I PETER 2:9-10: “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; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

OBSERVATION: Am I living up to my full potential? This is the question that comes to my heart as I read these two verses. To be a child of God is no ordinary thing. It is not something that we have earned or accomplished. It is something that has been given to us as a gift – by grace through faith. We are called, we are chosen, we are redeemed by His tender mercies. We have been given an new identity, a new name, and a new purpose. We are…

* A chosen generation
* A royal priesthood
* His own special people
* Children of light
* The people of God
* Recipients of His Mercy

We are now called to a new purpose and a new destiny. We are called to proclaim His praises by what we do, by who we are, and by how we act. We are called to live up to our potential!

Have you ever noticed how you act differently when you are in your finest clothes, or when you are dressed up to be part of a wedding? They say that clothes make the man. It is not that clothes change a man intrinsically, but they do change the way a man sees himself, and thus how he acts. Our calling in Christ is more than just a new set of clothes. We have been changed intrinsically! We have been given a new heart, a new spirit – and His new set of clothes, the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This should radically affect every area of our life.

The enemy does not want us to understand who we are in Christ. He wants us to see ourselves as continued failures wearing the torn rags of our sin and shame. Through faith in Jesus Christ we have been washed clean by His Blood! We have been called and chosen! We are a new creation in Him! We need to begin to see His reflection in us and our brothers and sisters in Christ. This will change the way we act toward ourselves, others, and how we reach out to the world. Through His Grace we can live up to this new potential! Lord, grant me Your Grace to do so today and every day. May my life be a testimony of praise for You in all that I am and do. In Jesus Name!