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1 Peter 2:10<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n who once<\/span> were<\/span><\/em> not a people but<\/span> are<\/span><\/em> now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n God shows us mercy because He wants to, not because we want Him to.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Greek word translated \u201conce<\/span>\u201d is pote<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cat some time,\u201d \u201cpreviously,\u201d or \u201cin the past.\u201d It does not mean \u201cone time,\u201d as might be inferred from this translation.<\/p>\n \u201cA people<\/span>\u201d is translated from laos<\/span><\/em>, which refers to \u201ca group of people joined together by a common trait.\u201d This common trait can be ancestry, locality, experience, or beliefs.<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Prior to the time of Christ, the only people who were considered the people of God were the Israelites. In fact, there is a bit of a play on words in the previous verse. The word translated as \u201cnation\u201d in the previous verse (holy nation) is the generic term for a race or a tribe and is the term that Israelites used for all gentiles (those who are not Israelites). The Israelites believed that any gentile was outside the choosing and blessing of God.<\/p>\n Here Peter is saying that we who had been considered outside the blessing of God, we who were not the people of God, now are the people of God. We, who had not received mercy because we were outside of God\u2019s chosen few, have now received mercy because we are<\/em> His chosen few.<\/p>\n The prophet Hosea predicted this millennia ago:<\/p>\n and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them<\/span> who<\/span> were<\/span> not my people, You are my people; and they shall say, You are<\/span> my God. <\/span><\/span>(Hosea 2:23<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n And, the Apostle Paul said it this way:<\/p>\n Wherefore remember, that you being<\/span> in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between<\/span> us<\/span>; <\/span><\/span>(Ephesians 2:11-14<\/span><\/strong>)<\/p>\n Some people believe that the doctrine of election produces lazy Christians. After all, if God chose me to be saved, doing all the work Himself, and He has promised never to lose me, all I have to do is sit back and enjoy it, right? But if we see it through Peter\u2019s eyes, we see how priceless the gift is, and we realize how unworthy we are. This should drive us to our knees in humble thanksgiving and cause us to lift our hands in praise to Him. It should also motivate us to serve Him in whatever capacity He has called us to, with determination and humility.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Give praise to God who has broken down the wall and has drawn us to Himself out of the darkness into His marvelous light and has declared us righteous through faith. Through His grace, we have the greatest gift of all, and we don\u2019t deserve it!<\/p>\n Now, what are you going to do about it?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
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