His Own Special People

-November 3, 2023-

Good morning beloved, happy Friday,

“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.”

(1 Peter 2:9).

The word special, is well, special. Everyone wants to feel special. The word is defined as “better, greater or otherwise different from what is usual.” Husbands and wives, children and students, employees, athletes, captains of industry, friends, or anyone else can be labeled as special, a cut above the rest.

Do you feel special? You should if you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. God calls you special because you are special to Him. Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, describes as: “a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people.” This is a portrait of every believer in Jesus Christ.”

• Chosen generation – This means to be chosen by God, hand picked. Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Paul also wrote, “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love” (Ephesians 1:4).

• Royal priesthood – We are not only believer priests, but we are royal priests because we are in the family of God, who is the King. That is pretty special. There was only one person, other than Christ who fits this description in the Bible: Melchizedek, who is a type of Christ, who met Abraham after he returned from fighting against the kings who had kidnapped Lot and his family. He blessed Abraham. Melchizedek was both a king and priest. As royal priests we offer up sacrifices of praise and worship to God.

• Holy nation – We are a holy nation, separated from the world and set apart for God. We are different, we are special. We are made holy in order to live holy. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:16-17, “But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”

We stand out from all peoples on earth. We are special in every way. We aren’t better than anyone else, we are simply sinners saved by grace. “He who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.” That is pretty cool! We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ; we are children and sons of God; we are saints and servants of the most high God.

Sometimes we don’t always feel special, but we are, God says so, so is is true. Hold your head up high, you belong to Jesus. You are special, He loves you with an everlasting love. Your sins are forgiven and will be with Him in heaven forever. All this and more makes us special to Him. Have a special day as a special special saint, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. Stay safe and healthy.

Living as the special person you are, shining brightly as His unique star,

Dean