Know your identity and remind yourself who you belong to.
Peter reminds the scattered believers of their true identity.
1Peter 2:9-11
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 into His wonderful light(praising God helps establish our true identity). Once you were not a people(no connection), but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy.
I love the adjectives in these verses, CHOSEN, ROYAL, HOLY AND A PEOPLE BELONGING TO GOD twice.
Peter is speaking to a new church, a group which had never existed before in human history. A scattered people among the nations of their day. He’s telling them this is who they really are in God’s sight.
It is hard for a dispersed people to retain their identity when they’re living in another culture, assimilation is common. It’s much easier to go with the flow and blend into the society around us. Peter says don’t do that, don’t take that easy option,
2:11 Dear friends , I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against your soul.
We have a high calling, to live our lives as God’s people while here on earth.
Realise who we are in Christ today and live as His chosen ones, His people out of all the peoples on earth.
God bless you and help you to live out your lives for Him today and everyday.