September 30
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy,” 1 Peter 2:9-10.
The unbelieving people of the world do not think that the Christians are really anything special. Some of the unbelievers think that Christians are wasting their time and money in pursuing the work of the Church. Some think that the Christians could do a lot more good if they would devote their time, money, and efforts to social and physical issues for those who are in physical need and hurting.
Indeed, Christians will concern themselves about the physical needs of people and the needs of those who are hurting. Our Lord has told us specifically, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” Matthew 19:19. However, Christianity involves more than only doing good deeds.
Christians really are special people, not in the eyes of the unbelieving people of the world, but in the eyes of God. Peter writes, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” Of course, these special words are speaking of things that are not seen with the eyes of people. This is how God sees the Christians. They are people whom God has chosen to inherit eternal life. Christians are called a royal priesthood. Jesus has made the Christians kings and priests in the service of God our Savior. In the Book of Revelation, the apostle John writes, “To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever,” Revelation 1:5-6.
Christians are called a holy nation. Are Christians perfect people? No! We are sinners like all other people. However, we are sinners who have separated ourselves from the world and who reflect by faith the holiness of our gracious, merciful, and forgiving God. An unbeliever said to a believer, “You people think that you are better than the rest of us!” The believer responded, “We do not think that we are better than the rest of you, but we believe that we are better off than the rest of you. We have God’s promise that through faith in Jesus as God’s Son and our Savior, we live now with the forgiveness of sins and the promise that we will live with God in heaven hereafter.”
We are “His own special people.” We belong to Him through faith in Christ Jesus. Before we became Christians, we did not belong to Him; we were not His people. However, in His grace and mercy, God has called us out of spiritual darkness into the glorious light of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has called us to faith in Jesus, who suffered, died, and rose again to redeem us.
As Christians, we proclaim the praises of Him of whom John wrote, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. We are in the world witnessing to others that God loves them too, and He invites them to trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, and He promises life everlasting to all believers in Jesus.
“Lamb of God, we fall before Thee,
Humbly trusting in Thy Cross.
That alone be all our glory;
All things else are only dross.
Jesus gives us true repentance,
By His Spirit sent from heav’n;
Whispers this transporting sentence,
‘Son, thy sins are all forgiven.’
Faith He grants us to believe it,
Grateful hearts His love to prize;
Want we wisdom? He must give it,
Hearing ears and seeing eyes.” Amen.