1 Peter 2:9-10
Dive Deeper
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
1 Peter 2:9-10
Behind the Scenes
Peter wrote this letter to believers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia- believers who came from different backgrounds, different cultures, and different heritages. And yet, regardless of their differences, he writes in a way that reminds them that in Christ they are united, they are in one family, they are one people.
Paul uses two original terms in this passage that are translated here as “people”- one means “race” while the other means “a gathering of people”. The message Paul is trying to get across is not lighthearted. He is literally telling them that their heritage, their lineage, and their families of origin are now trumped by the fact that they are part of the family of God. They are one…
Jew and gentile- One people
Man and woman- One people
Rich and poor- One people
Slave and master- One people
And so on…
Peter reminds them in these verses that in the name of Jesus, we have been adopted into a new family, a new heritage. We have been reborn to a new identity- the people of God. There is incredibly unifying language in these verses. And this is the power of Jesus Christ, to gather people from every tongue, tribe, and continent under a single banner. Those who would have once been separated by so many different things, are now united in Christ. Those who might have been outcasts or rejected are now brought near. Those who once had no hope are welcomed into the family of God.
Make it Real
Each of us has a history and a heritage, a lineage of people who have come before us. And often we find a lot of identity in those lineages. Unfortunately, for all of human history, those lineages have also been one of the top things that have separated us and caused division in our world. Our differences have often stood in the way of uniting.
But in beauty of the Gospel is that we don’t have to live separated any more. Not only does the blood of Christ provide reconciliation between us and God, adopting us as sons and daughters of the Most High King, but is also provides reconciliation between us and the rest of the world. Under the blood of Jesus Christ, we are all given a common heritage, a common ancestry. As believers, we all belong to the family of God. And now the differences that once separated us allow us to come together in a beautiful collage. The things that once divided us are now bridged in the name of Jesus.
This means that we no longer have to go this life alone, separated, or rejected. We have a family in Christ that is bound by His perfect, unbreakable, and unspoiled blood. We are one in Him. We are united for His Kingdom, in His family, for His good will! Praise God!
Crystal Garnett
ACF Digital Discipleship Pastor
End in Prayer
Lord,
Thank you for tearing down the dividing walls that stood between me and my brothers and sisters. Help me to see where Your blood covers any differences that might try to separate us. Help me to see others in the light of the new heritage You have given us! Lord, draw me into oneness with my eternal family in a way that shines Your light and helps others to see You better.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen