Word@Work, Let God's Word energise your working day!

Corporate Identity

1 Peter 2:9
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. (NIVUK)

Every business knows the importance of 'corporate identity'. Each employee and team member must understand that they are part of something which is much bigger than themselves: their role in the organisation is to contribute to the success of company objectives. God has a 'family business'. The British might call it "God and Sons", and every believer is included (Galatians 3:26). The objective of 'God's business' is that He shall be seen, praised and worshipped for His wonderful holy, righteous and omnipotent character, because He has chosen to call us out of the darkness of sin into the light of His presence.

We are not Jesus-believers by chance. We have been specially chosen and called together to work with Him and for Him.  That choice was before He made the world (Ephesians 1:4) and actioned when we heard and responded to the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). We belong to Him because He has always wanted us (2 Peter 3:9). Every believer has the privilege of direct access to God through Jesus Christ, and so we are all priests - not to offer sacrifices for sins because Jesus has already done that, once and for all (Hebrews 10:12) - but to offer praise, prayer and sacrificial service.

We have been made holy (purified and set apart for Him) through the sacrifice of Christ’s physical body (Colossians 1:22), individually and together as the Body of Christ.  That means that God has taken us out of the mess of the world (Psalm 40:2) to make us special for Himself, His kingdom and His eternal purposes.  Our holiness is not earned or deserved by us, but imputed to us by His grace (2 Timothy 1:9).  How special we are to God: not that we have anything to boast about in ourselves, but we have been made holy by the blood of Christ (Hebrews 13:12), through which we are also purchased by our new Master (Acts 20:28).
 
So, how do we show that we value the great privilege of belonging to Christ? This verse says that we are called to be a people of praise. Our lifestyle and conversations (at work, as well as home and church) should demonstrate that we serve the Lord and invite others to worship Him too. That might be easy in church, but Christ is in us wherever we go. In some ways, our worship at work may be a closer reflection of our love for Christ when we have less support from other believers. But wherever you do find other Christians at work or in virtual conversations over the internet, please arrange to join them in prayer and Bible study. Perhaps Word@Work might be the starting point for a break-time discussion, followed by prayer and then a work-style that glorifies the Lord.

Prayer 
Holy Father. Thank You for choosing me to be a part of Your family business. I have so many privileges in Christ, but I confess the times when I have sought praise and glory for myself - not representing Your interests, nor living up to Your image in me. Please help me to appreciate the gracious honour You have given to me to be so special to You, that I will overflow with praise and be a good representative for heaven on earth, with my work colleagues and in my home. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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© Dr Paul Adams