, because Christ is not just its foundation, but the chief cornerstone. Therefore those who believe in Christ for their salvation and sanctification (becoming more like Christ) will never regret it. In contrast, those who reject Christ have no firm foundation on which to build their life. They will pay the penalty of their choice. In fact, Peter explains that they will stumble and continue to stumble over the Truth that is Christ. The simple truth for the believer is that God wants to do more in and through us then they could ever imagine.
Then, in First Peter 2:9-10, Peter explains that those who walk in fellowship with God, not only cherish Christ but live on mission with Him. We have been created to live on mission with God. We are His precious possession because we belong to Him, and He loves us and calls us to partner with Him to share His love and message with others. God desires the whole world to live in right relationship with Him. He desires you and me, our families, neighbors, co-workers, and schoolmates to enter into a saving relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. His divine plan is for His followers to partner with Him in life and mission. In other words, all believers are called to be everyday missionaries.
Everyday missionaries are those who practice a life on mission where God has placed them. Everyday missionaries understand the prayer “God’s Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven” to mean, “God’s Kingdom come in my home…in my neighborhood…in my workplace…in my school…as it is in heaven.” When we choose to join God on His mission as His church, we allow him to use our ordinary life to do extraordinary things.
No doubt, we live in a world where we battle culture, our own weaknesses, and our enemy the devil. It is often against the current that we walk with God. But, it is a possible walk because believers are led and empowered by God’s Spirit. We can see “God’s Kingdom come and His will be done” as we
…Answer God’s calling of us to walk in fellowship.
…Treasure Christ.
…Live on mission with God.
Imagine how such a walk with Christ would impact you and me, our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces, schools, and yes, our region for God’s glory.
I am so honored to be on mission with God along with each of you. We can press on in confidence, no matter the circumstance, because we know that our foundation in Christ is rock solid and He cherishes us. Therefore, let’s live on mission with Him so the world will know the love and saving work of our God. Soli Deo Gloria (glory to God alone)!