Being conferred an important title or position certainly brings delight to one who was an insignificant nobody! Well, that’s exactly what we were when we were without Christ- once we were not a people, outside the periphery of God’s mercy and in darkness (1 Peter 2:10). But when we’ve come to the LIVING STONE, Christ Jesus, our designations have changed- we are now:

 

• A chosen people

• A royal priesthood

• A holy nation

• GOD’s special possession

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Each of these positions demands a closer looking into. If we have been conferred such great titles, it is with a purpose. 

 

1. A Chosen People: God’s choice of people is beyond human comprehension. He chose Abraham, Jacob, Joseph- the Patriarchs of the nation of Israel, from amongst their brethren. He chose the nation of Israel as a special nation to carry out His purposes. Paul tries to explain this special election in Romans 9-11. That you and I have received God’s mercy and been grafted into God’s family is out of His pure grace- nothing we can boast of (Rom.11:20).  We have been chosen in Him before the foundation of the world! (Eph.1:4)
    

2. A Royal Priesthood: Only the tribe of Levi had the special privilege of being priests in the Old Testament times. Jesus Christ, our High Priest of the New Covenant (Heb.9) and “…has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father.” (Rev.1:6). As priests of the New Testament, we can come to the throne of grace at any time of need (Heb.4:16). Christ offered Himself a sacrifice for us once and for all – hence we no longer need to offer any sacrifices. But our sacrifices are the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to God and to do good and to share (Heb.13: 15-16).
    

3. A Holy Nation: 2 Tim.1:9 says God  “ …who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began”  If Israel was the chosen nation for God to execute His purposes, we the new testament church is now “heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.” (Eph.3:6). The church is chosen to display God’s manifold wisdom to rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (Eph.3:10).
    

4. God’s Special Possession: God spoke to the children of Israel through Moses that they would be His treasured possession if they would obey Him and keep His covenant (Exo 19:5). Remember the New Testament believer too is His special possession, purchased with the imperishable precious blood of Christ (1Peter 1:19) and adopted into His family, co-heirs with Christ (Rom.8:17). 

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Now, these titles are not to don on us as laurels but that we may “…proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light” (1 Peter 2:9 NASB). We who were once darkened by sin are brought out by the Light of the world to be His light and guide those who are groping in darkness to His marvellous light!

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank You for choosing

me as Your special possession. May I ever declare the

praises of You who brought me from darkness into

Your marvellous light! Amen.

 

Listen- ‘Chosen Generation’