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 had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Peter lists 4 distinctives that set believers apart.
A chosen race
Selected.
Sealed.
Part of a race, a generation through the second birth
A royal priesthood
Intercessors
Ordained servants
But part of the royal family as well.
A holy nation
Citizens
Subjects of the King of kings.
A part of an everlasting kingdom.
A people for His own possession
Unique
Distinct
Set apart for God.
Peter’s principles:
We are a special people, set apart because of who we are.
But we are also distinct because of the responsibilities we’re given.
Proclaim His excellencies
We know them better than anyone.
Namely –
Once we were not a people
Now we’re God’s people.
Once we were outside His mercy
But now we’ve received it.
No one else can tell that story.
No one else can carry that message.