A Call to Praise (I Peter 2:9, 10) Christians are as much a chosen generation as Israel was under the old dispensation. God called out the Jewish race to be a witness for Him in the entire world. Instead of fulfilling their responsibility, they became bigoted in thinking of themselves as the favorites of heaven. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to be called “Christian”. Jesus has chosen us, and ordained us, that we should “go and bring forth fruit”. (John 15:16) As was ancient Israel, Christians are too, “Royal Priesthood”. Under the “law of Moses”, God made Israel a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. In the dispensation (being exempted from the punishment of our sins) of Grace, all believers constitute a ‘kingdom of priests”. (Revelation 1:6) The priesthood of the believer is his birthright, his access to the throne of God through prayer. Our access comes through the “great high priest” Jesus Christ, our Lord. Believers are a holy nation through Christ’s redemption. They have been made holy through the blood of Christ. They are to pursue a life of holiness so it is fitting to be clothed in holiness in the bodies of believers, since they are temples and abodes of the Holy Spirit. Believers have been chosen to be a peculiar people. That doesn’t mean that they are to appear odd to others, but they are a separated people whose lives and testimonies demonstrate the fact that they know the Lord, Jesus Christ. Believers do have a definite set of characteristics. They are united in their love for Christ and their love for one another and their fellow man. Why are believers called a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a peculiar people? It is that they might show forth praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into His marvelous light. Believers have been saved for service, they are God’s ambassadors; they are living epistles, known and read by all people. Whether they eat, drink, or whatever else they do, they are to do it for His glory. They were once; “not a people” in that they were lost, condemned and without God or hope in the world. Once saved their bodies are temples for the Holy Spirit and they are no longer of their own, but of God. Amen… Glory to the Lord…
Posted on: Sun, 25 Jan 2015 00:13:05 +0000