1 Peter 2:9-10: Christian Identity:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you have not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Peter tells Christians who they are in this passage. In fact there are five elements Peter highlights about Christians which are: “(1) a chosen race, (2) a royal priesthood, (3) a holy nation, (4) God’s special possession, (5) those who have been constituted the people of God by God’s remarkable mercy.” [1]
Because blogs are supposed to be short, we will focus on being “chosen.” Some people do not like the idea of being chosen because they feel God’s choosing implies a loveless forcing on everyone’s will. [2] Nothing could be further from the truth. The Father’s love and grace rescues His elect who were dead in their sin. [3] The LORD’s choosing is the only way to salvation because our wills lead us away from God. [4] Further, the Trinity’s choosing promises an abiding with us for all life’s struggles, [5] help in combating our sins and growing in holiness, [6] and will be with us always, no matter what. [7] Being chosen is an eternal gift for all those called by the Holy Spirit.
This blog was written by Seth Dunn
[1] Carson, D.A. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Edited by G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 1030.
[2] [The following author does not hold this view, but summarizes it] Bavinck, Herman. Reformed Dogmatics: God and Creation, Vol. 2. General Ed. John Bolt, Trans. John Vriend. Grand Rapids, MI: the Dutch Reformed Translation Society/Baker Academic, 2004), 339.
[3] Psalm 130:7-8, John 3:16; 6:32-40; 10:7-18, 17:1-23, Ephesians 1:3-6, 2:1-10, etc. Also, see blog on Matthew 22:36-40 for discussions on what love is.
[4] Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:9-20; 5:12-14; 8:7-8.
[5] Psalm 34:18; Joshua 1: 5 & 9, Hebrews 13:5-6.
[6] Romans 8:12-14, 1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:11; 15:45; Galatians 5:16-17.
[7] Jeremiah 31 (especially vv33), Romans 8:31-39.