Read
1Peter 1:1-7 (NIV)
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Reflect

How do you answer the question: “Who are you?”

Depending on the setting or the group asking the question I answer in different ways: I am a Canadian, I am from Dutch decent, I am a carpenter by trade, I am a husband, a father, a pastor and maybe I could dream up a couple of additional answers. 

Peter invites followers of Jesus to profess an answer like this: “I am one of God’s elect, chosen to be part of God’s family spread throughout the world.”  Peter was writing to a church community that was facing persecution for its faith in Christ, ridicule for the way they lived and challenged for their work, ministry and purpose for being. Peter wants them to know he sees them much differently.  They are God’s chosen people, children of God whose citizenship is eternal and in heaven. These people are holy children of God and they are in possession of the holy character of Christ, they are living children of God who are given to glorify God
(1Peter 4:7-11).

You may have lots of ways to tell people who you are but never forget that you are sons and daughters of Almighty God. You are his possession, you are loved, forgiven, heirs of the kingdom along with Jesus, you are much more than you can even imagine because God chose you to one of his. 

Pray
Lord thank you for choosing me and making me one of your children. Help me not to believe that I only have the value that the world places on me.  Amen.