A Chosen Generation, Too!

"All true Christians are a chosen generation; they make one family, a people distinct from the world: of another spirit, principle, and practice; which they could never be, if they were not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. Their first state is a state of gross darkness, but they are called out of darkness into a state of joy, pleasure, and prosperity; that they should show forth the praises of the Lord by their profession of his truth, and their good conduct. How vast their obligations to Him who has made them his people, and has shown mercy to them!" -Matthew Henry

Peter had warned the scattered Christians in the Roman provinces to dedicate themselves to Christ on the basis that they were: children of God the Father ( 1 Peter 1:13-25); believers of Christ who ought to grow (1 Peter 2:1-3); living stones in the living temple (1 Peter 2:4-8).

He called for their devotion on the basis that they are God's chosen people. One can simply imagine this relationship as a dot drawn within a circle. The circle completely owns the dot. God completely owns his people. Let's take a closer look at God's chosen people.

The text designating Christians as God's chosen people (1 Peter 2:9-10) is almost identical with the words of God spoken through Moses at the foot of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:3-6). The children of Israel misunderstood the nature of their covenant relationship. They thought that they were better than the Gentiles. They generally thought that they had been elected to salvation rather than service. For the most part, they persecuted and killed God's representatives, culminating in the crucifixtion of Jesus.

Jesus used the parable of the wicked husbandmen (Matthew 21:33-46) as an example of their sad history of poor stewardship. He indicated the end of Israel's special relationship in the words, "Therefore, say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43). 1 Peter 2:9-10 informs us that the nation, or people who now have a similar relationship to God as the chosen people are the Christians.

If we examine the nature of God's chosen people we find that God had called his people out of darkness into his wonderful light. They had come from heathenism to Christianity (Romans 9:24-26; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:12-13). Regarding these scriptures, you might wonder if Peter was familiar with the writings of Paul, or did these writers independently develop the same ideas?

Following Peter's writings we see that Christians were: 1) a chosen people; an elect race corresponding to spiritual Israel, Abraham's children by faith (Galatians 3:22-29); 2) a royal priesthood; every Christian is a priest who needs no one to go to God on his or her behalf; 3) a holy nation; holy means set apart, or dedicated to God; 4) a people belonging to God; Christ gave himself for us, to rescue us from all wickedness and to make us a pure people who belong to him alone.

So what was the purpose of God's election, or choice of Israel and Christians (1 Peter 2:9)? Remember, when God first chose Israel at Sinai, the reason was not that God loved Israel more than the Gentiles. "For all the earth is mine" (Exodus 19:5) is one of the reasons God gave for calling Israel a special people. God's election of Israel was a method for reaching all nations. God's election of Christians is a method for reaching the unconverted with the gospel.

Let me try to put this all into perspective. The purpose of one's life is to glorify God. Election is not to salvation but to service. The Christian is to bear fruit. God desires his chosen people to be missionaries to all people. If God's people become rebellious and sinful, He may raise up another people who will accomplish his purpose!

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, you have power over life and death. You know even things that are uncertain and obscure, and our very thoughts and feelings are not hidden from you. Give me strength, O Lord, in my frailty and sustain me in my sufferings. Grant me a prudent judgement, dear Lord, and let me always be mindful of your blessings. Let me retain until the end your grace that has protected me till now. Amen

God bless you,

Jeanine