Different Because of Christ

When we reflect back on our lives before we came to salvation in Christ, many could almost write a soap opera or at least a major drama that had no positive outcomes. Several would be able to look back and not really see anything that exciting or evil in their lives; those individuals were basically good, especially the younger they were. Some would consider their lives before Jesus about as interesting as an infomercial. Regardless of what your past was or is, it was without Christ. And we know that without Christ, life has no hope.

Doug Oldham demonstrated a love of music early on, and he would go on to sing for presidents and the queen of England.

Along the way, however, Doug struggled with his identity. A self-confessed prescription drug abuser and family abuser, he drifted from one job to another. Finally his wife, Laura Lee, took their daughters and left him.

Praying to find something worth living for, Doug encountered his own Damascus Road experience, put his life back together and launched a traveling solo ministry with help from a young pianist and songwriter named Bill Gaither.

I used to have a copy of his book, I Don’t Live There Anymore, there are a couple of memories that have stayed with me for over 40 years. One speaks of a time when confronted about his past life and how he could possibly be such a different person. To which he responded, I don’t live there anymore. Another attempted accusation by the enemy of our souls sought to condemn Doug Oldham for his past wicked life. Doug Oldham responded by explaining that Jesus Christ took all of his sins and gathered them all together. Then because of the cross, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, he flung those sins to the deepest ocean. Then God posted a no fishing sign there.

Gaither wrote a number of songs to reflect Doug’s experience, including “Something Worth Living For” and “Thanks to Calvary (We Don’t Live Here Anymore).” And Doug was the first artist to record the classic “He Touched Me.”

In 1975, I actually had the privilege of being at a concert where The Speer Family and Doug Oldham shared in worship. It was an incredibly moving experience.

Skeptics doubted Oldham would be able to put his life back together. He proved them wrong. Doug and Laura Lee celebrated 58 years of marriage before his death. And his powerful singing voice tempered by tender emotion became known around the world. Even at his funeral in 2010, there were at least half a dozen Gaither songs sung, the presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ was given, and there was even an altar call for those who were still living in sin to experience being different because of Christ by accepting Jesus as their Savior.

We are truly different now because we are no longer who we used to be.

1 Peter 2:9–10 NASB95

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Let’s look at some of the differences we experience as Christians because of Christ.

Separated Because of Christ - 2:9c

We are no longer part of the world’s system. We no longer identify with the peoples that live on this planet on their own power and strength. We are a holy nation. Literally, we are a separate or set apart people. Geography and ethnicity have nothing to do with being this holy nation. It is all based upon Christ.

What does this mean for us? How does this practically make us different?

We are no longer part of the world’s system. We no longer identify with the peoples that live on this planet on their own power and strength. We are a holy nation.

Obviously, we serve Jesus and not ourselves or any other system. We don’t belong to any nation or country, but only to God. The Bible tells us that we are not even our own, but we belong to God. But we also need to consider what we are leaving behind. If we had stayed where we were without Christ, we would be condemned by God, along with everyone else who doesn’t have that saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

We are also separated from the world in that we are not enslaved to practice sin, but rather to practice holy living for God’s glory. Since we are citizens of heaven, we follow God’s laws and we live for Him. We could not have possibly accomplished that before Christ since we only could rely on our strength and that which the world offers. However, now we can live holy lives since we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us and enabling and empowering us to be able to do so.

As a holy nation, we are set apart because we have the righteousness of Christ given to us and God continues to do a good work in us to shape us into the image of Jesus Christ.

Purchased By Christ - 2:9d

Have you ever considered yourself a prized possession? That’s exactly what we are according to Peter, as he refers to his readers and us as a people for God’s own possession. You see, the word possession means to purchase, to acquire for a price. We belong to God because Jesus paid the supreme price for us.

That’s interesting when you think about it. Every single person on this planet is not their own. They may think they’re in charge of themselves and nobody else has a right to them. However, according to the Bible, one is either a slave of Satan or a slave of God. Satan truly enslaves his people at a cost which that person will pay. We understand that when we were unsaved, we belonged to Satan and fit in with the world.

Those who are slaves of God are the only one who are truly free, according to Jesus’ own words.

