From “Stand Firm in the True Grace of God,” preached Sunday, October 18, 2020, concluding the sermon series on 1 Peter.

I am a Christian. A worshiper of the Triune God. Foreknown by the Father, set apart by the Spirit, sprinkled with the blood of Jesus. I am redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, refined in the fire of affliction; I rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. Even though I do not see Jesus now, I love him! 

I am a citizen of heaven, an elect exile. I am a child of God—by his great mercy caused to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. I hope fully. I’m called to be holy. I love earnestly. I fear my Father during this time of exile. I long for the pure milk of the Word so that I keep growing up in salvation. I have tasted that the Lord is good.

I am a living stone, part of a spiritual house, a spiritual priesthood making spiritual sacrifices of praise to God. I am part of a Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, a People for God’s Own Possession. I have been called out of darkness into his marvelous light, and now I live to proclaim his excellencies. I once was a stranger to the mercy of God—now I am drenched in mercy.

I fight to the death the sin that wages war against my soul. I honor those in authority but fear only God and hope only in God. I was straying like a sheep, but I now belong to the Shepherd and Overseer of my soul. By his wounds I am healed. By his blood, I am forgiven and free. He left me steps to follow. He gave me a mindset to adopt. I am armed to suffer. I have brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. I do not repay evil for evil. I reply with gentleness. I am not afraid of those who oppose me, for I have set apart Christ as holy in my heart—hot and ready—to give a reason for the hope that is in me. I am self-controlled and sober-minded. I show hospitality and love earnestly. I use gifts to serve one another in the strength that God supplies so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

I am not surprised by this fiery trial. I rejoice that I bear the name of Christian and make it my aim to glorify God in that name. I entrust my soul to my Faithful Creator. I humble myself under his mighty hand. I cast all my cares on him. I am persuaded he cares for me. I resist the devil. I will not let him scare me away from Jesus! After I have suffered a little while, I will be confirmed, established, strengthened, and restored—called to eternal glory in Christ. I am chosen, not forsaken. I stand firm in the true grace of God.