Our own happiness is not the purpose of our salvation.

Posted : 12 Jun, 2012 02:29 AM

Bible Reading:



1 Peter 2:9�10



Bible Text:



... that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Pet. 2:9).



Devotional:



In this one sentence, God tells why he has arranged for his people to live in this world. This is why God called Abraham, formed Israel, saved a remnant, and brought together a new people: God's people exist for God's glory.



When God's people "declare the praises" or "proclaim the mighty acts" of their God, they are the high point of God's manifestation of himself in the world. Sun, stars, fields, and oceans tell of God's wisdom, power, and other majestic attributes. But God's children witness to the fact that he redeems and saves and loves!



Our own happiness is not the purpose of our salvation. It is a fringe benefit that comes as part of the package. The goal of salvation is the revelation of God's glory. God has chosen and redeemed us to manifest his name in sermons and cups of cold water, in our support of the weak and our rebuke of the oppressor.



Worldly people don't read the Bible. They read Christians. And that's all right, because we were appointed to serve that purpose. The radiance of God himself is reflected in people who live, laugh, suffer, and die in the sunshine of God's grace.



We are not yet what we would like to be. But God can pour into our lives the beauty that will bring credit to his name.



by the Rev. Andrew Kuyvenhoven

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