MAY 13, 2023 – A CHOSEN GENERATION

READ: Rom. 9:18-29.

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, … now have obtained mercy. – 1 Pet. 2:9,10

In contrast to the disobedient who reject Christ, the church stands as an assembly of true believers of Jews and Gentiles. For them, all salvation is in Christ. But not as their own achievement. It is God’s gracious election. They form a large family of adopted children who have been called out of darkness by God and redeemed in God’s mercy by His Son (Gal. 4:5). 

Their position and salvation come from God’s sovereign pleasure, who shows mercy to whomever He wills and hardens whomever He wills (Rom. 9:18). God goes so far as to call Gentiles (once Not-My-People): My people, children of the living God (Rom. 9:25, 26).

This chosen generation also receives a high office: they form a royal priesthood. They are set apart and cleansed by Christ to be dedicated to God: a holy nation. God purchased them with the blood of His Son. They are now His property and serve Him. The purpose of this is to proclaim His glorious virtues.

Here, Peter mentions the main purpose of God’s church. Ultima­tely, it is not their own redemption, but the glorification of God because of that redemption, which reveals God’s glorious attributes of love, mercy, faithfulness, justice, and omnipotence. We who have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light have every reason to glorify Him!

How do you proclaim God’s great virtues?

Singing: Ps. 145:5