Status of Christians before God: Chosen, royal priesthood, a holy nation…

Text 1 Peter 2:4-9-10; Luke 10:17-21

In preparing the church for global missions, we shall remind ourselves who we are before God.
In Luke 10, Jesus reminded the disciples that what was important was the fact that their names are written in Heaven. St Peter also reminds us of our status before God as follows:

A chosen people

Called us from darkness to light, sin to righteousness ( 1 Cor 5:21), without mercy, but now we have received mercy. How does God choose? Many are called, but the chosen ones are those who believe the king’s message and wear the garment of righteousness. See Matthew 22:1-14.

Royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession. The idea of holiness is to be set apart unto God. Benefits of holiness? We learn respect, awe, beauty, honour, and purity… Thus, belonging to the king, you serve the almighty God, Our service involves declaring his praises (who He is, and what He has done), prayer, intercession, and leading people to faith (e.g, Romans 15:16).

After being chosen, how do we become a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession? When we obey God and keep his covenant fully, see Exodus 19:5-6. Thus, you can be chosen, but like Israel, if you refuse to obey God, you shall be rejected by God.

Gratitude to God is the right response to God’s grace (e.g., 1 Tim 1:12-17; Romans 12:1-2).
If God has chosen you, made you His priest, part of His kingdom, his special possession, then your response should be that out of your own free will, you decide to make this God your God, you are His priest, you are his special possession (Exodus 6:7; Isaiah 25:9).