Identity of a Christian - Part 12
1 Peter 2:1-10
The Bible warns against hardening the heart against Him. He does not take any pleasure in the death of the wicked. His desire is for the wicked to turn to Him and be saved. If the wicked person chooses to continue in his or her wickedness, God is not obligated to give them a good end. They have chosen a path that leads to destruction and they do not want it any other way.
1 Peter 2:9
“9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”
Those that are saved are a chosen generation. They are chosen because they responded to God’s call to salvation. God’s call to salvation is going out to all mankind. Just as the disobedient in verse 8 chose not to obey God, here in verse 9, the obedient chose to obey God. Thus they are the chosen generation. They are also a royal priesthood. It is true from Hebrews 4:14 that Jesus Christ is the “great high priest.” In that capacity, He alone has the right to go into the presence of God with His own blood and provide the only means of salvation for all mankind. No one can take that place. No one can assist in that place. Jesus Christ alone is the great high priest. Peter tells us that those who are saved are a royal priesthood. Those who are saved have been granted the privilege of making intercession before God in Jesus name, on behalf of others. It is not that some people cannot come to God’s throne of grace by themselves through Jesus name, but those who are saved are called upon to pray for others. That is the ministry of a priest. We are a royal priesthood. Jesus Christ is not only the great high priest, but He is also the King. Thus the royalty. Those who are saved are truly a privileged people. None that are saved earned that privileged place. They simply obeyed God’s call to salvation, and thus were forgiven and adopted into the family of God. This is a great blessing that God alone can provide for those who are saved.
The born again Christian is also a holy nation. There are many nations in our world today. Within each nation are some who are more quiet and content to just live their lives. There are others who are more aggressive and look to be superior over others. Thus there are fights and wars and other criminal activity that takes place. Peter was directed to remind those who are saved that they are a holy nation. This holy nation is not restricted to a certain locality on earth. They are chosen from every nation upon earth. The fact that they have been saved brings them into this place of a holy nation. To be holy is to be morally blameless, to be pure. This purity does not come from the person, but it comes from God. God provides the means to be holy. That is through the blood of Jesus Christ.