EXPOSITION:
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.” – 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
What an interesting description of the New Testament believer. Indeed, this is our true identity in Christ Jesus. It is, however, important to note, that just as God instructed Moses to set apart his brother Aaron and his sons to serve Him (Exodus 28:1), so has He set us apart unto Himself, to be light unto the World. And again, just as Aaron and his sons were given a new garment to depict their new state, so has God also put on us a new garment to depict our new identity; a garment that reflects His very righteousness. And we have a key responsibility to keep this garment as sacred as it is.
LIFE APPLICATION:
Jesus in his message to the Church in Sardis, warned the Church regarding the state in which they found themselves – “they had a reputation of being alive, but they were dead”. We, however, read that, among the lot in the Church were some others who had kept their garments pure. They had maintained their integrity and eschewed evil; they had not complied with the abounding errors and corruptions of their day but had exercised themselves to keep their conscience void of offence towards God. Yes, they had kept their priestly garments pure. Child of God, what is the state of your garment?
Remember, you are a royal priest, a holy nation; “therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:17). This is always possible, with the enabling power of the Holy Spirit; for it is He, who works in us, both to will and to do, according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13).