1 Peter 2:9 – But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
This verse is packed with the wonderful benefits afforded the believer. I’d like to remind you once again what Peter is saying to us about who were are:
• A chosen generation-as such, we get the benefit of His protection and access to His kingdom. We are also share the same status with the Father that Jesus has.
• A royal priesthood- a kingly priesthood. We’ve been elevated to not only sonship, but royalty that identifies us as being kings. And in our kingly status, we offer up sacrifices to the King of kings.
• A holy nation-we are holy because His holiness comes into contact with us (after we are redeemed) causing us to be holy. And because He is holy, He places a demand on us to also live a life that exemplifies holiness.
• God’s own special possession-acquired by our Heavenly Father with the precious Blood of Jesus and made to be His treasured possession.
Now we get to the good stuff! Why would He do all of this for us? Why would He take “a wretch, a dirty ole sinner, a good for nothing slouch” and place him or her in His wonderful kingdom, giving us the status of a king priest, the status of Jesus, and call us His holy, treasured possession? Well, first and foremost because He loves us.
Many people say they found the Lord, when in actuality He was never lost. We were the ones lost, and He sent Jesus to give His life’s blood at Calvary to redeem us because of that love. So that’s the first and most important reason. And although I have brought that point out before, it needed to be made again. Oh how He loves you and me!!
But according to this verse in 1 Peter, chapter 2, He did all of this that we might show forth His praises! Even if I didn’t do a word study on this part, I think it’s pretty clear what is being stating in this verse. But let’s check it out anyway!
The Greek word, “exangello” is used in this verse and literally means “to tell out, proclaim abroad, to publish completely”. The Greek word for praise is “arete” and doesn’t mean praise as we think of it; but it means virtue, or excellence.
We weren’t given this citizenship in the kingdom to just go around saying praise God, although that’s fine; but all of this was done that we might spread abroad or publish completely God’s excellency. One commentator wrote that this word “arete” is better translated “wonderful deeds”. Looking at it from that perspective, our very lives are to be a proclamation of the wonderful deeds of a loving God, our Father!
Another thing about the Father, is He reigns supreme over all, and His Excellency has a lot to do with place or position of power. We proclaim His greatness, His power, His wonderful deeds, His excellency. I love to read Christian historical fiction, and I am most drawn by the era of the aristocrats: dukes, earls, lords and ladies. The finery, the social system, the status and power of the aristocrats, when they weren’t the villains, is quite impressive. But more impressive than that, is the excellency of our God. Isaiah said it like this, “They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God.” (Isaiah 35) How? Through us proclaiming it!
So if you’ve been one of those whiny Christians that have spent time saying, “You never know what God will do!” Or, “I was better off when I was in the world!” Or any of those negative things that make it sound as if being a Christian is boring, difficult, a hardship, or not worth it, you need to stop it! And then you need to get acquainted with His Excellency King Jesus so that you can experience the God that loves you so deeply!
In my next blog I will complete this verse! You don’t want to miss it! Wonderful Jesus!
