By now, if you have been reading this week’s devotionals, you have hopefully arrived at the conclusion that the Church is not a building. The Church is a people.

Peter describes this group of people:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession…
— 1 Peter 2:9

Those are powerful words aren’t they? All who have called on the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins are a part of his Church! You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession!

Peter then tells us what our mission is as this collection of people with the rest of verse 9:

…that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
— 1 Peter 2:9

Our mission is to proclaim the excellencies of Jesus, who brought us out of darkness into the light! Everywhere we go, we proclaim the excellencies of Jesus!

Jesus saved me! Jesus loves me! Jesus forgave me of all my sins! My life was so dark and hopeless, but Jesus brought me into the light! Jesus transformed my life! Jesus saved my marriage! Jesus helped me with my anger problem! Jesus gave me joy! Jesus freed me from addiction! Jesus healed me!

Everywhere we go, we talk about Jesus, praise Jesus, worship Jesus and invite others to know Jesus because he is our everything. That is why we exist as the Church. That is our mission: to proclaim the excellencies of Jesus. As you go through the coming days and weeks, keep your mission in front of you. Look for ways to proclaim the excellencies of Jesus.