1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Peter is referring to Exodus 19:5-6, which I call the mission statement of ancient Israel. This becomes the mission statement also for the new Israel, those who believe in the Messiah Jesus. Believers in Jesus are a chosen people. God has chosen believers to reach the world through our witness. The church is a royal priesthood because we are sons and daughters of the king. But we are also priests who represent God to people and bring people to God in prayer. We are holy people who reflect God’s character. Because we have been redeemed and are being remade into Christ’s likeness, we should live godly lives. We are also special to God because we belong to God. We have given ourselves totally to God in consecration. We are living sacrifices (Romans 12:1-2).
The purpose of our relation with God in total dedication and our relation in the world as priests is to declare God’s praises. We praise God because he has called us from darkness to light. Because we have been called to new life, we should want to bring others along with us. One way to do this is through living lives of praise. The way we life and what we say should point to the One who has given us new life.
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