In 1 Peter 2, Peter says that just as Israel was, we - Christ-believers and the Church - are also a chosen people. In Christ, we share a single spiritual Father so we are one “people” even though we come from different backgrounds and from all over the world. In that same way, we are a "holy nation" – a specific group of people called out and set apart from all others.
All of us, as Christians, are a royal priesthood as well. In Israel, under the Law, one tribe was given the task of serving as priests and acting as mediators between God and the rest of the nation. Very few people held the honor and responsibility of getting to come into God's presence. But through Christ, all believers are priests who have direct access to God the Father. We need no other mediator or go-between to go to God because of what Christ did on the cross.
Because of this, we are God’s people in a very real way. We belong to him. He has made us to declare his praises. That's more than just a natural response to our Father's grace and mercy, or something we do out of obligation. Declaring God's greatness is one reason for our existence. When we praise him, we fulfill our purpose. He has called us out of the darkness of a meaningless life and an eternity apart from him, and into his wonderful light.
Discussion/Reflection Question: Spend some time in prayer to reflect on your identity as part of a chosen people. How does this identity change the way you approach God in prayer?
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Susan Humphreys
Derek Works