THE QUALITY OF GOD’S PEOPLE

“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 marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

I. A Chosen People

“But ye are a chosen generation …” (1 Peter 2:9).

A. Chosen—“Selected from a number; picked out; choice; elect” (Webster).

B. We are not chosen because of race, creed, talent, money, or our works (Titus 3:5).

C. We are chosen because God loves and had mercy on us (John 3:16).

The Greek words actually mean a chosen or elect race. Peter takes the term from the Old Testament where God stated the same thing about Israel.

“My people, my chosen. This people have I formed for myself” (Is. 43:20–21).

The idea is that of a new race of people . This is a shocking statement to some people; nevertheless it is exactly what the Word of God explains.

one might ask, How can it be that believers from China, Russia, Asia, Africa, India, Europe, America, the Islands, Canada, and all the other nations of the world form a new race of people? He does is By the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is changing people inwardly, not outwardly. He is not changing facial and skin features, God is changing people within their hearts and minds.

II. A Royal People

“Ye are a … royal priesthood …” (1 Peter 2:9).

A. Royal—“Characteristic of or befitting a king; magnificent; kingly; majestic” (Webster).

B. God’s people are royal because of their adoption into the family of God (Rom. 8:14–15).

C. God’s people are royal because of their relationship to the triune God (Rom. 8:16–17).

Note the word royal, a royal priesthood. This simply means that we are priests of royalty, who belong to the Sovereign Majesty of the God, the King of kings and Lord of lords. We are the priesthood of God Himself, the priests who rule and reign with Christ and who serve and worship God face to face, day by day, hour by hour and moment by moment. We are the priests who live and move and have our being in His presence, who walk and live in open communion with Him.

III. A Holy People

“Ye are a … holy nation …” (1 Peter 2:9).

A. Holy—“Set apart to the worship of God; spiritually whole—unimpaired innocence or proved virtue; godly” (Webster).

B. We should willingly set ourselves apart to the worship of God by giving ourselves to Him in surrender and consecration. (Rom. 12:1).

C. The Holy Spirit cleanses the heart of the surrendered Christian and gives him power for service.

This is a very meaningful title for believers. God is building a new nation of people. He is drawing people from all over the world, people from all the nations of the world, and creating a new nation. What is the nation? It is the holy nation of God.

The word holy (hagios) means separated, set apart, and different. Any person who is willing to separate from the sin and evil of this world and set his or her life apart unto God, God will take that person and make them a citizen of His holy nation. This is what holy means: to be different from the world, from its sin, evil, and death. It means to be separated from the evil life of the world and set apart to the holy life of God. The person who turns to God becomes a citizen of God’s holy nation:

IV. A Peculiar People

“Ye are a … peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).

A. Peculiar—“Belonging to an individual; privately owned; not common—private property” (Webster).

B. The Christian who completely belongs to God is not his own. This sets him apart and makes him different from the world.

C. We should glorify God by giving Him first place in our lives.