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“Four Amazing Adjectives Applied To Us”
Four Amazing Adjectives Applied To Us
David Sproule
The apostle Peter was drawing a sharp contrast between children of God and children of the devil in the second chapter of his first letter. On the one hand is “he who believes” on Christ (1 Pet. 2:6), and on the other hand are “those who are disobedient” (2:7). In the New Testament, belief and obedience are used interchangeably (John 3:36; Acts 14:1-2; Heb. 3:18-19), for acceptable (in the eyes of God) faith is an obedient faith. The contrast is also seen in their view of Jesus. To the obedient, Jesus is “a living stone” (2:4), who “has become the chief cornerstone” (2:7). To the disobedient, Jesus is “a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense” (2:8).
In this context, as Peter was trying to build up these Christians who were suffering persecution, the inspired penman uses a variety of adjectives to describe who Christians are TO GOD. How does God see you as a faithful Christian? Consider these adjectives in verse 9.
“You are a CHOSEN generation.” This is not an unconditional choosing. God calls us by the “gospel” (2 Thess. 2:14); therefore, He calls out to everyone with the promise of salvation (Rom. 1:16-17). But He only “chose us” who are “in Him”—that is, He chose those who fearfully obey His will (Acts 10:35) and are “born again” (1 Pet. 1:23) through baptism into Christ (Gal. 3:27). TO GOD, you are CHOSEN!
“You are a ROYAL priesthood.” You are “royal” because of your relationship to the King Himself. The church is “a kingdom of priests” (cf. Ex. 19:6), for the King has “made us kings and priests to His God and Father” (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). All Christians are priests, for the King has given us access to the throne of God to worship Him personally and directly. TO GOD, you are ROYAL!
“You are a HOLY nation.” The word “holy” was used in verse 5 for the “priesthood” and here for the “nation.” Peter used the word in chapter one, reminding his dear readers that “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct” (1:15). Christians are citizens of a spiritual nation (i.e., the church is now “the Israel of God,” Gal. 6:16), made up of all people who have been set apart BY God, TO God and FOR God. TO GOD, you are HOLY!
“You are HIS OWN special people.” You are special to God because you are “God’s own possession” (NASB). You belong to Him, for He has “bought” you (1 Cor. 6:19-20; Acts 20:28), and now you are His “jewels” (Mal. 3:17), as His own “special treasure” (Deut. 7:6). TO GOD, you are HIS OWN!
When you realize, amazingly, who you are TO GOD, it ought to motivate you to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness” (2:9). Are you doing that?
