Identity: 6b- CHOSEN Looking at 1 Peter 2:9

Identity: 6b- chosen Looking at 1 Peter 2:9

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

our relationship with the Lord and one another should make us eager to take responsibility for this great salvation.

Today we are going to answer the question Who are you by focusing on the “who” as answered in 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.10 “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.

“But” begins verse 9 to show distinction, difference. It reminds me of a situation in Exodus, let us read – it will shed some light in understanding this idea of distinction, difference. Exodus 9:4-6 But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”5 The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” 6 And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.

Encouragement is a great thing, but it also carries responsibility and accountability. Therefore, our relationship with the Lord and one another should make us eager to take responsibility for this great salvation.

ἐκλεκτός (eklektos)

Strong: G1588

GK: G1723

chosen out, selected; in NT chosen as a recipient of special privilege, elect, Col. 3:12; specially beloved, Lk. 23:35; possessed of prime excellence, exalted, 1 Tim. 5:21; choice, precious, 1 Pet. 2:4, 6

Luke 23:35 The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

1 Timothy 5:21 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the chosen angels that you guard and keep [these rules] without personal prejudice or favor, doing nothing from partiality.

1 Peter 2:4 Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men [a]tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight.

1 Peter 2:6 For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame.

ONE IS CHOSEN FOR SOMETHING. We are chosen to display the wonderful deeds and virtues of the One who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. This is in line with Genesis 1:26, where it is stated that we have been created in the image and likeness of our Father..

Identity is related to both origin and destiny.

Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves.

Identity is related to both origin and destiny. Our Father associated us with Christ before the fall. Take a moment to let that sink in. The Father loved us before the fall and was always intentional about bringing us back to Himself. Let us be intentional about moving towards Him.

“It’s interesting to note that our new identity is all about renewing our minds. Let us aim for complete redemption in our minds so that we can fully embrace our true identity in Christ. By faith, we must forcefully disengage our minds from the fall and all its negative outcomes in the name of Jesus. Consider this for a moment: our success in life depends on our ability to let go of the mindsets and perceptions that have held us captive. Debates and disagreements are often based on opinions and ideas that are rooted in lies about who we are.”. Our identity and purpose outside of Christ comes from the father of lies as seen in Ephesians 2. Here 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church] is complete.

We are still talking about being chosen and our identity as seen in 1 Peter 2 verse 9.

We have a shared history, which strengthens our sense of identity.

Matthew 23:14 For many are called (invited, summoned), but few are chosen.

DuToit summarizes this verse as saying the masses are defined by the name of the LORD, but few realize their origin in Him. By faith, we declare that He is our Source, our Origin. We recognize the LORD as our origin. We see clearly that our identity in Christ is a gift from our Father and not what we think or plan. Again John 1:12-13 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

“We have a shared history, which strengthens our sense of identity. We no longer need to question whether we are loved or belong because God, our Father, has declared it. His voice echoes throughout time, saying ‘You are mine.’ It’s time for us to accept this truth and embrace life to the fullest.”

Romans 11:36 For from Him [all things originate] and through Him [all things live and exist] and to Him are all things [directed]. To Him be glory and honor forever! Amen.

My prayer is that the Holy Spirit is edifying, exhorting, and comforting each of us as we begin to receive the love of our Father, that every dry place that has never been touched by the tenderness of a Father’s touch will be full of softness and have the rain of heaven that breaks bondages and brings the liberty of the sons of God.