1 Peter 2.1-12
Having encouraged believers to stand firm in the face of opposition, to choose righteousness when faced with temptation to sin, to desire maturity as a child of God, and to remember the gracious work of the Lord in salvation, Peter reminds them of their position and purpose in Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (1 Peter 1.9-10). We are a people who had been lost in sin, condemned for judgment, and children of Satan; now, by the grace and mercy of God and through the sacrifice and powerful resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have been made the people of God, His redeemed children.
We are called a chosen race; those who have been sovereignly selected by God to be the recipients of Christ’s atonement. We are a royal priesthood; those who have been made royalty as members of the family of the eternal Father; those who have been called to serve the Lord, having the privilege of intercession before His Throne as we offer ourselves to Him. We are a holy nation; being made citizens of the heavenly community, serving under the reign of our righteous King Jesus. We are a people for his own possession; belonging to God through the redemptive purchase of Jesus Christ by His blood. Having been called by God and given this holy identity, Peter reminds us that we have been called for purpose: that we may proclaim the excellencies of the Lord, as He is the one and only one being able to call us out of darkness into his marvelous light. He has saved us that we would be testimonies of His greatness and love; that we would bear witness to His majesty and glory; that we would clearly and boldly, yet humbly, ever declare His most excellent salvation.
Belonging to the Father – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 