Those who are slaves of God are the only one who are truly free, according to Jesus’ own words.

Called to Salvation in Christ - 2:9f

Peter helps us to understand how we came to be slaves or possessions of God in the last part of verse 9: who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

It has been suggested that in our world, one can experience two kinds of darkness. One is in how we think, commonly referred to as ignorance. This is simply an inability or an unwillingness to look at information as it actually is and come to a logical conclusion of understanding. We see a lot of that in the world all around us.

However, Peter is referring to a moral darkness. Bob Utley describes this: Darkness and light are biblical metaphors of sin, rebellion, and evil versus hope, truth, healing, and goodness.

Darkness and light are biblical metaphors of sin, rebellion, and evil versus hope, truth, healing, and goodness

We saw and experienced this before Christ came into our lives or the lives of others. We scratch our collective heads, puzzled by the seeming inability by so many to know the difference between right and wrong. According to the Bible, we know that Satan is the prince of darkness. He is involved in all that sets itself against God. Those who are living their lives without Christ are actually children of darkness. Sadly, it seem that they enjoy the darkness, according to .

So what makes us different? God has called {us} out of darkness. The fascinating thing we discover is that when any of the writers in the New Testament letters uses the Greek word Peter uses here for called, it almost always refers to God’s calling of His children to salvation. It is the same type of picture of when God spoke and creation took place. In the word itself is an understanding that this call is part of God’s sovereign will and choice and it will happen.

It’s almost a picture of being rescued out of darkness, a place where nobody is different than anyone else, to being called into His marvelous light, in which that person is completely different. As a result, it’s as if the darkness has been removed so we can clearly see. The blinds have been taken off our spiritual eyes so we can have clarity in the light. Then the Holy Spirit enables us to make the right decisions to follow God and live wholeheartedly for Him.

Received By Christ - 2:10

The glory of this is that we finally have an identity with Christ. Without Him, we were no better than wanderers with no place to call home. Without Him, we were subject to God’s wrath.

In reading verse 10, you probably are thinking that this sounds very much like the words from Hosea’s prophecy. Though Israel was formerly condemned for their rebelliousness and disobedience, God’s mercy came through and they would once again be His people; all who repented and followed after God

However, according to verse 10, Peter’s readers and we have a home for we are the people of God. We are different because we have received mercy and are no longer subject to God’s wrath which formerly we deserved. Lest anyone become arrogant about this, realize that none of us deserve mercy. However, because of God’s sovereign choice and will, we are privileged to experience that mercy and do not have to experience the rightful punishment, because it was given to Christ on the cross.

Proclaiming for Christ - 2:9e

So what’s the catch? How is it that we are different because of Christ and what does that mean for the days ahead?

The purpose seems to be found back in the latter part of verse 9: so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him. Wayne Grudem states: The answer to our search for ultimate meaning lies in ‘declaring the excellencies’ of God, for he alone is infinitely worthy of glory. Redemption is ultimately not man-centered but God-centered.

The answer to our search for ultimate meaning lies in ‘declaring the excellencies’ of God, for he alone is infinitely worthy of glory. Redemption is ultimately not man-centred but God-centred.

Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 17, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1988), 119.

Ultimately, that is our calling as followers of Christ. The word for proclaim simply means to publish, to tell out, advertise. Folks, be a witness. We are actually a living advertisement, as Warren Wiersbe calls us. Share your testimony of what Christ has done for you. The world truly doesn’t understand this or even know about it.

What do we proclaim? His excellencies are what we are to share. The word actually implies unbelievable, heroic and powerful feats. It has been stated that His excellencies or praises involve both worship and evangelism. Everything that points to God and causes others to look to God, we are to proclaim.

I cannot think of a greater feat than what Jesus did on Calvary’s cross when He defeated Satan, sin, and the power of sin. Except maybe I need to add to that the incredible miracle of God transforming my life from being without any hope or future to a life filled with all the promises of God in Christ Jesus.

My friends, can you think of anything more glorious than to be able to proclaim what Jesus has done for you and what He wants to do for others in pointing them to salvation in Jesus Christ?

We are truly different now because we are no longer who we used to be.

We are truly different now that we are no longer who we used to be.