Why Are Christians Chosen People?
Christians have been called “A Chosen People,” but what does that mean? How does the Holy Spirit make us more like Christ? In this blog, we outline five alignments of a believer’s heart and mind.
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But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, that war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
A Chosen People
In our text, God declares, through Peter, that Christians are a chosen people. So listen to the things Jesus says about Christians.
You are a chose people
You preserve the world from decay.
For followers of Jesus, we can point to five alignments of the heart and mind of a chosen people.
Five Alignments of the Heart and Mind of a Believer
1) Believers Are A Special People
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10
Peter is lifting all the blessings and privileges these suffering believers have received from God. He wants them to know how special they are because of their faith in Jesus.
He's reminding them of Deuteronomy 7:6, "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord, your God, has chosen you out of all the peoples on the earth to be his people, his treasured possession."
Let's be clear; this choice doesn't mean they're better than others. Instead, this selection is a prevenient grace of God that's available for all people to draw us to the Person of Jesus Christ. We need God to bring us to God.
What were they chosen for? A royal priesthood, a holy nation, and people belonging to God. You may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into wonderful light. You were chosen for something.
2) Believers Are A Royal Priesthood
You may say, "I'm not sure I want to be a priest." Your only acquaintance with that terminology may be someone who serves within a Catholic church. However, there's more depth and richness to what Peter's saying here.
What he's outlining here is, as believers, there's an anointing of the Holy Spirit upon you. There's an authority in your life that doesn't exist in a non-believer.
The imagery Peter uses is from the Old Testament.
The King was special in Israel because he was anointed with oil by the priest, symbolizing God anointing the King with the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Priests were anointed and therefore empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to God and to the people.
The commonality of the two positions is they were both anointed by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, if you are a believer, the Holy Spirit, the very presence of God, dwells in you too.
The Holy Spirit's primary role is not to make people weird; Its role is to make people like Jesus by reflecting His character and ministry.
How Does The Holy Spirit Make Us More Like Jesus?
Ministry Authority
With the kingship that comes in Christ, there is also a measure of authority that should be seen presently in the life of a believer, especially in the area of ministry.
We see this in the Great Commission as Christ sends the disciples to minister in His authority. Christ commissions them, saying, "All authority has been given to me; therefore go and make disciples.” But also, as royalty in Christ, we fight wars on behalf of the kingdom. When you share the love of God through the gospel, you go into enemy territory.
Intimate Relationship With God
One of the unique roles of the priest was to have an intimate relationship with God. The high priest was the only priest who could enter into the presence of God once a year on the Day of Atonement. No other person could do that.
On this earth, something that distinguishes us as believers is the fact that we can walk and live in the presence of God.
Intercessory Prayer
The priest would also pray on behalf of the people. Not only did the priest have to pray for people, but the nation of Israel was called to pray for people because they were a "kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6).
When Israel was exiled to Babylon, God called them to pray for the prosperity of Babylon because when Babylon prospered, they would prosper. Even though Israel was no longer in their land, that did not change their identity; They were still a priestly nation called to intercede for the nations.
"Make intercession for everyone, for kings and all authorities that we may live peaceful and godly lives." 2 Timothy 2:1-2
Similarly, wherever God has placed you in a nation, workplace, church, or family, they are to be places that you intercede for. You are to intercede for the leaders to make godly decisions, for strongholds to be broken, and for the light of the gospel to go forth.
Teach the Gospel
Don't underestimate your influence with others, nor what God can do in and through you when you are yielded and willing to serve. The priests were also called to teach the people.
We specifically see this calling with Ezra, who devoted himself to the study and teaching of the law of God. Similarly, for the New Covenant believer, part of the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 is to make disciples by teaching them everything Christ commanded.
The believer's job as a priest is to learn the Bible and never let it depart from their mouths.
One of the reasons you have been chosen to be a priest is to be a teacher of the Word of God. Most of the world will never read the Bible, but they should see and hear the Bible coming from your mouth.
3) Believers are a Holy Nation
Peter also says they are a holy nation. This again was terminology used of Israel. In Exodus 19 they were called a holy nation.
In the same way, believers have been chosen and set apart for good works. This separates us from the world. Look at what Paul said about believers:
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
The word he uses here for workmanship is the Greek word poema from which we get the English word poem. We are God’s poem—his artistry. God has and is carefully crafting and constructing us through various events, teachings, and even trials for the purpose of producing good works for his glory.
God chose us to display his beautiful artwork—his character and good works to the rest of the world.
4) People Who Have Received Mercy
"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:10
Remember, these were individuals under persecution. It would've been easy for them to pity themselves, but what Peter does is invite them to gain a Kingdom perspective.
In this passage, Peter says the Church has received mercy. They were a people whom God did not give the judgment and punishment they deserved. Grace is when God gives us what we don't deserve. Mercy is when God does not give us what we deserve.
As the Church, we were once a people under God's wrath because of our sins and rejection of Christ. Because of God's grace, we have received mercy and forgiveness of sins and have become the people of God.
"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:1-5
God removed the wrath we deserved and gave us undeserved mercy and salvation instead. As a result, believers have received mercy and can rest in the life-giving force of God.
5) Believers Are A Worshipping People
"That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9
Gathering for worship is about glorifying God, not how we're satisfied. Worship is not a consumer event. It is to magnify and adore the Person of Christ. Peter reminds us that the root system of worship is in the realization that we've received mercy from Almighty God, and He is worthy of our worship and affection for what He's done.
Again, this would have stood out to a primarily Jewish congregation or Gentiles familiar with the Old Testament. It mirrors God's original call on Israel. He called them out of Egypt to worship the Lord.
Then the Lord said to Moses: "Go to Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says, 'Let my people go, so that they may worship me.'" Exodus 9:1
Be mindful of the mercy you've received, and as you're under pressure, don't fall back into old sinful patterns that were once your coping mechanisms.
"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11
Your Best Life Is Coming
I cannot but be in awe that one of the bestselling Christian books of a few years ago was Your Best Life Now. I've never read the book, so I cannot confidently speak about the content. However, my problem is with the title. You can't have your best life now if you are a Christian.
The word strangers can also be translated as pilgrims. Pilgrims were nomadic people traveling in search of their own country. Peter uses these adjectives to help them recognize that this is not their home.
Your best life is coming—it's what's on the other side. Join a royal priesthood to glorify God and be a light in the darkness; you are a special people, so receive mercy and rise in truth.
TL;DR
God declares, through Peter, that Christians are a chosen people.
Five Alignments of the Heart and Mind of a Believer
Believers are a special people
Believers are a royal priesthood
How Does The Holy Spirit Make Us More Like Jesus?
Ministry Authority
Intimate Relationship with God
Intercessory Prayer
Teach the Gospel
Believers are a holy nation
Believers are a worshipping people
People who receive the gospel
Related Reading
Why Does God Want Our Hearts Enlightened? by Rev. Paul Lawler
Qualities of a Convicted Heart by Bro. Chris Carter
What is the Church by Rev. Paul Lawler
About Christ Church Memphis
Christ Church Memphis is church in East Memphis, Tennessee. For more than 65 years, Christ Church has served the Memphis community. Every weekend, there are multiple worship opportunities including traditional, contemporary and blended services
