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 NIV
In verse nine of chapter two in his first epistle, Peter presents four attributes of those who believe in Christ. First, he calls the followers of Christ a chosen people. Next, Peter writes that Christians are a royal priesthood and a holy nation. Finally, Peter calls Christians “God’s special possession.”
Called out of darkness into God’s light, we repent from sin and submit in obedience to the will of God. In doing so, we become God’s special possession. We are no witnesses to the goodness and grace of God. We received God’s grace. In return, we present ourselves as holy. Altogether, a holy nation. As a royal priesthood, we demonstrate the love of God in the world. We spread the good news of the gospel as Christ commanded in Mark 16:15 saying, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
Your Loving Kindness
Before Christ, only Israel enjoyed the status of God’s chosen people. After Christ, people of all nations become citizens in God’s holy kingdom by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Before Christ, only Jews from the Hebrew tribe of Levi became priests. After Christ, each believer is a member of a royal priesthood with direct access to God through his Son, Jesus Christ. As the final atonement sacrifice for our sins, the risen Christ is the ultimate high priest continually and eternally interceding between man and God.
When Peter writes of Christians as “God’s special possession,” he means this in a literal sense. As Christians, we belong to God. In this, we know that God cares for us and corrects us, loving each of us as his own child. God’s love is worthy of praise. Calling us from the darkness of sin into the light of his grace, God forgave our sins as a testament to his goodness and mercy. As David wrote in Psalm 63:3, “Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. WEB”
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for calling me out of the darkness of my sin. Thank you for shining your light on me. Lead me away from temptation and into a life that is pleasing to you. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Head of the Body
