1st Peter 2:9. “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 marvelous light:” GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR US. This all started way back in the mind of God Before the world was made – There would be a unique family Among all the families of earth and heaven – God chose to be the Son’s holy Bride.
He came down from heaven, for a time lower than angels, That He might be like them, apart from sin – He experienced everything they could to the fullest extent – And then seated them in the highest with Him.
He made them different; they are a work of God’s doing For even though sin is all around – They are a set-apart nation, holy in character – Through them all families see how grace does abound. Some look with antagonism, others with delight – As they see God’s glory unfold. Seraphim hover, angels burst into praise, As the story of God’s Son is told.
Forever these people will be a special possession of His. To make them His, His life willingly gave. Through that act of redemption, He purchased His people, Who will declare forever, “It is Christ alone that saves!” As a priesthood of people who represent Him on earth – An elect generation, a holy nation who God blesses – We who have come from darkness to life; given new life – Will be forever declaring His glory by our praises.
“O God, who is worthy to be praised forever, I come this morning with thoughts of Thyself, Thy Son and Thy glory that I can’t seem to get out in words. Please take these feeble thoughts of appreciation and words of praise. In the name of the Lord jesus Christ, Amen.”
When we put our energy and resources at God's disposal, and trust Him to guide us, our spiritual priesthood becomes real to us. Peter never claimed to be the foundation of the church. He confirms, as did the apostle Paul, that there is "no other foundation." The Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock of ages, is the Chief Corner Stone the church is built upon. Those who out their trust in Him will not be ashamed. Some people stumble over Christ because they have rejected Him or refuse to believe He is who He says He is. "The stupidity of the experts," "the stone which the builders rejected," reveals the foolishness of those who suppose themselves to be builders. That Stone will cause them to fall. They disobeyed the message of the Gospel and because of that are destined to fall.
The royal priesthood of which each believer is a part, has the responsibility of bringing people to God. Believers have been designated, chosen by God for this specific purpose. As a holy nation we are united with all the saints of God in acting as intermediaries between God and sinful people. This is "the ministry of reconciliation" to which we must be committed. This special possession of God is an unusual, peculiar people. Our calling is to demonstrate publicly the praises we have of God for the grace that brought us from the darkness of sin into the light of salvation.
Our relationship with God is not based on our jobs, our accomplishments, our wealth, our education or our self- concept of success. Our worth as persons comes from being children of God. It is because of what God has done that there is any value in what we do in life. It is our privilege as spiritual priests to declare to the world the greatness, the glory and the authority of our God.
Before we were saved, there was no real purpose for God in us because we were in darkness. We were in our sins under His condemnation. Disobedience and self-will separated us from Him. But when we came to Him as sinners who needed forgiveness and accepted His offered mercy, now we live with a purpose and are able to be reconcilers in Christ's name. We are able with authority to call people to be reconciled to God, and when that happens, there is blessing that lasts.