But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

(1 Peter 2:9)

The Bible warns us not to develop a big ego and “do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” (Romans 12:3) And there is no doubt that humility is a constant struggle. However, I have found that the opposite is also often a problem – not grasping, acknowledging and abiding in our actual status in Christ.

That passage of Romans continues, “but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Paul asks us to be realistic in our assessment of our talents and gifts. But when it comes to assessing our worth, God has a whole other criterion, one the world rarely uses. “The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) So what does your heart look like?

If we’re honest with ourselves we are all too aware of our faults and failings, struggles and secret sins. We definitely would feel uncomfortable standing before God waiting to be His anointed. In Jeremiah 17:9 even God says, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Yikes!

But Peter calls us “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.” And Paul describes us as role models: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:14-16) So which is it? How can both be true?

It's all about being ‘in Christ.’ If we are in Christ, then He is in us. His precious blood covers our sin, and His Holy Spirit resides in us to comfort and guide us. This allows us to be reconciled with God so that He no longer sees or remembers our sin and shame, but instead sees us as righteous. In Christ we are no longer sinners, but saints. In Christ we have been adopted into God’s family as sons and daughters of the King who will all inherit His kingdom. In Christ “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13) In Christ we are more than conquerors. In Christ we will spend eternity in God’s presence, whole and perfect, just as in the Garden of Eden.

“Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT) As we mature in Christ, we become more Christlike. Less of us and more of Him. Today, when you look in the mirror, you know what you’ll see? A reflection of Christ which you can reflect out into our weary, faith-starved world every day.

You are royalty! You are a precious, worthy, worthwhile Child of God, full of spirit and power, created to do good works and advance God’s kingdom, and He will use you for that purpose. Know this truth, treasure this truth and live out this truth daily.

Your sister princess in Christ 👑,

Jen