Identity in Christ
1 Peter 2: 9-10
Pankaj Macwan
Exodus 19: 5-6
“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” Exodus 19: 5-6
What separates believers from the worldly people?
We are separated from the blessings and privileges we have through Christ
Peter is writing to the church when he declares that they are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.
Who you are in Christ:
- You are chosen: You don’t have to earn to be chosen, it is not based upon performance, it’s free
- Royal Priesthood: In the Old Testament priest came from the lineage of Aaron from the tribe of Levi. This must have stood out to Peter’s Audience. Now Peter is saying that because of our relationship with Christ, we have the authority to minister to people.
Christ sends the disciples out to minister in his authority. Christ commissions them, saying, “All authority has been given to me, therefore make disciples” (Matt 28:18).
Authority and Privileges of a Priest: But, we are also called priests. One of the unique roles of the priest was to have an intimate relationship with God. The high priest was the only priest who could enter into the presence of God once a year on the Day of Atonement. No other person could do that.
What distinguishes us as believers is the fact that we can walk and live in the presence of God.
But not only that, the priest would pray on behalf of the people for the forgiveness of their sins and bring their requests before God.
The priests were also called to teach the people
- A Holy nation and belonging to God: People of Israel were chosen to worship Him and to serve Him. In the same way we are chosen and set apart for His work. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10).
God is preparing us in a unique way to serve Him
- His Possessions: We are not only to serve, but to recognize that we are here on this earth for His pleasure.
Psalm 147: 11 “but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love”.
We were not only made to enjoy God. We were made so God could enjoy us too.
- You have received mercy: We did not get what we deserve, meaning instead of condemnation, we received His grace.
What do we if we are in Christ:
Because what Christ did on the cross now God has transferred these privileges to the church, and with the privilege comes the responsibility of bringing the light of God to the world.
Our identity in Christ leads us to our destination, which is to proclaim His excellencies to the world not on the basis of our accomplishments but based upon our relationship with Christ.
What are we to tell the world:
God is Love:
1 John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love”.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”.
God Forgives our sins:
Psalm 103:10 “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities”. 1 John 2:12 "I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake."
Hope in Christ:
John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.
How do we apply this in our life and in our church:
Are you encouraged or challenged by understanding these blessings that are given to you as the people of God?
How can we apply these truths in our lives as well as in our community?
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