1 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 marvellous light: 10: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.” |
This word does not mean that Yahweh's people are to be odd, strange or weird in any way. Rather, the people of the Most High are a ‘special treasure,’ ‘beyond the ordinary’ and a ‘people for acquisition.’ Let us further examine their peculiarities.
We are to be Obedient | |
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Exodus 19: | 5: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people...”
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Deuteronomy 14: | 1: “Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2. For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” |
Our aim should be to do good works! | |
Titus 2: | 14: “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
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We should produce good spiritual fruit | |
Galatians 5: | 22: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23: Meekness, temperance: against these there is no law.” |
We are to be a holy people | |
Deuteronomy 28: | 9: “The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. 10: And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD and they shall be afraid of thee.” |
Ephesians 1: | 4: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”
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1 Peter 1: | 16: “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” |
1 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 marvellous light.” |
Romans 10: | 11: “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15: And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” |
Here's where the preacher and the ordinary true believer come into the picture: for we are to take the Gospel to all the world (Matthew 28: 19-20). That is our commission. Yes, believe it or not, that is the sacred task believers are expected to become involved in. We are to give to the Most High the glory due His name so that others will put their trust in Him and live. That is the main purpose of praising God. I repeat: we praise Him not to flatter Him; but that others may turn to Him, trust Him, accept His offer of salvation and live for eternity!
2 Peter 3: | 9: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” |
A member of the chosen race — | He chose us, we didn't choose Him |
A special treasure — | This indicates your value |
Above the ordinary — | Make this a reality in your life |
A royal priesthood — | This is your sacred employment |
A holy nation — | Holiness is the supreme goal |
The true believer is one of the most privileged persons on earth. In the Kingdom we will all appreciate the full extent of this fact, which now we know only in part. Future sermons in this category will deal with great men and women of God whose lives testify to the fact that they were Yahweh's peculiar people, His special spiritual treasure!