A Chosen People (1 Peter 2:9-10)

Bible Passage: 1 Peter 2:9-10

In these verses, Peter takes the powerful statements of identity that were spoken to Israel by God at Mount Sinai and applies them to Christians today. The statements echo Peter’s consistent message of who we are and how we are to live: we have been called out of the world by God and our primary loyalty and identity comes from him. But we are also sent into the world with a purpose to both be different from the world but also show it something of God.

Who you are (v9): In verse 9, Peter makes four statements about the identity of Christians. The first thing to note is that each of them is a corporate statement. Peter is speaking to Christians together about our identity in the world. We can be quick to individualise the issue of identity, but a big part of rightly understanding who we are is to know that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. We are called a ‘chosen people’, and this emphasises God’s loving affection and grace for us. We do not have the status Peter describes because of our own efforts or accomplishments, but because God has elected to set love upon us. We are also called a ‘royal priesthood’, emphasising both the kingly and priestly functions in the Old Testament: we are a people who have been give God’s authority and who serve as mediators between the surrounding world and God. Thirdly we are a ‘holy nation’ who has been set apart as distinct from those around us. Finally we are God’s special possession, bringing it back to where it started with a powerful affirmation of God’s love and delight in us as his people. Grasping these truths has a profound impact on how we see ourselves and how we relate to the society around us.

Why you are (v9): As Peter explains to his readers who they are, he does so to help them see what their purpose is in the world. They have been set apart for God in order that they may declare his praises. Just as Old Testament Israel was to be a light to the Gentiles, so Christians are to show something of God to the people around us, both in how we live and in what we say. We have received a great salvation through the gospel as we have been brought from darkness into light, and now there is a response on our part to bear testimony to what he has done, as we worship and witness, and point the surrounding culture to God. We cannot do this if we are removed from the world, but nor can we do it if we live just like everyone else. Instead we should be living in the world but differently to the world, and our lives should point people to God, that they too may experience this same salvation.

What you were (v10): In order to bring the new identity of the believers into stark contrast, Peter reminds them about their situation before they knew Jesus. Firstly they were not a people. We all long for a community to belong, and yet these longings often end up unfulfilled. Now however, God has brought together with others and formed them into a people – and not just any people but the very people of God. Secondly, they had not received mercy. They were still in their sins and still under condemnation. Because of Jesus, they now have received mercy and through the cross are forgiven all of their sins. Seeing this before and after contrast helps us see how we have been brought into relationships with others and with God, and answer the ‘where do I fit’ question that we all ask.

Potential Applications:

• There may be people present who struggle as they think of their own identity. You could offer to pray with people to help them grasp the identity that God speaks over them in these verses.
• The passage challenges us to declare the praises of God in a world that doesn’t know him. Invite people to think about how they can share about Jesus with those around them.
• Some people present may not be Christians and not have the identity Peter is speaking about. Offer the opportunity for people to put their trust in Jesus and be added in to his people.