Episode 1206
Who Gets to Be 'Chosen'? Rethinking Identity and Belonging | 1 Peter 2:9-12
The central theme of today's discourse revolves around the profound understanding of being chosen by God, as articulated in the biblical passage from 1 Peter 2:9-12. We delve into the notion that this selection is not indicative of exclusivity but rather signifies a divine responsibility to embody love, service, and goodness in our interactions with others. The episode elucidates the imperative to live as exiles in a world that frequently contradicts the values of compassion and kindness, urging us to adopt an exemplary lifestyle that reflects our beliefs without condescension. Furthermore, we explore actionable steps to manifest this calling in our daily lives, emphasizing the importance of quiet acts of goodness performed without the desire for recognition. Through this reflection, we aim to inspire a deeper connection with our faith and a commitment to living out our chosen status in a manner that uplifts and includes all.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding the term 'chosen' as a responsibility, rather than an exclusive privilege.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage in acts of goodness without seeking recognition or reward from others, embodying true humility.
- The concept of living as exiles suggests that followers of Christ must act differently from the prevailing culture, emphasizing kindness and mercy.
- Dr. Brad Miller invites listeners to join his mission of sharing the audible word of God with millions by 2028, highlighting community involvement.
- The reading today from 1 Peter illustrates that every individual has value and belongs, countering exclusionary notions present in some interpretations of faith.
- The podcast underscores the transformative power of love and acceptance, encouraging personal reflection in our daily actions.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgodddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B:Reading today from 1 Peter 2:9 12 from the Message but you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night and day difference he made for you.
Speaker B:From nothing to something, from rejected to to accept it.
Speaker B:Friends, the world is not your home, so don't make yourselves cozy in it.
Speaker B:Don't indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
Speaker B:Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices.
Speaker B:Then they'll be won over to God's side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.
Speaker B:Really a delightful passage of Scripture here today.
Speaker B:And we're going to talk today about a couple points to ponder about.
Speaker B:Basically about you are, you know, you're more than you think that you are.
Speaker B:So here's the first point.
Speaker B:Number one point to ponder.
Speaker B:Number one is chosen was never meant to be a velvet rope.
Speaker B:Now sometimes Christianity kind of gets this whole, this whole thing a little sideways.
Speaker B:We hear the word chosen people and we somehow think insiders and outsiders or us and them or saved and unsaved.
Speaker B:You know, like God is running some sort of exclusive country club and somehow we're in.
Speaker B:We made the list, but somebody else didn't.
Speaker B:I just don't think that's the case.
Speaker B:A progressive view of this reading flips that on its end.
Speaker B:Let's look at verse 10.
Speaker B:It says, quote, once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God.
Speaker B:Close quote.
Speaker B:Peter is writing to folks who were the outsiders, the excluded, the ones no one picked.
Speaker B:And here he's Saying, hey, you matter, you belong.
Speaker B:You're in.
Speaker B:So the word chosen in Scripture has never been about exclusion.
Speaker B:It's about responsibility.
Speaker B:Chosen for something.
Speaker B:To love, to bless, to serve, to declare the goodness of God.
Speaker B:It's not a velvet rope.
Speaker B:It's a calling to tear that rope down.
Speaker B:Sometimes when I think about these types of passages, I think about my granddaughters.
Speaker B:And, you know, when I'm with them, they just seem to be pretty darn accepting.
Speaker B:They're very young right now.
Speaker B:They like to play with all kinds of kids in their groups that they're part of, schools and Girl Scouts and other things they're a part of.
Speaker B:And they choose to be inclusionary.
Speaker B:Same thing with me.
Speaker B:They love me and I love them.
Speaker B:That's the kind of chosen ness Peter's talking about.
Speaker B:A love specific, that it spills over into everything else.
Speaker B:A point to ponder.
Speaker B:Here's point to ponder.
Speaker B:Number two.
Speaker B:Living as exiles means living differently, not better than.
Speaker B:Peter calls his readers.
Speaker B:Interesting turn of a phrase here.
Speaker B:He calls them foreigners and exiles.
Speaker B:Did you get that?
Speaker B:And I love the way.
Speaker B:I love that framing of that phrase because it reminds us that followers of Jesus aren't supposed to be comfortable with every value of the culture around us.
Speaker B:Certainly not the culture of cruelty, which seems to be so prevalent right now.
Speaker B:Not the culture of contempt, which many people lean into.
Speaker B:Not the culture that says your worth is based on your productivity or your politics or your racial makeup or your heritage or your language.
Speaker B:Certainly not your bank account.
Speaker B:Here is where a progressive Christianity pushes back on this us versus them.
Speaker B:Reading that many would have.
Speaker B:Being an exile doesn't mean looking down on everyone else.
Speaker B:Verse 12 says, Live such good lives among the pagans that they may see the good deeds and glorify God.
Speaker B:Notice that Peter doesn't say, argue them into believing.
Speaker B:He doesn't say shame them.
Speaker B:He says, live a life so full of goodness, so full of mercy, so full of love, that people can't help but see something beautiful.
Speaker B:On my cancer related podcast, cancer comedy.com I watch people living this out with ever realizing it, really.
Speaker B:Folks facing basically the worst news of their lives and still choosing kindness, still choosing humor and hope, still showing up for their neighbors.
Speaker B:That's a life that preaches without saying a word.
Speaker B:That's the quote, good deeds Peter is talking about.
Speaker B:Here's your action step for the day.
Speaker B:Do one quiet act of goodness with no audience, no announcement.
Speaker B:Maybe when you're in line at a.
Speaker B:At a restaurant, pay for somebody else's coffee, maybe you send a text to somebody you just been thinking about.
Speaker B:You.
Speaker B:Maybe you're going through some tough times.
Speaker B:Pick up the litter and a parking lot you go across.
Speaker B:You don't post about it, don't take a picture of it, don't brag about it.
Speaker B:Just do it.
Speaker B:Because being chosen isn't about being seen.
Speaker B:It's about being faithful in love and to love even when no one is watching.
Speaker B:We're going to pray here just a minute.
Speaker B:Before we do, just a quick reminder.
Speaker B:We have a resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker B:It's free to you head over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you can pick it up.
Speaker B:Here's our prayer God, remind me that I'm chosen.
Speaker B:Not above anyone, but alongside everyone.
Speaker B:Chosen to love well, live kindly and carry your mercy into an ordinary day.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
Speaker B:Sa.
