The Upward Look
© Copyright 2010, Max D. Hutto,

“Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
   1 Peter 2:10 NIV ©

Peter again uses Old Testament prophetic phrases about Israel to describe the New Testament church. He states that at one time, before placing their faith in Jesus, they were not God’s people and had not received God’s mercy. Now, however, their testimony is that they are God’s people, and He has saved them because of His great mercy. Though the believers did not deserve it and could not earn it, God showed His mercy on them by not punishing them for their sin. Thus God showed His compassion by providing forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ the Lord.

Lord God, though I did not deserve it, You saved me from my sins and gave me new life through Jesus my Savior. Help me to share my testimony with others and to tell them how they can know Your mercy.

* (footnotes & credits)

NASB ©
The Bible quotes marked NASB are from the New American Standard Bible,
© Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977,
by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA. (used with permission)

HCSB ©
The Bible quotes marked HCSB are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible,
© Copyright 2000 by Holman Bible Publishers (used with permission).

NIV ©
The Bible quotes marked NIV are from the New International Version,
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, by The International Bible Society. (used with permission)