WE ARE A CHOSEN PEOPLE

PROCLAMATION

“But ye are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”  1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the Apostle Peter, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God, to the believers who scattered after the crucifixion of Christ. (1 Peter 1:1-2)  Peter began this second chapter by telling them to rid themselves of all malice and evil traits, and to crave The Word of God like newborn babies crave milk. (1 Peter 2:1-3)  Then he told them that they were a special people, like living stones built into a spiritual house similar to Christ who is the spiritual cornerstone. (1 Peter 2:4-7)  He told them that they were also special because they were chosen by God to be His special possession.  They were part of a royal priesthood, a holy nation, called by God. (1 Peter 2:9)  Then Peter urged them to abstain from sinful desires and to live good lives among the pagans of the world. (1 Peter 2:11-12)  He told them to obey the law of the land, as long as it did not conflict with the law of God. (1 Peter 2:13-17)  He ended by reminding them of the things that Christ went through and suffered before he bore all of their sins on the cross. (1 Peter 2:21-25)

 

APPLICATION

It is sometimes hard to see ourselves as a special people when we are suffering and going through the midst of a storm, but we are the elect people of God, chosen from before the beginning of time.  We have a special calling on our lives because we are His people.  In this chapter we are reminded to crave The Word of God and to abstain from sinful worldly desires. (1 Peter 2:9-11)  We are to live Christ-like lives as we walk among the lost in this sin-sick world.  We are the light of the world, (Matthew 5:14) a beacon light to lead the lost to Christ.  All of us may not be called to be preachers, but we are all called to live in such a way that others can see Christ within us.  We are a purchased people; Christ paid it all for us.  We ought to be grateful to Him and it ought to show in our behavior.