In contrast to those who have rejected Christ, who will await their doom, the Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:9–10 tells us we who are called are enlisted to fulfil a mission. We who have become children of God are to be His redemptive agents in our fallen dark world. We are to declare the excellencies of our great God.
Borrowing words from Isaiah 43:20–21 and Exodus 19:6, Peter shows us the true identity of Christians. We are (1) a chosen race, (2) a royal priesthood, (3) a holy nation – a holy people, (4) a people of God’s own possession, and (5) the recipients of God’s mercy. Peter then went on to declare the task that we expected to do.
What tasks are we called to do? He declares in verse 9 that we are to make known “the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light”. We are to proclaim God’s goodness and His generous grace and mercy. And it is to this end and purpose that we are called into His community.
When we think of the priesthood, we think of Aaron who stood before God on behalf of a sinful nation. His role was intermediary – he stood before God and the people, and by implication, would know God more intimately than the people. Today we are all called into that role. What a thought! Think of the impact of our role as priests. We are called to have an intimate relationship with God. We are His holy (set apart) and royal (noble) priests.
We are to represent God before the people to make known God’s plan and to guide the people out from the domain of darkness into the domain of His marvelous light. Then we are to represent the people in prayer, presenting their needs for redemption before God.
In Christ, our identity and calling in life have changed. We are privileged to know Christ, our Lord. And more importantly, we are also called to be proclaimers of the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light.
Enjoy our privilege of knowing God intimately, but we need to remember that we are also called to make Him and His Kingdom known! Our calling is not just to be a part of the touch of the Kingdom, our calling is to enlarge it!
Are we doing our part? Why don’t we begin to identify the people within the sphere of our influence and list them down? Then draw out a plan to invite them to church and to all our evangelistic efforts. Meanwhile, get on with your priestly duties and bring them before the Lord in prayer.
Monday – Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
And he who is wise wins souls.
Tuesday – Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Wednesday – Psalm 126:6
He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Thursday – James 5:20
Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Friday – Daniel 12:3
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Saturday – Luke 10:2
And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Sunday – John 4:35
Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.
All scriptures are quoted from the New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995).
By Pastor Clarence Goh
