Who are You in Christ?

I woke up to St. Peter today. I love it when that happens. It's like a tap on the shoulder from God "Psst, baby, wake up!" When my granddaughter Eva stays here, she wakes me up with a tap, "Pookie, wake up, the sun is out!" Love it!
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Peter was an apostle of Jesus Christ, he was one of the first followers of Christ. Peter was a spokesman, eloquent, ready with a word in an instant, bold, unafraid of controversy, excitable, oh so excitable!
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The writings of Peter in the Bible intend to clarify Christian doctrine, to prepare and persuade Christians to live the Christian life (both for their own peace and for disarming criticism), and to prepare Christians for suffering.
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So when I was awakened by the Apostle's words breezing through my head, I was quite honored. Has it been 2,000 years since this man lived? 2,000 years and his words remain. Spirit filled words. Words that bring healing, instruction, reproof.

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Read I Peter chapter 2. It starts with a blast.
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"Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."

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Anybody who has spent any time with me recently knows exactly why this passage was whispered in my ear, gently waking me from slumber. Such slumber! I'll be chewing these verses for a long time, memorizing, reminding, practicing....
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I love me some Matthew Henry. In his commentary, he says:
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"malice is anger resting in the bosom of fools, settled overgrown anger..."

Anger. Resting in the bosom of fools. Settled. Overgrown.
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I have to stay here and meditate awhile, but I want you to move on. What I love about I Peter 2 is the portrait he paints of who we are in Christ -- not who we are in verses 1-3, no, baby, move on. Peter says we are:
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chosen, called, God's elect, purchased, purified, regenerated, redeemed, pilgrims, servants, slaves, Christ's examples, royal priests, aliens, strangers, living stones, lively stones, sojourners, a holy nation, a people of God.
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Which title do you need for today, to prepare your mind for action today? Remember if you have put your trust and faith in Christ, if you, too, are a follower of Christ as St. Peter was, "you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers."

I Peter 1:13

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."

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"God gives a hand to those down on their luck,

gives a fresh start to those ready to quit."

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Psalm 145:14 The Message