I Am "Chosen, Special, And A Holy & Royal Priesthood"

Dear Saints,

“You also as living stones [like Jesus] are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

As we continue our study of 1 Peter, Apostle Peter speaks to the suffering Pilgrims about the foundation of their faith in Christ. He told them earlier in chapter 1 how God's “abundant mercy” has saved them. 

Here is the definition of mercy: “Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.” And grace is "the free unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and continuing to their regeneration and sanctification." Grace brings us to God to obtain His mercy. Hebrews 4:16.

Let us listen to Apostle Peter:

⁴ Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, ⁵ you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ⁶ Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,

“Behold, I lay in Zion, A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”

⁷ Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,

“The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone,”

⁸ and “A stone of stumbling And a rock of offense.”

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Living Before the World

¹¹ Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, ¹² having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:4-12

The focus here is Jesus Christ through whom we are saved. Jesus is a living stone and has made us living stones; He is building spiritual houses in us. As holy and royal priests, we offer “spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Our sacrifices are not acceptable except through Christ.

Jesus is the High Priest that has offered an acceptable sacrifice. You can only please God with faith and trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and payment for our sins. Jesus is the only intermediary between God the Father and us.

One stone does not make a house. Many stones come together to build a house, in this case, the Church. We are connected to one another, and Jesus is the Cornerstone and foundation. 

Since Covid-19, some now think they can be an isolated, lone-ranger Christian. We all need one another in the body of Christ. Are you connected to the people of God in your local church or other areas?

As holy and royal priests, we worship God directly. Also, a priest points people to God and intercedes for them. You and I must function in our priesthood to make disciples for Christ.

Most of us struggle with self-esteem and who we are. Let us put it to rest and accept who we are in Christ. Listen and keep reminding yourself as follows:

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; ¹⁰ who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

Yes, you are “chosen,” “peculiar,” and “special” to God.  Now, live a life of praise to God and shine as light in a dark world. Amen.

To to shine as lights, we must "abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul." There is a constant war going on in us. May the Holy Spirit help us say no and flee from all lusts of the flesh and pride of life. Identify your "wars" and fight back in the of Jesus. Amen. 

Are there some who are not chosen for God's mercy and why or why not? 

We have all earned hell because of our sins. God has loved the whole word, and sent His only begotten Son, Jesus to die for our sins and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life and not perish. God has every right to do whatever He wants including showing mercy on some that were originally destiny to hell. God is sovereign and there is no injustice in God. We humans also have responsibility in exercising our free will.

Please see Romans 9 and Matthew 20 where Paul and Jesus respectively address this hard question. Jesus said in His parable, "Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?" Matthew 20:15.

Spurgeon responded to a question on Romans 9 saying, "the fact that the Lord said He hated Esau is not my difficulty, Madam.  My trouble is to understand how He could love Jacob. The greatest miracle is that God chooses to love any of His fallen creatures, not that He prefers to bless some more than others."

Have you “obtained mercy” from God? Then grant mercy to others and help them see God’s mercy. Who is your candidate for mercy? Pray for them today and please forgive them.

Lord, thank you for your abundant grace and mercy on me. It gives me chills to know that I am chosen by the Almighty God. Help me to live to your praise. Amen 

Are you chosen? Find out by crying out to God. The Lord will never reject any who calls on Him for salvation. Try it. Confess and repent of your sins, ask God to forgive you and put your faith in the death and resurrection of Christ for reconciliation with God, and become a child of God. Amen.