9 But you are a chosen people, 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; 10 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.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (NASB) 中文 

Different destiny

In the previous passage, Peter is talking about Christ the living, precious cornerstone. We believe in Him but unbelievers stumble over Him…as “they were also appointed” (v8). In contrast, followers of Christ, those who believe in Him as the cornerstone, have a different situation, a different relationship, a different destiny.

Who are we then?

We used to be among the unbelievers. But by His grace, we have been changed. We’ve been called out of darkness to light. Let’s itemize who we are now

• Chosen people / Holy nation. In the OT, God chose Abraham and made a (chosen) nation, Israel, from him. Others, not chosen, are Gentiles. But now, in Christ, we are chosen. “[J]ust as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” (Ephesians 1:4)
• Royal priesthood. We just studied in 1 Peter 2:4 that we are priests for God. This is a holy calling, a sanctified service to the God of creation.
• God’s possession. Wow! Think about it. We are God’s personal possession. I would add, treasured possession. Do you get the sense of security and protection, of specialness? And let’s understand that He possesses us, not we possess God.
• Called / transferred to light. In Colossians 1:13 Paul writes, “For He rescued us from the [v]domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [w]His beloved Son”. This is not like transferring planes on an intercontinental journey or getting a new job in a better location; it’s heavenly in magnitude affecting our eternal destiny.
• Recipients of mercy. Have you heard how to understand mercy, justice and grace? Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we do not deserve. Due to our sin, we deserve judgment and eternal separation from God. Because of His mercy, God has, through Christ, forgiven us so that we do not receive judgment. By grace, He has given us sonship, made us His possession, given us a role as priests, and promises us eternal life with Him.

Why are we chosen?

But why has God done all this? Why are we chosen, etc? It’s not just for our own benefit, for our glory and eternal bliss. Though these are important, even to God, He has bigger plans. He has saved us and appointed us to declare His praises! This is our ultimate purpose in life. The Westminster Shorter Catechism summarizes our purpose in life: to “glorify God and enjoy Him forever”.

RЯeflection

• Have you accepted God’s grace toward you by confessing and repenting of your sins and believing Christ paid the penalty to restore you into a right relationship with God?  If not, click here.
• Have you taken time to give God thanks for His mercy and grace toward us who believe? One who does not deserve it and has done nothing to earn it. In fact, we did the opposite, we sinned, to, in a way, assure that we do not receive it. Let’s take time right now to praise and thank our God. May it permeate our soul and transform us.