People of God - Monday 1st May 2006

Over the Easter weekend our church community at St Matthew’s met together in different ways; a walk of witness through the town, a day of community action, a family communion, a service of baptisms, a walk in the Cotswolds to name a few examples. This week we will look at different biblical pictures of the church.

 

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

 

Once we ask for and receive Christ’s forgiveness, receive his mercy, we become people of God. Our baptism is an outward demonstration to the world of what has happened within us, of our becoming one of God’s people; a symbol of our being cleansed from sin, of dying to the old life and being born again in Christ, of being filled with the ‘living water’ of the Holy Spirit. On Easter Sunday several of our fellow Christians committed or recommitted themselves to be people of God at the baptism service at Ken Marriot; a service of great joy, celebration and rejoicing.

 

Today, take time to think back on your own baptism, or the time that you committed to become one of God’s people. What does that commitment mean for you? What does that commitment mean for your life today? Do those around you know what you stand for?

 

Then, praise the Lord, in whichever way you want. Thank God that through Christ you now belong to him. Go out today with a smile and live and work in the power of Jesus as one of his chosen people.