A Chosen People
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Key Verse: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” Selected Scripture: |
A HIGH MORAL STANDARD of conduct should be manifested in the lives of Christian believers.
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”—I Pet. 2:1-3
The sins enumerated in verse one above evidence deficiencies in love and purity of heart by their possessors. In order to make progress in the Christian graces, believers must apply biblical principles in their lives as they travel along the narrow way.
Initially, as babes, newly consecrated followers of Christ may require instruction in the basic truths found in the Bible, but eventually as they mature, they will be able to assimilate more advanced truths as their lives move towards conformity into the image of Jesus Christ.
In figurative language, Christ is depicted as the living (chief) stone in God’s building most precious, but although it seems incredible, he was rejected by men. Nevertheless, he was chosen by God as indispensable to his plan, and believers brought into union with Christ through the Holy Spirit become part of the spiritual house, or holy priesthood, who offer up sacrifices acceptable to God.—vss. 4,5; Luke 22:17; Isa. 53:3
At the time of Christ’s First Advent, the people, especially the rulers, did not receive him and he was ultimately crucified. During this present Gospel Age, there are many individuals who refuse to accept Jesus as their Messiah, and as a result they stumble because of unbelief and disobedience.
Our Key Verse describes the Christian church as a royal priesthood and a holy nation whose responsibility is to proclaim the glory of God who has called us out of darkness, and proclaim the light of Truth as set forth in the Word of God.
Much of the rest of this chapter relates to the conduct that believers should ever keep in mind during their Christian walk. The apostle indicates that we are sojourners and pilgrims and should abstain from earthly lusts and gratifying earthly desires. This would not relate merely to avoiding sinful or immoral conduct which does not define sacrificing, but, it might include an attempt to amass material prosperity and seeking out worldly pleasures which hinder our spiritual growth and communion with God.—I Pet. 2:11
As evidence that the mind of Christ is growing within us, we will look for opportunities of laying down our lives on behalf of the brethren in any possible manner to promote their spiritual interests. There will be a glorious reward for all believers who view their Christian life in this manner.
“As it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.”—I Cor. 2:9,10